Pierce's play

[DERRENMATTS]

Pierce, since his return, and especially in his past 4 games, has been playing poorly. His stats show it, as well as his actions on the court. He is a shell of himself right now. He's a step slower, looks heavier, has very little lift, he's forcing shots, and his shots are flat as well.

His left elbow is apparently inflamed again with bursitis. This could be why his shooting looks so awkward. He's not shooting comfortably at the line (and again, his shots are flat).

What is he playing for? We aren't going to the playoffs and he can use the offseason to get back into top shape. Why not shut down for the rest of the season (19 games remaining), heal his body and dedicate himself in the summer?

I understand that he has the desire to play the game even when hurt, but his elbow has been giving him problems for years now. If surgery is a viable option, he should look into doing it now so that it won't impede into next season. And let his stress reaction in his foot heal more and work on getting back his lift.

[cfoo]

Yeah I've noticed that to. He doesn't seem like himself.

[FLCeltsFan]

I have been wondering that myself. There is really no reason for him to be playing now other than to prove that we aren't tanking. I am starting to wonder if this elbow thing is going to be an ongoing problem from now on. He had surgery in the offseason that was supposed to take care of it and yet he has the problem again. He is saying he won't have surgery again but is it going to kick up again next season after he plays awhile? Two years in a row makes me wonder if it is going to flare up every year. It affects his shot as much as the conditioning does. Last year his shot was off when the elbow started to swell and same thing is happening this season.