Power Ranking Every Clippers Player: Who’s Their MVP?
By Tom West
5th: Paul “The Truth” Pierce
May 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) celebrates with injured Wizards guard John Wall (L) and Washington Wizards forward Martell Webster (M) after making the game-winning basket against the Atlanta Hawks as time expired in the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
The role that Paul Pierce will have with the Clippers is still not entirely certain. He’ll most likely start but with limited minutes (around 17-20 per game) in order to keep him in good condition for the playoffs, which would allow Doc Rivers to make the most of what Pierce has to offer.
He’s still delivering even at 37 years of age after playing 26.2 minutes a night to average 11.9 points on 44.7 percent shooting, 4 rebounds and 2 assists while making an efficient 38.9 percent of his threes (his best mark in five years).
Though it’s not just his shooting that makes him valuable. It’s the championship winning experience and leadership that he possesses which makes him so valuable to what used to be a relatively young and inexperienced (at least in the playoffs) Clippers team.
His buzzer beater to defeat the Atlanta Hawks in game three of the Eastern Conference semi finals is a shot that will be remembered long after he’s retired. It proved what he still has to offer, and his response of “I called game” in the following interview made the moment so much better.
That confidence and fourth quality ability is what the Clippers need from Pierce, and thankfully for them, he still appears to have it in bucket loads.
Next: J.J. Redick