Apparently Pierce vs Melo is even, really? really? Not even when Pierce was in his prime was he as good as Carmelo and now that he is aging it's even? Shaq vs Turiaf, Shaq has the advantage??? WTH?? Shaq has played 6 minutes in 2 months, ESPN can go straight to hell when we shock the world! Knicks in 6 book it!

Mray20 wrote:http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=6352635

Apparently Pierce vs Melo is even, really? really? Not even when Pierce was in his prime was he as good as Carmelo and now that he is aging it's even? Shaq vs Turiaf, Shaq has the advantage??? WTH?? Shaq has played 6 minutes in 2 months, ESPN can go straight to hell when we shock the world! Knicks in 6 book it!

here's the analysis:

Small Forward

Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul Pierce

If a game comes down to one shot, one of these two guys is going to take it. Both are supremely confident shooters and exceptional one-on-one players, though Anthony has the ability to be more of a dominant force offensively because his size and strength make him an especially tough player to defend. Anthony has become a 43 percent 3-point shooter with the Knicks and is now confidently firing them up from well beyond the arc. Pierce has more big-game playoff experience and is as cold-blooded as they come. Expect to see the Celtics run Pierce off screens the way they usually do with Allen, forcing Anthony to chase him and exert extra energy on the defensive end. Undoubtedly the key matchup in the series.

Advantage: Even

if you read WHY they say the matchup btwm pierce and melo is even - they make a fair point. they even say that melo can dominate more, but when it comes to clutch shooting, pierce is right there with him - ESPECIALLY in the playoffs.

now let's go to the center match-up:

Center
Ronny Turiaf vs. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq can still be a dominant force when healthy, but he's never healthy. He has played a total of only five minutes over the past 2½ months, and his availability for Game 1 (and his effectiveness level) is the biggest question mark Boston has coming into the series. If he can't go, Jermaine O'Neal will start in his place. But he, too, has missed major time because of injuries, and the Celtics could end up leaning more than they'd like on Nenad Krstic, who came over in the Kendrick Perkins trade. Turiaf is a banger who will be encouraged to bang, and D'Antoni will supplement him with Shelden Williams and Jared Jeffries, both of whom are limited players (Jeffries is a horrible offensive player, Williams is a power forward masquerading as a center).

Advantage: Celtics

the article is spot on. this is no contest, shaq at 40 yrs old and 400 lbs is STILL better than turiaf. just his sheer size alone will be key if he is healthy enough to play.

Small Forward

Pierce

Anthony
Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul Pierce
If a game comes down to one shot, one of these two guys is going to take it. Both are supremely confident shooters and exceptional one-on-one players, though Anthony has the ability to be more of a dominant force offensively because his size and strength make him an especially tough player to defend. Anthony has become a 43 percent 3-point shooter with the Knicks and is now confidently firing them up from well beyond the arc. Pierce has more big-game playoff experience and is as cold-blooded as they come. Expect to see the Celtics run Pierce off screens the way they usually do with Allen, forcing Anthony to chase him and exert extra energy on the defensive end. Undoubtedly the key matchup in the series.

Advantage: Even

If I am a Celtics fan and you tell me Knicks get the advantage w/ Melo my response is "wtf has Melo done? Pierce is a champ and the go to clutch scorer on many deep playoff runs and is an NBA champ. Piss off"

Do I think Melo is better, more productive and will outplay PP in this series? I do.. all of those things, but he's got to prove it. He's advanced ONE year in the playoffs and his overall record is terrible. ESPN's shots at Melo have definatly helped me get behind our guy here. Not to mention Melo has been the hottest player in the league for a few weeks right now.

All in all until proved otherwise this matchup is even

On the bench:
Why isnt it even? I think the Celtics have more 'better' players, but of ALL the bench players mentioned only one is really an impact player and thats Toney Douglas. There isnt anyone who can impact the game off the bench like TD with his scoring and his defense.

Would anyone be shocked if Douglas shot 8-14, hit 5-9 from downtown and scored 25 points in 28 minutes and dished out 5 assists and had 3 steals in game one and the Knicks win? I mean we have all seen him do that... in 28 games (post all star) Douglas is averaging 13.5ppg 4.5apg 3rebs. Thats a bigtime weapon off the bench. Plays both guard spots, plays defense, etc etc. Not shy about being a TD fan

orangeblobman wrote:do you really think melo is better than pierce???

i take pierce over melo any day if given choice.

wtf

To do what though?

matt wrote:

orangeblobman wrote:do you really think melo is better than pierce???

i take pierce over melo any day if given choice.

wtf

To do what though?

Remember that pre-season game back in October when Pierce played 42 minutes and hit the game-winner at MSG? Pierce LIVES to kill the Knicks.

I think it might be one reason Doc wanted a Knicks matchup in the first round - to wake up Pierce and KG.

Melo is a better player than Pierce, but I'm not convinced Melo will have the better series.

Pierce worries me deeply. I could see him hitting a game-winner at MSG in Game 3 and sucking the life out of this team.

