Another reason for trading Pierce

[Steve Ouellette]

The best player always gets blamed when a team struggles. Paul Pierce is no more bringing down the Celtics than Kevin Garnett is killing the Timberwolves or Chris Bosh is hobbling the Raptors or Yao Ming is holding back the Rockets. 

The Cs can get to the promised land with Pierce, but they need more help around him. Take the two Wallaces away from the Pistons and suddenly Chauncy Billups and Rip Hamilton aren't "winners" anymore. 

I see very little chance that the Celts can deal Pierce this year and get another similar caliber player back. Luol Deng and Ben Gordon won't ever get to Pierce's level, and while I think there's more talent in this draft than some people do, I don't see  anyone whose upside is higher than Pierce's present. 

Excuse me if I'm not anxious to give up on this season already and then hope that they're awful enough -- and lucky enough with the ping pong balls -- to get a prime player next year.

Steve O


---- JOHN LYELL <jlyell at verizon.net> wrote: 
> Actually it isn't a joke and a strategic move, and if you haven't noticed, we have been in rebuilding mode for 20 freakin years and Paul Pierce ain't taking us to the promised land.
>   
>