Paul Pierce Gets No Respect
First of all, let me set the stage. I've been a Celtics fan since birth. Born here. Raised here. I'm also a die-hard NBA fan. Love the game. Love the athleticism.
I'm also not Tommy Heinsohn. I love Tommy, but let's face it, when it comes to NBA referees, he's so far over the top he's in another galaxy. That's okay, I get it. The dude bleeds green and he's broadcasting on local TV.
Having said that, I do think that NBA officiating in general is sub-par, but for the most part I don't see it affecting the outcome of games. Oh sure, every once in awhile you watch a game in amazement at the calls and non-calls, but generally, the team that deserves to win gets the win.
Here's my beef: I've never, ever seen a superstar in the NBA get less respect from the officials than The Truth. And make no mistake about it, Paul Pierce is a certified NBA superstar. High-profile rookies get more calls than he does. Grizzled vets get more calls than he does. And the big names? It's not even close. Pierce gets called on defense for "moving screens," reach-ins on the dribble and attempted blocks more than any "superstar" in the league.
And on offense? Pierce takes an ongoing beating when he drives to the hole but rarely gets the call or the "and-one." When #34 started his career with the Celts, he was a relentless driver of the basketball. Drive the lane and throw it down! His outside shot and perimeter game were not yet what they are today so he routinely took most defenders off the dribble. He did so willingly and easily - he just didn't get the whistle. Only after years of not getting calls that he felt he deserved did his game slowly morph into more of the outside, jump-shooting style that it's become today. And that's the shame of it. In his heart, I think Pierce is a slasher. A guy who consistently poses the threat of the outside shot, but a guy who would rather take you to the hole and stick the dagger in your heart mano a mano.
So the question becomes, why the lack of respect? My belief is that it's simple, but yet subtle. Ever seen Pierce smile on the court? Ever see him look like he's having fun? Pretty seldom. His general demeanor seems to be a little gangsta, to be frank. I honestly believe this hurts him and has for years. Remember, when Pierce came into the league, we heard all the stories about how he'd work on his jumpshot, calling out all the names of the players drafted before him. This was a guy who truly (pun intended) believed he was dissed in a major way. On the plus side, it's given him the motivation to become great. On the flip side, it's made him play like a sourpuss with a chip on his shoulder the size of Gibraltar. Paul Pierce as the Angry Young Man.
So the conundrum remains. Does what makes you great also hurt you to some degree? I believe that it does - big time. Pay attention!
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