Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 at 8:00 am  |  100 responses

Top 50: Paul Pierce, no. 17

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Adam Fleischer

Growing up, whenever I was at a Celtics game at the TD Banknorth Garden or the Fleet Center or whatever it was corporately named at the given moment, I would rush down to SePaul Piercection 20 with about a minute left. I say down because this was, almost without fail, closer than where I was sitting. Whatever friends I was with and I would get to the section, situated perfectly above the tunnel leading to the locker rooms, and shout out the names of players as they walked byhoping for some level of returned acknowledgment.

On good days, I’d tell New Jersey Net Brian Scalabrine that I didn’t like him (maybe in different terms than that). On great days, I’d catch a towel or a Rodney Rodgers armband (hope the recovery is progressing, Rodney). The best days, and there were two of these, were reserved for Paul Pierce’s headband.

What I felt after ripping that small green cloth out of the air and away from those around me was pure thrill. I was thrilled that I was holding a sweat drenched game worn headband from an NBA player, from the star of my home team.

See, at that time, somewhere around the ’02-03 season if my memory serves, that’s exactly what Paul Pierce was: the star of the Boston Celtics. He was slowly moving away from being a star on the teamalong with Sure, I’ll Shoot This Three aka Antoine Walkerto being the star. Toine’s trade days before the next season solidified the role for Pierce.

With each year, he was putting new things in his game. Upping his free throw attempts. Expanding his range. Adding a now lethal stepback. Increasing his focus on D. Every year, Pierce seems to find a way to get better. Sometimes it’s clear, sometimes it’s subtle. In recent times, it’s been on the low.

Last week, Pierce launched “The Truth on Health Campaign” at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. His plan is to encourage kids to eat healthy and stay active. Like he does on the court, number 34 is leading by example off of it. He stated in an interview recently that his off-season was “real productive” and that he’s “coming back in great shape,” adding “I’ve changed my lifestyle to eat better, to be more healthy.” Granted, most dudes would probably say this when talking about their summers, but I bet you can count on him being in peak form when things tip in at month’s end.

He’ll be a year and a half older than he was when he was named Finals MVP. He’ll have logged almost 17,000 more minutes than when he averaged 26, 7 and 4 in that ’02-03 season. But he’ll still be that contact creating and absorbing, big shot hitting guy that he has been year after year. And when it comes down to it, there’s few dudes that you’d prefer on your team than someone who so evidently gives it all for the squad like Pierce.

Paul is probably the only player whose entire career I’ve been able to truly follow firsthand during my lifetime. He’s not now and never has been my favorite, but he’s the one guy whose game I’ve been able to watch on a nightly basis since his rookie year. In a time when free agency, trade demands, and constant retooling is the norm, Pierce remains one of the very few players who has stayed with the same team for the last ten plus years.

The total? Six. Yup, only six guys: Kobe, Tim Duncan, Dirk, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and the timeless Jeff Foster. And Pierce.

That’s some serious stuff.

Now, it’s not that this longevity necessarily has some correlation to how good you are. I gave up statistics after high school. And Jeff Foster’s in the group. But it’s a fact definitely worth noting. It shows consistency, reliability, and an investment by the organization in the player and by the player in the organization. It’s no coincidence that two thirds of those players are some of the best of this generation.

The Diesel put it best back in 2001.

“Paul Pierce is the motherf*cking truth. Quote me on that and don’t take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn’t know he could play like this.”

By now, I think we all have a pretty good idea.

Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ’09-10 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jake Appleman, Brett Ballantini, Russ Bengtson, Toney Blare, Shannon Booher, Myles Brown, Franklyn Calle, Gregory Dole, Emry DowningHall, Jonathan Evans, Adam Fleischer, Jeff Fox, Sherman Johnson, Aaron Kaplowitz, John Krolik, Holly MacKenzie, Ryne Nelson, Chris O’Leary, Ben Osborne, Alan Paul, Susan Price, Sam Rubenstein, Khalid Salaam, Kye Stephenson, Adam Sweeney, Vincent Thomas, Tzvi Twersky, Justin Walsh, Joey Whelan, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

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  • http://slamonline.com Brad Long

    (shakes head at kobesbestfriend)

  • http://www2.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/jstiglitz/ PANAGIOTIS VASILOPOULOS

    @kobesbestfriend…..:he is,just slightly, but don’t say such things here, you get small kids confused.

  • http://slamonline tealish

    My projection for players who will be ranked too high from here on out:
    1. Melo – definitely not top 10 material. But since he just got a cover…
    2. Howard
    3. Durant – I can see SLAM putting him top 6

  • http://www.in-n-outnba.blogspot.com Lucas

    This is “truly” where he belongs. Pierce has the top 5 nicest mid-range in the NBA

  • http://www.boogiewilliams.com Boing Dynasty aka make it reign aka flightschool aka the ghetto Kornel David

    Paul Pierce is a much better player than Caron.. and Melo and Durant too for that matter. He’s the 2nd best SF in the league. Ppg is not everything. He affects the game in more ways that KD can even imagine at this point in his career.

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Moose

    You guys know what I think about this.

  • http://www2.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/jstiglitz/ PANAGIOTIS VASILOPOULOS

    take it easy on Durant…by the end of next year all of you are going to be deeply in love with him…you adore numbers and Durant was easily averaging over 30 serious(meaning: not with A.I. “efficiency”) ppg before he got injured….

  • ysoserious

    It kind of funny how overrated Paul Pierce became when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen came around. The same man who had only two winning season in the weak east before 2007-2008 season. It must be that finales MVP Which rightly belong to Ray Allen who had the better serious, Am missing something..

  • http://slam Bigbeats’96

    Im a die hard lakers fan and theres no doubt i hate paul pierce for beating my lakers back in 2008 but the truth is the guy can ball. He’s been consistently good in this leauge for ten years on the same squad and nows arguably the leader and go to guy for one of the top 3 teams in this league. His best days stats wise are behind him but i see him having one or two more years competing for the title but to no avail, Kobe and squad out west too talented and younger than aging celts L.A. back to back to back! Yeah i said it.

  • http://slam Bigbeats’96

    Im a die hard lakers fan and theres no doubt i hate paul pierce for beating my lakers back in 2008 but the truth is the guy can ball Pierce has a sweet touch from outside plays good defense especially in the fourth qtr and is unguardable one on one from the top of the key. He’s been consistently good in this leauge for ten years on the same squad and nows arguably the leader and go to guy for one of the top 3 teams in this league. His best days stats wise are behind him but i see him having one or two more years competing for the title but to no avail, Kobe and squad out west too talented and younger than aging celts L.A. back to back to back! Yeah i said it.

  • http://slam Bigbeats’96

    Im a lakers fan but Paul pierce can ball. He can shoot the three or take anyone one on one at the top of the key, he plays great defense especially in the fourth qtr. He has been consitently god for ten years on the same squad and is now the leader and go to guy for one of the leagues top 3 teams. His stats are as high as they’ll go but he will continue to compete for another title for the next one or two years.

  • http://slam Bigbeats’96

    Im a lakers fan but Paul pierce can ball. He can shoot the three or take anyone one on one at the top of the key, he plays great defense especially in the fourth qtr. He has been consitently god for ten years on the same squad and is now the leader and go to guy for one of the leagues top 3 teams. His stats are as high as they’ll go but he will continue to compete for another title for the next one or two years.

  • http://slam Bigbeats’96

    Im a lakers fan but Paul pierce can ball. He can shoot the three or take anyone one on one at the top of the key, he plays great defense especially in the fourth qtr. He has been consitently god for ten years on the same squad and is now the leader and go to guy for one of the leagues top 3 teams. His stats are as high as they’ll go but he will continue to compete for another title for the next one or two years.

  • pdxballer

    isnt this supposed to not be on past performance?
    i like paul pierce and this is the best article ive read about him
    but i was hoping for some stats or something

  • http://www.hibachi20.blogspot.com Hursty

    He looks like he’s in constant pain whenever he’s shooting a jumpshot. Like he’s trying to throw a rock off his chest, or doing a bench press that’s just too heavy.
    Can still ball though. No doubt about his game.

  • http://www.lakers.com Klav

    The man from Inglewood, well dude is the Truth, but I’m still not forgiving dude for flopping in the Finals. I’ll always hate him for that.

  • Steve

    Is Pierce a HOF’er? I am not convinced that he is.

  • Steve

    Nice player, but 2nd tier his entire career except for one month.

  • Teddy-the-Bear

    … Obviously Pierce is a hall-of-famer. Its not even a question right now. His number is going up in the rafters of Boston and his name is getting in that Naismith HOF without a doubt.

  • Steve

    The argument can be mae for his inclusion, but I don’t see how he can be a lock. The HOF should be limited to the best players of a generation and Pierce has never been top 5 in his generation, again with the exception of one month. Very good without being great shouldn’t get you in.

    I agree he will get his numbe retired by the C’s, but that is a different argument altogether.

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com Moose

    Career averages of 22.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.6 steals a game with a .366 three point percentage and a .798 free throw percentage. Eight all-star selections. One ring. One Finals MVP. And…he just might get one this year. I think Pierce is in the Hall of Fame.

  • Steve

    Remember most of those stats were obtained on one man teams. Other players could also put up big stats in the same situation.

    One time all-NBA second team, three times all-NBA third team. NEVER all-NBA first team. Beaten out over the journey by such luminaries as Michael Redd, Eddie Jones, Baron Davis, Sam Cassel, Agent Zero.

    Again can understand the argument for putting him in, but in my eyes he is a good but not great player and having him in diminishes the value of the HOF.

  • Steve

    Fan vote all star selections shouldn’t be used to decide if someone is a HOF’er or not … especially when the player is from a big market.

