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Washington Wizards Need Paul Pierce To Stick Around For 1 More Year

By Josh Wilson

May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts after getting hit in the face against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts after getting hit in the face against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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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
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 /

Playoff Experience

Between the Celtics, the Nets, and the Wizards, Pierce has played quite a few playoff games in his career–158 games, to be exact. And he’s started in every single one of those games.

Within these games, he’s put up great numbers. Compared to LeBron James, who is often accepted as the best shooting forward in the league, he’s certainly been able to keep up and keep his name relevant with James.

Rk Player G FG FG% 3P 3P% FT% TRB AST STL TOV PTS
1 LeBron James 171 8.2 .477 1.2 .319 .756 7.3 5.6 1.5 3.0 23.7
2 Paul Pierce 158 6.0 .424 1.6 .356 .832 5.7 3.4 1.2 2.8 18.7

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/26/2015.

This table compares the two per 36 minutes in the playoffs, taking James’ significantly more playing time out of the equation. Still, James is able to outdo Pierce in several categories, but Pierce is still proven worthy. His turnovers are actually less, and his three point percentage, one of Pierce’s selling features, is about 4 percent higher than James’.

We truly saw him prove that the three-pointer was his seller, especially in the playoffs, this year for Washington. Pierce hit 33 three pointers in 10 games during the playoffs this year.

Pierce is 31st all-time on the win shares list during the playoffs, and ninth among active players. He’s in the top 50 all-time for points per playoff game, a notable statistic.

There’s plenty of players with playoff experience on the Wizards, so why do they need him specifically? No one has as much experience as Pierce. He’s got the wisdom to bring to the court, and it’s definitely helped other players around him mature over time.

As the Wizards look to chase a title as early as next year, they need players like Pierce with that veteran knowledge on what the playoffs bring, and how to handle grueling six- and seven-game series.

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