non-KG/Gorman question

[Eric Albert]

>mark at 10thumbs.org wrote:
>
>I was wondering this after watching the 1st half of the MIA game and was
>reminded of it when reading Jeff's post on him over at Celticsblog:
>
>
>Is Paul Pierce a Hall-of-Famer?

I wanted to get back to this question. After watching the last game, against the 76ers, I'd say, "If he keeps playing like that, he is."

We've seen flashes, brief ones, of this Paul in past years. This year, we're seeing it more and more. And that last game may be the best I've seen him play as a pro.

He forced it *once*. Otherwise, he was spectacular. HE TOOK WHAT THE DEFENSE OFFERED AND MADE THEM PAY. Power drives. Gorgeous assists (a dozen of them, over half the C's total) that were completely under control: see the floor, make the move, make the right pass.

I haven't really appreciated Paul until this year. I've always seen him as a guy with heart, courage, toughness, and a burning desire to win. But also a guy who didn't understand what it takes to win, or wasn't willing to do it. In some ways, a much more talented Toine.

I was wrong.

Paul sounds smart in interviews and looks smart on the floor. He says the right things; he does the right things. I don't think he suddenly gained 15 IQ points -- he really *was* dragged down by having young, less-talented players around him.

Paul is a guy you need to win a championship. Garnett helps this team a hundred ways, but I see no evidence he'll take the big shot. R. Allen will take it, but jump shots don't win playoff games. (OK, *maybe* if you're Michael Jordan.)

Pierce is the one who will take it to the hoop, get hammered, take it to the hoop, get hammered, take it to the hoop... Now that he doesn't have the entire opposing team defending him, Pierce is the one who can *force* points.

Of course we need Garnett. Of course we need Allen. And, wow, do we need Posey. But those guys aren't winning anything without Pierce. He's the stud; this is his team.

-- Eric