I hope not. Go Knicks!

jimimou wrote:

Mray20 wrote:http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nba/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&id=6352635

Apparently Pierce vs Melo is even, really? really? Not even when Pierce was in his prime was he as good as Carmelo and now that he is aging it's even? Shaq vs Turiaf, Shaq has the advantage??? WTH?? Shaq has played 6 minutes in 2 months, ESPN can go straight to hell when we shock the world! Knicks in 6 book it!

here's the analysis:

Small Forward

Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul Pierce

If a game comes down to one shot, one of these two guys is going to take it. Both are supremely confident shooters and exceptional one-on-one players, though Anthony has the ability to be more of a dominant force offensively because his size and strength make him an especially tough player to defend. Anthony has become a 43 percent 3-point shooter with the Knicks and is now confidently firing them up from well beyond the arc. Pierce has more big-game playoff experience and is as cold-blooded as they come. Expect to see the Celtics run Pierce off screens the way they usually do with Allen, forcing Anthony to chase him and exert extra energy on the defensive end. Undoubtedly the key matchup in the series.

Advantage: Even

if you read WHY they say the matchup btwm pierce and melo is even - they make a fair point. they even say that melo can dominate more, but when it comes to clutch shooting, pierce is right there with him - ESPECIALLY in the playoffs.

now let's go to the center match-up:

Center
Ronny Turiaf vs. Shaquille O'Neal

Shaq can still be a dominant force when healthy, but he's never healthy. He has played a total of only five minutes over the past 2½ months, and his availability for Game 1 (and his effectiveness level) is the biggest question mark Boston has coming into the series. If he can't go, Jermaine O'Neal will start in his place. But he, too, has missed major time because of injuries, and the Celtics could end up leaning more than they'd like on Nenad Krstic, who came over in the Kendrick Perkins trade. Turiaf is a banger who will be encouraged to bang, and D'Antoni will supplement him with Shelden Williams and Jared Jeffries, both of whom are limited players (Jeffries is a horrible offensive player, Williams is a power forward masquerading as a center).

Advantage: Celtics

the article is spot on. this is no contest, shaq at 40 yrs old and 400 lbs is STILL better than turiaf. just his sheer size alone will be key if he is healthy enough to play.

I call BS. This basketball, and you need to be able to run up and down the court for 25-30 minutes, the big old BULL SHaq Is Toast.

nixluva wrote:Pierce has done more in his career, but there's no way in H E L L that I give him the EDGE in this series, which means he's gonna outplay Melo. I just don't see it. Pierce's impact can seem bigger cuz he's on a better team and can float and be opportunistic. He saves his energy for late game situations and that's how he's able to be so effective for his team. When you watch the games you really don't feel like Pierce is taking over for 30 minutes. It's usually a spurt of great play where he's hitting big shots that matter. That's Pierce's biggest contribution.

Melo will have the scoring and rebounding edge on Pierce IMO. Hopefully he can hit some big shots for us as well. For once we have a player that is just as good as Pierce in terms of hitting clutch shots. Maybe this time it's us on the winning end for a change. Rather than the C's running Pierce off screens to tire out Melo, I say we'll be the ones doing most of that. Besides we play a switching defense anyway and Melo won't be chasing Pierce all over the court. This writer sounds like he's never seen the Knicks play.

Mray20 wrote:

fishmike wrote:

Small Forward

Pierce

Anthony
Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul Pierce
If a game comes down to one shot, one of these two guys is going to take it. Both are supremely confident shooters and exceptional one-on-one players, though Anthony has the ability to be more of a dominant force offensively because his size and strength make him an especially tough player to defend. Anthony has become a 43 percent 3-point shooter with the Knicks and is now confidently firing them up from well beyond the arc. Pierce has more big-game playoff experience and is as cold-blooded as they come. Expect to see the Celtics run Pierce off screens the way they usually do with Allen, forcing Anthony to chase him and exert extra energy on the defensive end. Undoubtedly the key matchup in the series.

Advantage: Even

gotta say I disagree with both of you.

If I am a Celtics fan and you tell me Knicks get the advantage w/ Melo my response is "wtf has Melo done? Pierce is a champ and the go to clutch scorer on many deep playoff runs and is an NBA champ. Piss off"

Do I think Melo is better, more productive and will outplay PP in this series? I do.. all of those things, but he's got to prove it. He's advanced ONE year in the playoffs and his overall record is terrible. ESPN's shots at Melo have definatly helped me get behind our guy here. Not to mention Melo has been the hottest player in the league for a few weeks right now.

All in all until proved otherwise this matchup is even

On the bench:
Why isnt it even? I think the Celtics have more 'better' players, but of ALL the bench players mentioned only one is really an impact player and thats Toney Douglas. There isnt anyone who can impact the game off the bench like TD with his scoring and his defense.

Would anyone be shocked if Douglas shot 8-14, hit 5-9 from downtown and scored 25 points in 28 minutes and dished out 5 assists and had 3 steals in game one and the Knicks win? I mean we have all seen him do that... in 28 games (post all star) Douglas is averaging 13.5ppg 4.5apg 3rebs. Thats a bigtime weapon off the bench. Plays both guard spots, plays defense, etc etc. Not shy about being a TD fan

It's funny how people forget the past, exactly what did Paul Pierce do before future hall of famers Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett came to the Celtics ? Nothing! Yea he made it to the playoffs a few times but never went to the Finals and his team was in the lottery a few times , Melo has gone to the Playoffs every year of his career including his rookie season . Pierce did not become a "Winner" until Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett played beside him so let's relax please. He never played D until they got their either because he didn't have to expend as much energey on the offensive end. Melo is a superstar top 10 Player and I do not recall Paul Pierce being mentioned as top 10 at any point in his career.

Melo won every year? Yea... his team was pretty solid and he never advanced until his team was loaded, so you can say EXACTLY the same thing about MElo you just said about Pierce. Melo might have won 4 playoff games in 4-5 years before Billups got there + other parts.

Its gonna be good... lots to prove. Good juice building here