Not the point, but the POINTS...

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Several people had wondered, following the departure of Antoine Walker, how 
the C's would make up the loss of his scoring.  I've heard a few 
notions--players stepping up--which we have seen, and Vin Baker returning 
from the near-dead--which we have ALSO seen.

But to my memory--and I KNOW someone will be quick to correct me--people 
have not discussed the most obvious source of additional scoring:

Paul Pierce.

Ok, before Lance has a coronary, hear me out.  Last year, Pierce went to 
the free throw line--a LOT.  Putting aside for a moment whether he deserved 
to go, etc.  Consider this: on many of those trips he was shooting two free 
throws because the style of offense dictated that Pierce somehow dribble 
through half the defense to get to the hoop.

But now, the fast break--IF IT IS CONSISTENTLY DONE--will allow Paul easier 
looks.  He'll be facing single coverage, not triple teams, most 
nights.  That means he is more likely to make the shot when he is 
fouled.  In those cases, he is going for his third point of the play, not two.

Presuming his free throw shooting holds up, that means that his scoring 
will be more effective without him having to force his offense.  Each trip 
to the basket holds a realistic potential to generate 50% more points that 
last season.  Think of the possibilities!

I realize that this is based on a few things happening:
1. Pierce stops forcing his offense.  He's made progress, but has a ways to go.
2. Pierce takes a page from Baker's book.  Vin's shot selection is great so 
far.  And his passing has been good.  Paul should look and learn from 
this--as should Banks and James, before they take another idiotic outside 
jumper.
3. Pierce continues to get calls and make his free throws.
4. The other guys pick and choose when to give him the ball--only when they 
do not have an opening.  no more of this holding the pumpkin for 17 seconds 
and then expecting Pierce to bail them out every time.
Every person in the building anticipated passes to Pierce in New 
Orleans.  We have to start passing to the other players occasionally, or 
they'll never leave Paul open.

I think Pierce has realized there's a golden opportunity to enhance his own 
game by simply including his teammates more on the offense.

We will now pause as someone administers CPR to the president of the Paul 
Pierce Fan Club.  :>)))))

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
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