Is Paul Pierce's career underrated?

[PP34]

Take a look at his numbers.

- A peak of around 23-25ppg, 6-7rpg and 3-4apg.
- He's still putting up 20ppg at age 35 and he is capable of those numbers above on the big stage.
- His consistent and I'm by no means saying he's up there with Kobe and Duncan when I say this but he has been just as consistent as them from 2000-2012.
- His best teammates during his prime were Antoine Walker and Joe Johnson. The Celtics teams he led were full of horrible players.
- He dragged the Celtics to the ECF with a horrible supporting cast against the Nets.
- He's second all time on the Celtics scoring list. That is saying something.

Again I'm not implying anything by comparing him to Kobe, I'm merely using Kobe as the example as many consider him the best player of the 00s. Here's something to consider:

While Pierce never put up 35ppg in a season, his points per game stats aren't far off Kobe's. 22ppg to 25ppg, Kobe's way. You also have to remember the teams Kobe has played with.

Kobe is a great player but he's always never going to be up there with Kareem, Magic, Bird etc because of the guys he has been fortunate enough to play with. Shaq, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and excellent role players. Please don't try to convince me that those guys have no major impact on Kobe's championships. Give Pierce, Shaq in 2002 and they win the title.

Now I'm going stop otherwise, I'll sound like a huge homer.

Pierce in my honest and unbiased opinion has never gotten enough recognition for the excellent, efficient and consistent career he has had.

He became the leader of the Celtics and took them to the ECF against the Nets with a terrible team. He was happy to give up shots, pick his spots and make plays when KG and Allen came along. Don't underestimate how important that was to the Celtics. Without that unselfishness the Celtics don't get near a title. He is now slowing up but he can still be a force on any night.

My argument is that most consider Pierce to be a good player and that's it. Probably someone just cracking the top 50. Should he be higher? In the 40s, 30s or lower? I think so.

Discuss.

 

[Footypie32]

But, he plays for Boston...

 

[PP34]

But, he plays for Boston...

Your point?

 

[sblack]

He's rated perfectly fine imo. Where do you see him rated atm by the public majority? And where do you think he should be rated?

 

[Footypie32]

Your point?

Haha, jokes. I've always rated him. He has been a great player for Boston to build around. He is limited athletically, but makes up for it with talent and smarts. I don't think he is the kind of star that could drag his team to a Championship, but is a great team man, who hopefully spends his whole career with Boston. There are very few players that are synonymous with there team: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, Lebron Ja... um, scrap that one.

Just a pity he plays for Boston...

 

[PP34]

He's rated perfectly fine imo. Where do you see him rated atm by the public majority? And where do you think he should be rated?

Look, I haven't really seen any new lists or articles about him lately, but in the last two years or so, he tends to be rated by most at around 45-50.

As for where he should be rated now, I'm going to have a look at Simmons list and SLAM's list and I'll post something later today.

Off the top of my head, you could look at his numbers and accomplishments and say there's no reason why you can't debate him being in the low 40s or even in the 30s. I'll provide some evidence later today, hopefully.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Absolutely, wildly underrated. I'd add more but I don't really feel like sticking up for a Boston actress.

 

[Ron]

I thin k he is. He and Allen led the Celtics to a championship with a squad of solid role players and hanger ons.

Very good player, not quite top shelf, but just below it.

 

[nufan]

Again I'm not implying anything by comparing him to Kobe, I'm merely using Kobe as the example as many consider him the best player of the 00s. Here's something to consider:

While Pierce never put up 35ppg in a season, his points per game stats aren't far off Kobe's. 22ppg to 25ppg, Kobe's way. You also have to remember the teams Kobe has played with.

So the fact Kobe has played with great players and still averaged a higher PPG works in Pierce's favor in this debate? (you brought up Kobe so I will use it as a point of reference)
One would think in the shitty Celtics days that pierce went through as the number 1 guy he should have bumped his average a lot higher.

Kobe is a great player but he's always never going to be up there with Kareem, Magic, Bird etc because of the guys he has been fortunate enough to play with. Shaq, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and excellent role players. Please don't try to convince me that those guys have no major impact on Kobe's championships. Give Pierce, Shaq in 2002 and they win the title.

Can you please be srs for a second? You do know magic and Kareem played on the same team with James Worthy etc, and Bird had Mchale, Parish, DJ etc. I am confused by this argument as a whole. Next thing you'll be telling me Jordans career was tarnished because he had Scottie helping him out all the time.

