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| | Tuesday, 21 May, 2002, 22:29 GMT 23:29 UK Pierce leads Boston renaissance Pierce had a huge series against Detroit
Paul Pierce could have become nothing more than a tragic footnote in basketball history. That was the way it looked on a September night two years ago, as Pierce lay bleeding on the floor of a Boston club, suffering from eleven stab wounds to his neck, back and face. The victim of a sudden three-man attack, Pierce had to undergo emergency surgery that night to repair a damaged lung.
Basketball fans wondered if Paul Pierce was another name that would come to represent promise unfulfilled, like Len Bias or Hank Gathers before him, rising stars whose lives ended in sudden tragedy. But not only did Pierce survive the attack, he made a truly remarkable recovery that saw him return to the Boston Celtics' starting line-up scarcely a month later. Pierce did not seem at all affected by his injuries in the 2000-2001 season, and what could have been one of NBA's most infamous incidents was quickly forgotten.
Pierce continued his superb play in the 2001-2002 season, scoring more points - 2,144 - than any player in the league. He did something else that no player since Bird had been able to do. Pierce turned the Celtics into winners, leading Boston into the NBA play-offs for the first time since 1995. He has undoubtedly been the centrepiece of the Celtics' rise, the team growing around Pierce as he has matured into one of the NBA's most complete players, mixing excellent defensive skills with an explosive scoring touch. Suddenly, the Celtics have that old swagger back, and Pierce looks like he is loving it.
Before the first game of the Eastern Conference finals, Pierce issued a bold statement regarding the Celtics' opponents, the New Jersey Nets. "I don't think they have anybody that can really defend me," Pierce said. It was a brash thing to say, but it brought smiles to the faces of Celtics' supporters, who remember the days of Bird's Celtic teams, who would do or say anything to gain a mental advantage over an opponent. For now, Pierce has earned the right to be brash. He averaged 37 points per game in the regular season against New Jersey.
"He has had some terrific games, but that's regular season," Scott said. "The regular season is over with." So far, Pierce has shown he can perform in the post-season as well. He has led the Celtics deeper into the play-offs than they have been since the 1980's. What could have been tragedy has become triumph for Pierce. If Pierce can prove his boasting correct against the Nets, "Celtic Pride" may soon be on display in Boston once again. | |
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