Pierce

["Jim Shane" <jimsshane@xxxxxxxxx>]

Kim,
Thanks your reply.  I think we agree in principle.

Last night's game was a good example of his STAR issue.  He spent the first
half unsuccessfully trying to fit in with the rest of the team and the
second half predictably taking every shot (with Obie's apparent consent).  I
contend we would be better off  if he could balance his game and become a
better all around teammate.

I know he is not Larry Bird but he has shown the ability to rebound, defend
and pass the ball.  In today's NBA, he could become a poor man's version and
still get 20 ppg.  Again, I think he would prefer to be the designated
shooter but I think we would be better if he were less predictable.

Jim

Date: Wed, 19 Nov 2003 16:15:02 -0500
From: Kim Malo <kimmalo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Pierce

At 11:30 AM 11/19/2003, Jim Shane wrote:
>The problem is that Pierce is having trouble not being a STAR, as defined
by
>today's NBA.  He seems to want to make every shot in the fourth quarter so
>he can get credit from his peers for being a STAR.  If he would simply pass
>the ball to the open man he would eventually get the ball back or get an
>assist.  Unfortunately, assists are not for STAR's, only points.

I have my problems with Pierce but FWIW, I think that's pretty unfair. Yes,
I agree that part of his problem is feeling like he should be The Man, but
not strictly for those reasons.

>Pierce should be playing point forward ala Larry Bird.

Er, no. Nothing even close to the court vision and actually isn't as good a
ball handler, although he appears to have worked on both. This strikes me
as an equivalent to saying Tony Delk should be a PG because he's short.
Even though he too has significant problems with court vision.

Besides which, it's playing to his deficiencies vs his best asset on
offense - scoring. He needs to get his head together better about what his
role is so he can stop forcing the wrong things and standing around as a
turnover waiting to happen, then get back to the things that have made him
so good in the past, like driving to the hoop more.

>   On the other end, he should worry about
>rebounding first and let the point guard dribble the ball up the court.

Well no, he should worry about guarding his man first, rebounding second.
And I actually think his defense has been more consistantly good this year
as his offense has slid. While I've said before he's an underrated
rebounder. Sounds like you're confusing him with Walker, since I don't see
a continual battle for who gets to bring the ball upcourt with Pierce and I
see no reason for a problem with his commitment to defensive rebounding

Kim