Pierce Shines, Celts Lose

Nothing new to report here. Paul Pierce produced an MVP-caliber performance last night only to watch the Celtics lose yet another heartbreaking game to the Cleveland LeBrons in double overtime last night at the Garden. If you don't know this, it is probably because ESPN quickly passed by it or made you more than aware of LeBron's triple-double. If it was LeBron who had scored a career-high 50, it would not only have lead Sportscenter, it would have catapulted us into a "Fact or Fiction: Is LeBron Jesus Christ Reincarnated?" segment with Tim Legler.

Now I'm not arguing that Paul Pierce is a better player than LeBron James. It would be hard to argue that (although LeBron does have better pieces around him and hasn't appeared in a postseason game since high school). But Pierce certainly could be mentioned in the same breath as James. Only, he hardly ever is. Pierce is never mentioned as being one of the NBA's brightest stars with the LeBrons, TMacs and Kobes of the world. McGrady has never won a playoff series. Bryant couldn't will Chris Mihm, Jumaine Jones and Chucky Atkins (not to mention Lamar Odom and Caron Butler) to the playoffs. Pierce has accomplished both.

When the All Star selections came out and Pierce was a reserve for the fifth straight year, I knew the criticism was coming. The Stephen A. Smiths, the Leglers and the Barkleys were ready to pounce claiming that Pierce, being on a 20 win team, had no business in the All-Star game. Luckily, the All Stars are voted in by the coaches, the guys who have to try to stop Pierce on a nightly basis. Smith, Legs and Barkley probably haven't watched more than 20 minutes of Celtics basketball all year. They are too busy heaping praise on LeBron James.

Paul Pierce has pretty much been left to try to win games by himself, a formula that just doesn't work in the NBA. Consider that, last night, he probably only had three other legitimate NBA players on his team (Lafrentz, West and Wallyworld). LeBron, conversely, has a pass-first point guard (Snow), a true back-to-the-basket forward (Gooden), two weak side shooters (Jones, Marshall) and an All Star calibur center (Ilgauskus). Not to mention a twenty point scorer (Hughes) who is currently on the shelf. Pierce has been going to war with Orien Greene, Ryan Gomes, Brian Scalabrine and Michael Olowokandi. And yet, he has still put together an All Star season. It's too bad no one has noticed.