Re: GMs say Pierce no longer untouchable

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky@xxxxxxxxxx>]

I disagree.  I knew going in that Pierce wasn't a leader,
and that he was an all-pro basketball player.  I still know
that.  You knew both of these things too, Mark.  I wouldn't
trade Pierce for anyone except another legit, proven superstar.

Josh

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Berry, Mark S" <berrym@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <celtics@xxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 12:25 PM
Subject: Ford: GMs say Pierce no longer untouchable


> The bulk of this is a rehash of the Pierce quotes after the Portland
> game. The interesting tidbit, which I think will surprise no one on this
> list, is the mention that "rumblings" from other GMs suggest Pierce is
> no longer untouchable.
> 
> 
> 
> My belief in Pierce is shaken more and more as this season unfolds.
> Watch him during the games. How can he possibly call out teammates,
> coaches or management when he's going through the motions out there -
> and that's exactly what he's doing. Pierce desperately needs a fiery
> leader on the floor with him and a tough, disciplined coach on the
> bench. Maybe Ainge can fill those holes and salvage Pierce. The more
> likely scenario is Ainge sees how Pierce is handling this season (badly,
> and Ainge intimated as much the other day), and he moves him during the
> offseason. That's what I'd do.
> 
> 
> 
> For who? That's the hard part. Kobe in a sign-and-trade? Maybe it's a
> combination of players and picks. By all accounts, the Bulls are in the
> market for a star swingman. Would a package of Hinrich, Chandler and the
> Bulls' No. 1 pick work for either team? I honestly don't know. But I
> know this: This season hasn't been a complete loss. We've learned
> something about Paul Pierce.
> 
> 
> 
> Mark
> 
> 
> 
> P.S. Steve Oulette, great take on rebounding. It's mystifying to me. If
> this team slips away and we go into the offseason without an idea of
> what Brandon Hunter can do in game situations, it will be a tragedy.
> Maybe he's a garbage time player. Maybe. But let's find out. We know
> what McCarty and Jones bring. We don't know about Brandon Hunter yet.
> Let's find out. As good as he is in limited minutes, I'd like to see him
> when he builds some confidence. I'd like to see him with a little
> swagger.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Pierce grumbling in Boston: There was a lot of rumbling in GM
>             circles before the trade deadline on Thursday that Celtics
> star Paul
>             Pierce wasn't untouchable anymore. With Danny Ainge
> completely
>             overhauling the Celtics, Pierce has suffered the most, and
> his
>             grumbling has gotten more vocal in the past few weeks.
> 
>             Pierce blasted his teammates, and more subtly Ainge, after
> the
>             Celtics were blown out in Portland on Saturday.
> 
> 
>             "We don't have no continuity on defense," Pierce told the
> Boston
>             Globe. "Guys don't know what they're doing. We're just not
> playing
>             smart. You just don't give yourself a chance. We went away
> from all
>             the things we learned in training camp, regardless of the
> coaching
>             change and everything. We went away from everything that we
> learned,
>             every concept that we've done. We're just throwing it out
> the
>             window.
> 
> 
>             "Things changed. Personnel's changed. Coaching's changed.
> New
>             concepts. It's hard to do when you've got a young team,
> eight or
>             nine different players, and you try to change things in
> midseason.
>             It's difficult. I mean, you guys are watching the same thing
> I see."
> 
> 
> 
>             Ainge claims he understands the frustration from Pierce and
> the
>             fans, who have begun chanting "Fire Ainge" at the Fleet
> Center.
>             "Everybody's frustrated," said Ainge. "But I think I'm in a
> position
>             where the plan and vision has not been lost on me. But the
>             short-term plan and frustration is not fun for anyone to go
> through.
>             I anticipated when Jim O'Brien resigned that there was the
>             possibility of it being a long season. I would never use the
> [term]
>             lost season, because I think there are still things to do.
> There are
>             things every single player can get better at."
> 
> 
>             The challenge for the Celtics is how far off the future
> actually is.
>             There's a decent chance they'll lose starting center Mark
> Blount in
>             free agency this summer. The Celtics won't have cap room to
> make a
>             major free-agent signing. They will have their mid-level
> exception
>             and, if they win the Vin Baker arbitration, they'll have the
> money
>             to use it. The team also has three first-round draft picks
> this
>             year, but with two of those in the late 20s, it's unlikely
> they'll
>             find a player who is able to come in and contribute right
> away. That
>             means the Celtics might be in the rebuilding mode for the
> long haul,
>             something Pierce apparently isn't up for.