Pierce in my honest and unbiased opinion has never gotten enough recognition for the excellent, efficient and consistent career he has had.

Interesting choice of words.

He became the leader of the Celtics and took them to the ECF against the Nets with a terrible team. He was happy to give up shots, pick his spots and make plays when KG and Allen came along. Don't underestimate how important that was to the Celtics. Without that unselfishness the Celtics don't get near a title. He is now slowing up but he can still be a force on any night

Can't and won't disagree with this, although it does shoot previous statements in the foot.

My argument is that most consider Pierce to be a good player and that's it. Probably someone just cracking the top 50. Should he be higher? In the 40s, 30s or lower? I think so.

Of All time? God no, I rate him very highly and love what he does, actually one of my favorite players to watch. But a top 50 player of all time? Nah. That being said not being top 50 isn't a blight against him. Been some pretty decent players over the years.

 

[Super Hans]

A little bit, top 10 player for the decade for sure.

 

[peternorth]

I thin k he is. He and Allen led the Celtics to a championship with a squad of solid role players and hanger ons.

Very good player, not quite top shelf, but just below it.

 

[peternorth]

Kobe is a great player but he's always never going to be up there with Kareem, Magic, Bird etc because of the guys he has been fortunate enough to play with. Shaq, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and excellent role players. Please don't try to convince me that those guys have no major impact on Kobe's championships. Give Pierce, Shaq in 2002 and they win the title.

oh dear.

Now I'm going stop otherwise, I'll sound like a huge homer.

shouldve started with that.

My argument is that most consider Pierce to be a good player and that's it. Probably someone just cracking the top 50. Should he be higher? In the 40s, 30s or lower? I think so.

Discuss.

didnt you once declare kg to be a top 10 player of all time too? Vincent Chase or Look2Me4Guidance confirm?

 

[peternorth]

i think everyone can see that pierce has been one of the better players since his arrival.

unfortunately people will point to his wheelchair act whenever remembering his career.

 

[BLPC08]

i think everyone can see that pierce has been one of the better players since his arrival.

unfortunately people will point to his wheelchair act whenever remembering his career.

And forget about the stabbing incident where he was nearly killed? I'll remember him as a great of the game. Efficient, smart and a matchwinner against the best.

 

[Look2Me4Guidance]

oh dear.



shouldve started with that.



didnt you once declare kg to be a top 10 player of all time too? Vincent Chase or Look2Me4Guidance confirm?

I believe according to nbaman1 Ray Allen drifted considerably during the off season?

 

[RoosterLad]

He's one of the best shooters in NBA history, just ask him.

 

[PP34]

They would've destroyed the Nets and they would've had a big chance against the Spurs or whoever would've made it if the Lakers weren't as good later. I don't see how that's being a homer. You're severely estimating how good Shaq was and how important he was to those first three titles.

As for his all time rank. I'll compare his numbers with some others after all of my basketball duties today. They're very similar to some that get ranked a lot higher.

 

[Vincent Chase]

didnt you once declare kg to be a top 10 player of all time too? Vincent Chase or Look2Me4Guidance confirm?

18th brah

1. Michael Jordan
2. Bill Russell
3. Wilt Chamberlain
4. Shaquille O'Neal
5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
6. Oscar Robertson
7. Magic Johnson
8. Larry Bird
9. Jerry West
10. Hakeem Olajuwon
11. Tim Duncan
12. Kobe Bryant
13. Moses Malone
14. Elgin Baylor
15. John Havlicek
16. Julius Erving
17. Isiah Thomas
18. Kevin Garnett
19. Karl Malone
20. Charles Barkley

I believe according to nbaman1 Ray Allen drifted considerably during the off season?

coincidentally, Jason Terry has shot up the rankings.

 

[PP34]

Terry is nowhere near top 50.

 

[BLPC08]

Rofl at that list. Bill Russell as #2, you've got to be kidding me!

 

[PP34]

Rofl at that list. Bill Russell as #2, you've got to be kidding me!

Prove me wrong.

 

[peternorth]

chamberlain or magic or kareem at 2.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

chamberlain or magic or kareem at 2.

Might as well throw in Baylor while you're at it.

 

[nufan]

Might as well throw in Baylor while you're at it.

Rambis

 

[OrdinaryJoel]

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