Tuesday, February 7th, 2012 at 10:30 am  |  20 responses

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.’”

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  • 23 Posted: Feb.7 at 10:48 am
    I don’t like how the headline reads “greatest scorer”. 2nd all time leading scorer would have been my choice of words. Paul is a warrior, he’s been up and down with this franchise and underrated imo. but I can’t help but think of how many of his points came from free throws after a flop….

  • hulahula Posted: Feb.7 at 11:13 am
    paul pierce still the heart and soul of celtics

  • Joe cap Posted: Feb.7 at 11:14 am
    I live in Boston and have followed both players
    Paul is great, but Bird was a higher level all around.
    Before birds back issues he was routinely having
    40pt nights along with 9 assts and 10 rebounds..

  • robb Posted: Feb.7 at 12:14 pm
    I hate Pierce but the man is a great player, very smart and very competitive.

  • Shifty Posted: Feb.7 at 1:42 pm
    Now that is the truth

  • ClydeSays Posted: Feb.7 at 1:55 pm
    Props to Pierce for being consistently productive through injury, lousy lottery teams & hopeless seasons. A lot of (uh, most) of All Star players would have mailed it in season after season, but P2 gave it his all. He won’t catch Hondo, but it would be cool to see him try.

  • smoove Posted: Feb.7 at 3:49 pm
    @23 EVERY great player flops and makes their money at the line…out of jordan 28k points just think how much of those were freethrows. and he didnt have to flop , he got calls if you looked at him wrong.

  • wishuwould247 Posted: Feb.7 at 4:07 pm
    I love Paul Pierce but I’m with Doc. I wouldn’t want to compare him with Bird. Both are Celtic Greats

  • BlackPhantom Posted: Feb.7 at 4:08 pm
    He still isn’t anywhere near Larry Bird when it comes to basketball.

  • COGGIE13 Posted: Feb.7 at 4:37 pm
    @Smoove, Jordan has 33k

  • justopinion Posted: Feb.7 at 4:43 pm
    Just to put the free throw thing in perspective, over the first 13 years of their careers, peirce had a 2000 pt advantage, so the flopping comment does hold a bit of weight. Even so, both are great. Just opinion

  • datboyjojo Posted: Feb.7 at 4:52 pm
    greatest step back jumper of all time!!! im not downing larry but how many hall of famers did he play with?? if pierce had allen and garnett his whole career we would be talking about one of the greatest teams ever

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Feb.7 at 5:50 pm
    ^ Co-sign.

  • Teddy-the-Bear Posted: Feb.7 at 5:51 pm
    Kevin McHale or Paul Pierce on the All-Time list? I’d still go with McHale, but Pierce has had a HOF career so far and doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

  • BlackPhantom Posted: Feb.7 at 6:49 pm
    @teddy, McHale.

  • flipnoyce Posted: Feb.7 at 9:09 pm
    Much respect to Pierce for sticking around for all those times being in the slump. It paid off. Let’s hope you still have more left in the tank to break other records. Congrats Truth, for passing Bird in points. You’re one of last the dying breed to play for a single organization.

  • Justin G. Posted: Feb.8 at 3:16 am
    It took Pierce 33 more games to do it and there is no comparison between the two. Bird was a much better player. I like the notion that the headline should read 2nd leading scorer instead of greatest scorer. I don’t call anyone that gets carried out on a wheelchair to the back or flops all over the place to get to the line a warrior either. Jordan may have gotten star treatment with some phantom calls but so did Pierce and that’s on top of the flopping.

  • Stansberry Posted: Feb.8 at 10:41 am
    First off Celtic fan for life. Pierce is great, but I just can’t compare him with Bird. Bird was clutch. There is something about Bird.

  • Kelly Posted: Feb.8 at 5:30 pm
    Paul Is a great player stop the negative comments No need to compare the player.
    Congrats on your hard work and giving us such a fun season thus far lets go all the way

  • vic bullock Posted: Feb.8 at 9:31 pm
    Had to dig deep to see the real Hondo is #1, run john run, him and
    Jerry West about the same points 25-26K. W/O the 3 point, game
    changed, scored as many in 3 qtrs as all game now. Kobe gets a 3rd of
    ‘em ea game

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