Pierce’s old school newly appreciated

May 19, 2010|Bob Ryan, Globe Columnist

ORLANDO, Fla. — Wouldn’t you pay cash money for the 17-year-old Paul Pierce to see a video of the wily codger who stutter-stepped, spun, floated, dived, flopped, and bamboozled his way to another scintillating 28-point playoff performance last night?

“Nah,’’ he’d say. “No way, man. That can’t be me with all funky stuff. Looks like some guy from the ’50s or somethin’.’’

“Sorry, Paul,’’ I’d have to say. “That’s the 2010 you. Deal with it. You’re Retroman.’’

The Celtics are now up a surprising two games to none in this Eastern Conference finals, for many reasons, the first being truly committed team defense. But high on the list of reasons has been the play of captain Paul Pierce, who scored 22 points in the opening game and added those 28 more as the Celtics beat the Magic, 95-92, last night.

“He’s got his game back,’’ said Doc Rivers. “I told you guys coming into this series that for us to do any damage, Paul would have to be big for us. During the Cleveland series he lost his rhythm. But [guarding] LeBron [James] had something to do with that.’’

Pierce took charge of the early offense all by himself, and that’s no hyperbole. He nailed a patented 12-foot turnaround 16 seconds into the game, and he went on to score the team’s first 9 points as the Celtics established themselves immediately in a game during which they would lead for 45 minutes 26 seconds of the 48, and in which they would trail once, for 41 seconds, in the final 22 minutes.

“Paul Pierce won this game for us with the way he started off tonight,’’ Rivers declared. “He put the team on his shoulders and gave everybody confidence.’’

This is, as Doc says, the Paul Pierce the Celtics must have if they are to keep advancing. He is by far their best one-on-one player, the best, in fact, in the history of the franchise. (Some day, perhaps, stubborn old-timers will finally admit this obvious truth).

He can get something at all times. It may not be pretty always, but he gets it, and many of those ugly maneuvers result in a trip to the free throw line. He long ago realized that there are no style points in this game. The only question for the guy throwing the ball toward the basket is, “Did it go in, or didn’t it?’’ That, or “Did you get the friendly toot?’’