Pierce's Place

[mike]

Okay, it's time to start considering Paul Pierce's place in the pantheon of Celtic greatness. Below is my all-time Top 10, including where I see Pierce falling. What's yours?

10 - Tommy Heinsohn
9 - Dave Cowens
8 - Paul Pierce
7 - Robert Parish
6 - Kevin McHale
5 - Sam Jones
4 - Bob Cousy
3 - John Havlicek
2 - Larry Bird
1 - Bill Russell

[CaptChris]

Very simple. Take all the recent media hype out of the equation. Where does PP fit in the NBA. Just as the others were judged.

Count how many times PP was All-NBA 1st team = 0! PP = 1 - 2nd team -- 3 - 3 rd teams.

Cowens = 1 - 1st team -- 5 - 2nd team All-NBA

Heinsohn = 4 - 2nd team All-NBA.

So PP drops to # 10, when judged by his ranking in his career in the NBA.

Plus all the other Celtics played on teams that competed for the Championships in most years. None had the Antoine and ME ride.

There wasn't an ALL-NBA 3rd team until 1988 - 1989.

[jcpry]

Also very hard. How much better was McHale because of Bird? Parish because of McHale? And for those who played with Bill Russell? If PP had KG and Ray for his whole career would he be further up the list? What is the effect of playing with Pitino, or O'Brien as you coach as opposed to the legendary Red or Bill Russell? Would these factors result on more All Star appearances? I suggest that it would as those on winning teams have a better chances of being on the All Star roster.
One things is certain and that is he very much deserves to be on the list.