Difference between Ray and Pierce

[DERRENMATTS]

Sure both are perimeter players who can knock down midrange jumpers and three point bombs--but Ray Allen and Paul Pierce do not play alike. Their games are evidently different.

Pierce, as we all know from watching him the last 9 years, is a physical wing player who gets to the line a lot (perennially among the tops in the NBA). He'll certainly take open jumpers when he's left open, but he likes to operate with contact. How many times have we seen Pierce ball fake his man up in the air, wait for his man to come down on him, and then draw a foul as he takes a shot at the basket? Or how many times have we seen Pierce trudge his way to the basket and draw fouls? Pierce is not a high flyer, and he's not a graceful athlete--but Ray Allen is.

Allen, on the other hand, operates like the wind. He gracefully speeds around the court, coming off of screens, and he likes to shoot the ball quickly after the catch. He easily springs into the air and has a lightning quick release and most times, he'll take a shot before his defender even catches up with him. Because of Ray's quickness, he often gets to the rim without much contact.

Ray's game is more similar to Reggie Miller 'sand Rip Hamilton's. Pierce is more like...... well, Paul Pierce's.

I think they will compliment each other nicely.

[DERRENMATTS]

On another note, Gerald Green's game resembles more of Ray Allen's, and I think its beneficial for Gerald to be able to play alongside of Ray Allen and pick up the nuances of coming off of curls and executing catch and shoots.

[cfoo]

They are different players. Ray is all about finesse and quickness. I wouldnt call Pierce's game finesse. Like you said Pierce is all about drawing contact, where Ray avoids it. My hope is Ray's style of play leads to a long career. It's weird how it doesn't work that way sometimes though. Ray Allen is like the Jerry Rice of basketball players though.

[DERRENMATTS]

Ray Allen also is more of a factor on the fastbreaks, and his ability to play the catch and shoot game bodes well in an uptempo game.

Doc's challenge is to utilize both Pierce's and Allen's (as well as Jefferson offense in the post) and make sure he's not just making them go one on one.

[cfoo]

A lot of times you see players that play physical and fundamentally sound have longer careers than players that rely on quickness because once you lose a step you aren't necessarily the same player. I just hope that doesn't happen to Ray. Ray is a very fundamental just solid all around player though. And he has been healthy for the majority of his career so hopefully that will continue.

[cfoo]

I like the idea how Ray is very quick on his shot and he is an outstanding fastbreak player the way he shoots 3's. He kills teams with those shots. So many times you see Allen pull up on the break and knock down shots. we havent had a player like that. You see Phoenix do that a lot with Raja Bell and other players. The fast break isnt just about getting to the rim. Its about getting open shots and Ray is very good at that on the break.

[DERRENMATTS]

Right. I think Wally added this to our team when he was healthy. But a big difference between Ray Allen and Wally is the fact that Ray's athleticism and quickness allow him to see more open shots.

Overall, I think getting Ray Allen helps, but for certain, we aren't going anywhere without more help in the frontcourt.

[eja117]

One similarity between them is that neither one plays defense or has won much of anything in college or the pros and they both are old and get paid lots.

[cfoo]

Defense. what's that?

[eja117]

It's something DA isn't very familiar with, and aparently Doc isn't either.

[mev17]

They're not that old. Keep in mind Kidd at age 34 just averaged a triple-double in the playoffs and Nash at age 33 was once again an MVP candidate. Allen and Pierce have been durable players for the great majority of their careers, so the odds are very good each can be effective until the end of their contracts.