Pierce wants new minutes plan

["Stephen Beauregard" <sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pierce wants new minutes plan
By Mark Murphy
Saturday, October 18, 2003

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Paul Pierce [news], like Antoine Walker [news], was
worn down physically by the time the Celtics were eliminated by the Nets in
the second round of the playoffs last year.

     Both Celtics captains paid a clear price for their season-long gorge on
minutes. Walker finished fifth in the league with an average of 41.5 minutes
per game.

     Pierce, also in the top five for most of the year, wasn't far behind with
an average of 39.2.

     Both responded during the offseason with variations in their preparation
- Pierce with a weight regimen that has added more muscle, and Walker by
shedding approximately 20 pounds.

     But even with these changes, and with director of basketball operations
Danny Ainge adding presumed depth to the lineup, Pierce wants his minutes to
decrease.

     Where coach Jim O'Brien has set a goal of limiting his captains to 38
minutes per game this season, Pierce would like to see that number dip as low
as 35.

     ``The fact with playing that kind of time is that we also don't miss a
lot of games,'' said Pierce. ``You take a look at the other people at the top
of the league in (average minutes), they don't usually play a full season.

     ``But we're playing each and every night, including all of the
back-to-back situations,'' he said. ``Physically it's there, but you don't
always see (the effects) until you go into back-to-back games.''

     Some teams are deep enough to give players a needed break.

     The Nets' Jason Kidd, for example, made his exhibition debut against the
Celtics last night as the result of a plan by coach Byron Scott to limit the
point guard to three exhibition games.

     O'Brien's hopes are pinned on production from a less talented lineup
that, through the four exhibition losses heading into last night's game, has
not lived up to expectations.

     From youth at point guard to overall defensive mediocrity, there has
rarely been time for Pierce and Walker to catch a break. The lineup certainly
hasn't made up for Pierce's descent into foul trouble the last two games.

     ``That's what we need - consistency from the other guys,'' said Pierce,
who turned reflective when asked what he expected from the rest of the team.

     ``We just have to let everyone know what we're trying to build on,'' he
said. ``We've put a lot of high expectations on these guys, from the rookies
to the guys who have been here for a while. We just want to make sure that
everyone grows. So far we've been to the first and second rounds of the
playoffs. Now we want to make a move towards a championship.''

     Pierce's move, short of what he has done on the floor, was to change his
offseason approach.

     His role with the 2002 national team in the World Championships
eliminated what little summer Pierce had two years ago. The time crunch taught
him an important lesson.

     ``I slowed down this summer,'' he said. ``The last two (offseasons) were
like a whirlwind. I played in five summer leagues, as well as the World
Championships. So the best thing I could do was to slow down. And that's all a
part of growing up. I just talked to other players, like Magic (Johnson), and
they told me about what's involved in taking care of yourself.

     ``I want to be more productive, and more rested late in the season,'' he
continued. ``There's a lot of long minutes once you get going. It can all wear
on you eventually. So you have to take care of yourself now.''
Thanks,

Steve
sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx