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**Premier** · 04-30-2005, 10:05 AM

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..... Touchy subject: Pierce is calling for the ball

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By Shira Springer, Globe Staff | April 30, 2005

INDIANAPOLIS -- For the Celtics, it was a cruel case of be careful what you wish for. Before Boston learned Antoine Walker would be suspended for Game 4 tonight against the Pacers, Paul Pierce said he wanted the ball more, wanted to take more shots, wanted to be the go-to guy. He thought his status as the team's leading scorer, captain, and lone representative at the 2005 All-Star Game earned him the right to try to carry the team through tough times. Without Walker, Pierce will get his wish. And he'll also draw more attention from the Indiana defense.

But Pierce accepts the challenge. It sounds as if he has been waiting for such an opportunity throughout the best-of-seven series.

"If I'm going to get criticized when we lose, I want an opportunity to help this team win," said Pierce. "And I just want opportunities when I'm on the court. If we're going to go down, we've got to be able to go down fighting with our best. I feel like the ball needs to be in my hands a little bit more. I think I go too many possessions without touching the ball. If I'm one of our best scorers, if I'm one of our best players, then I need that opportunity, because at the end of the day when we lose it's going to be like, 'What is Paul Pierce not doing?' "

Pierce noted that he didn't believe the Pacers' defense had dictated where the ball went. ''If I'm the leader of this team and if I'm the captain, I want the opportunity. I can understand that. I can handle the pressure. If I go out and I miss 22 shots and that's the reason we lose, I can deal with that. I'm the captain of this team and they pay me big money to be the captain and to be the leader of this team, to take the pressure off other guys, and I want to be able to do that."

Pierce's remarks should not be read as criticism of coach Doc Rivers and his offensive philosophy or play calling. That said, Rivers has always maintained the Celtics need to move the ball, that it should not matter who takes the shots. Throughout the playoffs, Rivers has talked about the importance of trust and unselfishness.

"I'm not going to get on what the coach is doing," said Pierce. "You've got to understand Coach Rivers is still a young coach in this league. This is like his third or fourth playoffs, so he's still learning a lot, like me. I'm still learning as I get older. I can't say if his decisions or adjustments [are right]. We have to follow him. He's our coach. He's the guy who watches the tapes with our staff."

Rivers is also the guy who conducts team meetings before practice. And according to Rivers, the Celtics yesterday discussed getting Pierce more touches.

"He's essentially repeating what I just said in our meeting," said Rivers. "He's not saying anything that's earth shattering. I just told the guys in the meeting, 'Hey, guys, we had Paul rolling and we come out three times in row and swing the ball to the other side.' Ball movement doesn't mean you don't move the ball to Paul. But Paul's going to be responsible when he gets double-teamed, and if he gets double-teamed, he has to move the ball to the open guy. That was the point I was making."

Big John · 04-30-2005, 11:14 AM

If they keep walking the ball up instead of pushing the tempo at every opportunity it won't matter whether Pierce gets 10 touches or 50. They cannot win a halfcourt game against Indiana. Rivers may think they can, but they can't.

Richie Rich · 04-30-2005, 12:04 PM

very tru bj and i think pierce is saying the right things now...he sees pll. are criticizing him even when its not his fault so he wants to go down swinging with these guys...we need to RUN and play TOUGH CMON..

TONYALLEN42 · 04-30-2005, 12:21 PM

hmm...i hope noone takes offence to this but i think that it might be nesisary to trade him in the offseason for a different all-star because he just sounds so frustrated and he should be on a team that is more focused on one guy as opposed to a team with devolping young players...thoughts??

**agoo101284** · 04-30-2005, 03:02 PM

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Originally Posted by TONYALLEN42

hmm...i hope noone takes offence to this but i think that it might be nesisary to trade him in the offseason for a different all-star because he just sounds so frustrated and he should be on a team that is more focused on one guy as opposed to a team with devolping young players...thoughts??

I'd probably not trade him for another all-star, unless you bring one in that does not need the ball and demand the ball all the time. If you're doing that, you're going to hve the same problems as you do with Pierce.

TONYALLEN42 · 04-30-2005, 03:20 PM

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Originally Posted by agoo101284

I'd probably not trade him for another all-star, unless you bring one in that does not need the ball and demand the ball all the time. If you're doing that, you're going to hve the same problems as you do with Pierce.

how bout pierce for stephon marbury???

**Premier** · 04-30-2005, 03:31 PM

I'm not calling for Pierce's head or anything, but if we were to trade Paul, I think the best option would be trading him for a good, young player with great potential along with expiring contarcts and draft picks. Realistically, if we were to win a championship, the players to lead us there would be our current crop of young players. If we build on those players, rather than trying to put out a good product each year, our chances at championship contention would greatly improve.

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Originally Posted by TONYALLEN42

how bout pierce for stephon marbury???

No.

LX · 04-30-2005, 04:23 PM

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Originally Posted by TONYALLEN42

hmm...i hope noone takes offence to this but i think that it might be nesisary to trade him in the offseason for a different all-star because he just sounds so frustrated and he should be on a team that is more focused on one guy as opposed to a team with devolping young players...thoughts??

No, no, no. Paul has been my favorite Celtic since I started watching basketball. It's hard to see Paul in any uniform but a Celtics one.

Paul is an excellent player. Not every superstar is fit to be a leader, and Paul is one of those guys. However, he is one of the best players in the league still, and had one of his best years as a Celtic this year. There is no reason to trade him, period. You trade Pierce and there goes our offense down the tubes. Who on the Celtics can step up and fill that void? Answer: Nobody. TA can't. Ricky could, but he doesn't bring the rebounding that Pierce does. West, Banks, Reed? No, no, no. Pierce is the best player on this team, hands down, and you don't trade him for anyone.

**KingHandles** · 04-30-2005, 06:01 PM

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Originally Posted by TONYALLEN42

how bout pierce for stephon marbury???

Hell no...Pierce till he retires I say...He's doing the leadership thing rite now and it is exactly what we need...

The True Essence · 04-30-2005, 06:05 PM

marbury to boston would be a disaster....well marbury anywhere is a disaster...

i love paul pierce's game, hes definitely one of my favorite players. and the celts are the only boston team i can stand.

**agoo101284** · 04-30-2005, 07:25 PM

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Originally Posted by TONYALLEN42

how bout pierce for stephon marbury???

That might be the worst trade possible.

**Premier** · 04-30-2005, 07:31 PM

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Originally Posted by agoo101284

That might be the worst trade possible.

No. Pierce and Jefferson for Penny Hardaway would be the worst trade possible.

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