Paul Pierce to Pass Larry Bird as 2nd Greatest Scorer in Celtics History

Paul Pierce is just 10 points shy of leap-froggin ahead of Larry Legend, placing him just behind John Havliceck on the all-time scoring list for the Boston Celtics. Pierce should reach the milestone tonight against the Bobcats. From the Herald: “Bird retired with 21,791 regular-season points. John Havlicek, the all-time franchise leader, is a galaxy away with 26,395, which remains the 12th-highest regular-season total in NBA history. But in strictly offensive terms, a question remains of exactly how Pierce fits in with his forebearers — those who were strictly Celtics. Bird and Sam Jones were better pure shooters. Kevin McHale had the unparalleled post-up game, and Bob Cousy remains the franchise’s single most creative force. But could the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week, with everything from his in-between game, 3-point threat and unique ability to reach the rim and get fouled, be the best pure scorer of them all? The Herald put that question to Bird last weekend, and the Pacers president paused a long time before answering. He, after all, may head that group himself. He’s about to be passed on an iconic list, and that’s never a comfortable realization. When Bird finally answered, he referenced the man who still looms over them all — the ageless Havlicek. ‘I didn’t watch Havlicek play and all of the guys who came before like (Bill) Russell,’ Bird said. “But Paul has been able to do it in a variety of ways. What the guy can give you in the offensive end is remarkable.’ But not so remarkable that he stands alone — at least not in this building. Doc Rivers, who played against Bird and has coached Pierce in his prime, wanted no part of a debate. ‘Something I stay out of,’ Rivers said. ‘Paul has been great and deserves everything he gets, and Larry was great, but I don’t ever compare guys. (But) Paul is more of a scorer. He can pass, and he’s also a great rebounder. Larry did everything. It was great (for this franchise) to have them both. That’s the way I look at it.'”