  • Joe A

    Pierce is definitely a Hall of Famer. Also, he, along with Bernard King, were the biggest omissions from the SLAM Top 50 list from a few months back.

  • rog123

    How can howard be overrated when he is clearly the best center in the league. Top 5 without question. Durant and melo are also top 10 material for sure

  • Furious

    I dont think Pierce is a lock for the HOF, but he definately deserves it more than plenty of the scrubs who get in based on college/international ball only.

  • http://www2.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/jstiglitz/ PANAGIOTIS VASILOPOULOS

    @rog…..:Dirk>Gasol>Duncan>….Pekovic>Splitter>….>SHAQ>…..>Howard>….

  • Gaber

    @ VASILOPOULUS give some love to MING

  • T Money

    Now that we have passed the “Rose is overrated” madness, can we move on to “parker is overrated”?

  • T Money

    I would like to challenge the notion that Paul Pierce is poorly conditioned. Dude is 9th amongst active players in minutes per game, while averaging 22, 6 and 4.

  • http://www2.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/jstiglitz/ PANAGIOTIS VASILOPOULOS

    @Gaber….:i didn’t forget him, when healthy he is somewhere between Duncan and Pekovic….

  • josh

    rog123 Posted: Oct.7 at 12:24 am
    How can howard be overrated when he is clearly the best center in the league. Top 5 without question. Durant and melo are also top 10 material for sure

    I dont think Durrant is top ten…

  • T Money

    Pierce>>>>>Parker

  • Lazarus

    Top 10 no question in my mind. But then again I doubt he will have a top 10 season, probably in cruise control. He will pick it up come playoffs though. I think another finals MVP is on the tables, book it.

  • Furious

    Greek dude, you’re forgetting Sullivan.

  • Shem

    Pierce is 9th among minutes but to be honest when i watch him play, he looks like hes saving his energy for offense. He doesnt look like he has an intensity on defense. I doubt her poorly conditioned because to play in the nba i think the highest body fat % you can have is 7 but i would say hes not as conditioned some other stars like lebron and nash.

  • Shem

    Pierce is 9th among minutes but to be honest when i watch him play, he looks like hes saving his energy for offense. He doesnt look like he has an intensity on defense. I doubt her poorly conditioned because to play in the nba i think the highest body fat % you can have is 7 but i would say hes not as conditioned some other stars like lebron and nash.

  • http://www2.gsb.columbia.edu/faculty/jstiglitz/ PANAGIOTIS VASILOPOULOS

    @Furious&everybody…: I AIN’T FORGETTING NOBODY!!!! i just ain’t writting all the names(there is some space left if you notice). Put Sullivan somewhere after Howard.

  • T Money

    @Shem: Pierce has played on some pretty horrific teams that have needed him to score and distribute excessively to even remain competetive. He has played decent defense when it mattered. Certainly not worse than Dirk, Durant, Parker, Melo and Amare, all of whom are ranked higher.

  • http://hibachi20.blogspot.com DP

    Pierce should have been mid 20′s maybe higher. I see how this ranking goes because he is the soul of this team at times. I hate him but I cannot deny he knows how to put the ball in the hoop. play wit it.

  • http://slamonline.com #10

    Unrelated, but are there any argumentative or persuasive essays regarding the NBA that Slam has wrote? I need to counter one for my english assignment so if someone could help me out with that it’d be appreciated, thanks.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    Yeesh, this is too high for my taste.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    Anyone who think the C’s wouldn’t trade PP for Caron Butler is out of their minds.

  • http://nationofmillions.ca ciolkstar

    That one dribble pull up is murder though… can’t hate on that.

  • tavoris

    ciolkstar, they probably wouldn’t. Butler is nice-and the closest player to Pierce-but he’s not healthy enough to make that a worthwhile trade.

  • http://kkdalfkf@hotmail.com Airfaron

    wow…. seriously…..OVERATED….where was was he on the list 4 yrs ago before they got kg and Ray Allen

  • http://celticknightk3@aol.com Celtic Knight

    PP WILL LET EVERYBODY KNOW THE TRUTH! There are so many haters so I believe they put him on #17 that’s so sad. PP is definately in top 10!

  • what!@>@

    @ Airfaron
    stop hating on the truth before kg and ray came in he was still in the top 20, even more so seeing how he led his team to the playoffs more so than not, and on top of that, he didn’t play like McGrady, but led his team deeper into the playoffs………..

  • Cameron P.

    gotta have him higher than pau at least.. gasol aint got nothin on pierce baby!!! the truth’ll rain em down on himm all day!!! plus, pierce has been stabbedd before.. gasol is just a huge marshmallow who cant take a punch to save his life..

  • rafael

    Paul Pierce is my favorite player since His Airness has first retired. I’ll take him over ball hog Kobe, or Manchild Lebron. He may not be the most athletic out of the bunch but he still put up his numbers.Even the best defender can’t guard him one on one. On his best days they have to triple team him. He might be older with a banged up knee but The Truth is remain with a vengeance for another title.

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