FanPost

January Has Been A Month Of Struggles For Paul Pierce

On the season, the Captain has averaged 19.3 points, and 5.6 rebounds, shooting 42.7% from the field, and 36.8% from 3-point range, in 33.1 minutes.

Through the month of November, Pierce has averaged 18.9 points, and 5.8 rebounds, shooting 42.3% from the field, and 39.7% from 3-point range. Through the month of November, the Celtics had a record of 9-6 (that's about a winning percentage of 60%. It would be a 56.3% winning percentage if you include the loss to the Heat in the end of October.)

During the month of December, Pierce averaged 20.8 points, and 4.9 rebounds, shooting 42.3% from the field, and 39.7% from 3-point range. This was arguably his best month of basketball, but this was also a month where the Celtics had a measly 5-9 record (this is a 35.7% winning percentage).

During the month of January, Pierce has averaged 17 points, and 6.4 rebounds shooting 41.5% from the field, and 33.9% from 3-point range. Pierce is also shooting just 64.7% from the free throw line for month of January. Unfortunately that's not all. For his last 5 games Pierce has been averaging 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, shooting 36.9% from the field, and 23.1% from 3-point range. (The Celtics are 3-2 during this 5-game stretch, and 6-3 overall for the month of January).

Paul Pierce needs to start turning into Captain Consistency. He'll still be the leading scorer for this team for the remainder of the season in my opinion, but his shooting percentages have got to pick up. Paul Pierce is too valuable to the team for him to be shooting so poorly (especially from the charity stripe).

Trading him is something I simply can't advocate. Paul Pierce needs to retire a Boston Celtic. I'm open to the idea of bringing him to the bench though. It would also give Jeff Green a chance to show what he's truly made of, Celtic fans have been waiting for Iron Man to show up consistently as well, and so I think bringing Pierce to the bench could help.

Even though I wouldn't mind the idea of Pierce being benched, I don't see it as realistic. Pierce is going through a frustrating stretch as it is, and I'm not sure if being benched will sit well with him.

What are your thoughts? Can Pierce break out of this slump? Should Pierce be traded? Should Pierce be benched?

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