Is Paul Pierce Done? History Says Yes

CBS New York

Paul Pierce might be on his way to Springfield, Massachusetts in only a few years. The potential future Hall of Famer has been to ten All-Star games, is an NBA Finals MVP, and is currently 25th on the all-time scoring list. His resume is spectacular, to say the least, and he is widely regarded as a great leader both on and off the court. Pierce spent fifteen years with the Boston Celtics after playing three great seasons as a Jayhawk for Kansas. As a Celtic, Pierce went through ups and downs. He experienced playoff success in his early years with Antoine Walker by his side, battling against a Jason Kidd, Kenyon Martin and Richard Jefferson trio in the playoffs. He then experienced years of mediocrity where Boston fans questioned his stardom and his legacy as a Celtic. The acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen however gave Pierce enough support to win an NBA finals, go to another finals and make multiple playoff runs. It also cemented Pierce's legacy as one of the greatest Boston Celtics ever.

Pierce currently stands at 36 years old and has never played so poorly in his career. After averaging 18 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists for the Celtics last year, Pierce's numbers have dropped dramatically. He is averaging under 12 points a game and is shooting below 37%. Many in the Net faithful question Pierce's desire to play for this Net team. Others believe that Pierce is still shell-shocked from getting traded from the Celtics. There are those who claim that his head is not in the game, but that it is still in Boston. These same people remain hopeful though, that once Pierce fully adjusts to life in Brooklyn, he will play better. While this is optimistic thinking, history has proven to us that by 36, elite small forwards are just not that elite anymore.

Paul Pierce is regarded as one of the best 10-15 small forwards in basketball history. If we compare Pierce's numbers at 36 to what other small forward stars averaged at 36, it is obvious that Pierce may not get any better in his brief stint with the Nets. Let's first start with Dominique Wilkins. At the age of 36, Dominique Wilkins sat out the entire NBA season. However, he came back at 37 and averaged 18 points a game, a career low, and shot under 42%, a career low. At the age of 36 Rick Barry was not even in the NBA anymore. When he was 35, in his last season in the NBA, Barry had career lows in points, 12 points per game and field goal percentage, 42%. Let's now transition to an ex-Celtic, Larry Bird. Larry Legend was not even in the NBA when he was 36 years old, his body had given out on him. At 35 though Bird was able to average 19 points per game while shooting an impressive 46%. However, in Bird's case, it is essential to mention that Pierce at 36 has played 3 more full seasons than Bird at 35. Thus, Pierce has had more wear and tear on his body. As a last comparison, let's take a look at Scottie Pippen. Scottie, by the time he was 36, was averaging just below 11 points a game while shooting a career low 41%. These once elite small forwards were no longer forces to be reckoned with.

Is age the only reason why Pierce's numbers have dropped? It is unclear. Pierce's lackadaisical play, specifically his terrible turnovers, leave many thinking that his head is just simply not in Brooklyn. With all that in mind it is still essential to compare Pierce at the age of 36 to the other great small forwards. As you can see, the Nets may have received a Paul Pierce that truly has little left in the tank. While it won't be surprising to see him have a big game here or there, it is clear that Pierce is no longer a star, a starter, but simply a glorified role player, if that.

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