Though Celtics coach Doc Rivers says Paul Pierce is having an MVP season, it is far too early in the season to make such projections, nor are Pierce’s statistics impressive enough to place him in serious consideration. He is hitting 51.5 percent from the field, 46.3 percent on 3-pointers, and 84.9 percent on free throws. His career bests are 47.1 percent (2006) from the field, 41.2 percent (1998-99) on 3-pointers, and 84.3 percent on free throws (2007-08). Pierce is averaging 35 minutes 44 seconds of playing time, his lowest average since the 2000 season, and committing 2.0 turnovers; his best turnover average was 2.4 per game in the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons.
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In Bill Walton's MVP season, he averaged 18.9 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 5 APG, and just less than 3 blocks per game. Not earth-shattering numbers. But the Blazers started the season 50-10, and stunk after he got injured. Paul Pierce is clearly the Celtics best player this season. If he proves to be the difference maker on a regular basis, two-thirds or more of their games, and the Celtics end the season with the best record in the NBA, I think Pierce has to be a leading candidate for MVP.
I know Kevin Garnett got short shrift in the 2008 MVP voting, and while he was probably the best player on the team with the best record, it wasn't clear how much better he was than Pierce or Ray Allen. Plus the Celtics posted a very good record while Garnett was out with an injury that year.
So the mere fact that Garnett got hosed in 2008 does not necessarily mean Pierce won't be seriously considered for MVP this year if the above two conditions are met AND Pierce has one his best years statistically. It wouldn't hurt either if Pierce earns some votes for first team All-Defense, and if he keeps playing defense the way he has, that idea isn't as ridiculous as it sounds.
This road trip should be a good initial proving ground.
He’s the MVP in the league as far as I’m concerned. Just all the things - leadership, preparation, his intensity on the floor, scoring, assisting. Even on nights he didn’t have big numbers, he made the timely baskets or made a timely defensive play. He’s just been very impressive.I just think he’s doing everything, making the extra pass. Early on [in Friday’s 116-103 win over Toronto], he had five shots he could have taken and passed them up to get to the next pass. He saw the action that led to the next action. He had a bunch, a ton of hockey assists, or soccer assists.
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