Round 2, Pick 4 Paul Pierce, SG/SF, Boston Celtics

Last year there were rumors that Celtic’s GM Danny Ainge was contemplating a youth movement and Paul Pierce was being shopped around the league. So, “The Truth” took stock of the situation and played like a man on a mission last season. “You can’t handle the truth” was made famous by Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men, and Pierce proved it last season against those defending him by averaging 26.8 points/game, which was 6th in the NBA, as well as a career high for Pierce. He will be styling in Celtic green a while longer after he signed a contract extension this past summer. 

The Good

In the past when “The Truth” punches the time clock for your fantasy team, you know you were going to get 20+ points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 swipes per game. Fantasy owners were treated to a bonus this past season when he set career highs in points (26.8), FG% (47.1%) and trips to the line (10.3 attempts).  Did I mention that his 6.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists/game were better than a professed adulterous who plays for the Lakers (Kobe Bryant averaged 5.3 rebs and 4.5 assists/game)? After Ricky Davis was traded mid-season, Pierce proved like the Fonz in Happy Days that he could efficiently score without a wingman to the tune of 28.9 points/game at an efficient .464 FG% during the last 3 months of the season.

Worried about Pierce’s recent surgery to his elbow? Have no fear Pierce is a warrior.  If you recall Pierce got stabbed in the face, neck and back at a nightclub in September 2000. How many games do you think he missed that season? ZERO. In fact he has missed a total of 8 games in the past 6 seasons. If only a former Raptor (now in New Jersey) who was drafted in the same year had half the toughness of Pierce!

The Bad

If your league counts turnovers then Pierce’s 3.5 turnover/game is pretty high for a non-PG player. Pierce used to average close to a couple of steals and a block per game. Father Time may be catching up to Pierce because he averaged 1.4 steals and 0.4 blocks/game this past season. His FT% was 77.2%, which was below his career average of 79.0% so hopefully last season was just a mirage and not a new trend.

“The Truth” will continue to be the man in Boston and that suits all fantasy owners just fine. Pierce will continue to contribute 27-7-5 this season, which will make handling “The Truth” a lot easier.

Other Team Members
1.9 Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors