While the headlines for game 2 of the Celtics – Lakers series will undoubtedly be about Ray Allen’s finals-record eight 3's or Rajon Rondo’s triple-double, one guy that silently got it done was Paul Pierce. Pierce was only 2-11 from the field finishing with 10 points, but he contributed by doing the little things.
When Kobe Bryant was asked to guard Allen in the 2nd quarter in attempt to slow him down, Pierce set a screen on Bryant that gave Allen the split second he needed to release another three. Good screens allow shooters to separate from their defenders to get off a shot, but the screen that sets up the play is not tracked in the box score. Pierce was also effective on the defensive end although that is not obvious by his one block and one steal. If you look at Ron Artest’s contribution to the game, it is clear that Pierce successfully shut him down. Artest was 1-10 from the field with only 6 points - he also fouled out of the game (Pierce drew 4 fouls on Artest). At the end of the game when it was clear that the Celtics would tie the series, Pau Gasol had an open dunk. Instead of allowing Gasol to make the shot, Pierce fouled him, preventing Gasol from establishing a rhythm. Pierce sees the big picture - he knows this series will be a long hard fought battle and does not want the Lakers to have any momentum going into game 3 when the Celtics look to take a 2-1 lead.
When I was a freshman, playing basketball at Santa Monica High School, there were many rumors about Paul Pierce--a senior at the time for Inglewood High School (which is in the Bay League, just like Santa Monica). Interestingly, his legendary status as a high school player did not have so much to do with his skills (which he obviously had plenty of, going to Kansas on a scholarship), but rather his relationships with high school girl. Rumor has it that he engaged in sexual activity with a different girl prior to every game of his high school career. That was his warm-up.
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ReplyDeleteAhh Artest, or should I call him - space cadet. He and Odom make quite a tag team. For every thing that he does right on the court he does another that makes you cringe.
ReplyDeleteGame 2 was a prime examples of the horrible defense Lakers have at the point guard. Because Fisher/Farmar/Brown can't guard his position Kobe has to run around and pickup dumb fouls while trying to keep up with Rondo. And Fisher can't effectively guard the taller Allen on the switch.
Rondo has wreaked havoc for every opponent. Fisher has to try, and try harder. Just contain him and let Kobe do the rest.
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