Pierce at the top of his game
Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was viewed by many as the leading candidate to be NBA MVP prior to the abdominal injury that caused him to miss nine games. But if the 2004 NBA MVP had a vote, it would go to Garnett's teammate, Paul Pierce.
"I got Paul for MVP this year," said Garnett, who won the award four years ago with Minnesota. "He does a lot of things, just little small things that people don't see. There are only three people I like to watch on offense, and he's one of them, man. He makes scoring look easy. He has an uncanny confidence about him that I love, cockiness and self-assurance.
"I told you, there is a reason why I came here. He's one of the reasons."
Pierce is also one of the main reasons the Celtics have the NBA's best record at 50-12.
On a team with three All-Stars and lots of scoring, Pierce is averaging a team-best 20.3 points in 37.2 minutes. He is shooting 45 percent from the field, a career-best 84.4 percent from the line, and his 3-point percentage of 39.5 is his best since the 2001-02 season. He averages 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.3 steals, and is also the only Celtic who has played in all 62 games (after playing in only 47 last season because of injuries).
"This is probably one of my better seasons overall," said the 10-year veteran. "Maybe not numbers-wise, but with the team's success and everything we've got going on, I'm shooting a career best from the free throw line. I want to take advantage of the opportunities that are out there.
"Numbers-wise, I can't say it, but this is one of the better years that I've had."
After the Celtics acquired Garnett and sharpshooter Ray Allen last offseason, a big question was how Pierce would adapt to playing with two fellow perennial All-Stars. The transition has been smooth from the beginning for Pierce, who has maintained his ability to be a dangerous scorer within the framework of the redesigned offense.
"I don't know if I've really adjusted my game," Pierce said. "Shoot, this is the way I've wanted to play if we had players around me. I was a victim of young teams, lesser-talented teams, so I had to do more. I had to do a more overall game and do things to help my ball club win. I don't have to take all the shots.
"I know what I'm capable of, a more well-rounded game. I can play at a different pace, know when to turn it up, when not to, because of the guys they have around me."
Pierce's play even prompted an NBA coach to call Doc Rivers Monday to express his admiration.
"He's just been solid," Rivers said. "I'm not going to tell you the coach. But I got a call from a coach, who is a very good coach in our league, one of the best. All he talked about was Paul Pierce and how he changed his game in front of everybody's eyes by doing everything, all the little things. Playing defense, being a passer, being a great teammate, just everything.
"For me to hear that from someone else was special. That was nice. He's been that - he's been great."
A year ago, Pierce was upset and confused about the direction of the Celtics, who finished with only 24 wins. He begged executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge to get him some help and wondered if he would be traded. Ainge more than lived up to his end of the bargain by adding Garnett, Allen, James Posey, Eddie House, Sam Cassell, P.J. Brown, and Glen Davis this season.
After the Celtics became the first team to reach the 50-win mark with Monday's 100-86 victory at Philadelphia, they downplayed the accomplishment, citing their focus on winning a title. But considering the struggles of just a year ago, Pierce appreciates everything that is happening.
"I appreciate every moment I get to be around these guys," Pierce said. "When I look back, I don't want to say I didn't take advantage of the guys around me. Each and every day I try to enjoy it."
With a win tonight against Seattle, Rivers would reach the .500 mark for his NBA coaching career (324-324). Rivers is 152-156 with the Celtics . . . The Celtics took yesterday off after returning from Philadelphia late Monday night . . . The first 5,000 fans to enter TD Banknorth Garden tonight will receive a limited-edition Garnett bobble-head.
