25 Greatest NBA Playoff Performers of All-Time
By Bill Speros
25. Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce was a Celtics mainstay from 1998 through the 2012-13 season. Until the Celtics re-created the Big Three with the addition of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, Pierce was basically a one-man show for Boston’s ill-fated postseason ventures. In 2002, the 49-win Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, losing to New Jersey in six games. Before Boston’s title run in 2008, The Truth appeared in 37 playoff games and averaged 24.5 points.
It was in the 2008 playoffs when he was at his best. In an epic performance against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Pierce scored 41 points in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In Game 1 of the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Pierce suffered was carried off the court after an apparent injury in the third quarter only to return a few minutes later to nail a three-pointer and score 15 points in the third quarter. Pierce was named NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics crushed the Lakers 131–92 victory in Game 6 on June 17, 2008. When asked if Kobe Bryant was the “best player in the world”
Pierce was named NBA Finals MVP after the Celtics crushed the Lakers 131–92 victory in Game 6 on June 17, 2008. When asked if Kobe Bryant was the “best player in the world” Pierce responded: “I’m the best player. There’s a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
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