Can Danny?

In today's Herald (and now reported at ESPN.com, Paul Pierce weighed in on his frustrations.

"It's definitely another year gone by for me," Pierce told the Boston Herald in a story published Friday. "It's another year we don't get into the postseason. It's another year I don't get recognized for the things I do. I'm the classic case of a great player on a bad team, and it stinks."
Pierce, a five-time All-Star, has suffered through injuries and an 18-game losing streak by Boston this season. Despite those difficulties, Pierce has managed to average 25 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
"I'm waiting to see what happens this summer," he told the paper. "We have to see who we keep and who has enough potential trade value to make a difference.
"I'm not talking about winning a few more games. I'm talking about getting into the playoffs, going deep into the playoffs. I don't want to be a team that just sneaks in. I want to be on a team that everyone says before the season, 'This is a team that's going somewhere,' like Detroit.
"Either we go for it, or we don't."

First off, I'd like to say that I do think Pierce is right about one thing. he is the classic case of a great player on a bad team. He is an uber-talented player who often makes bone-headed moves in key moments, forces his own offense, and isn't someone you can run the offense through. If Pierce is to win, he is going to need to be the second fiddle on a team. While he can have some amazing moments like the Orlando game, more often his attempts at being heroic end in turnovers or forced shots. If the Boston Celtics become the team Pierce is hoping for next season, it will be because they bring in someone who can lead the team and run the offense while Pierce focuses on scoring. Paul Pierce needs to be happy being a very good player on a winning team instead of focusing on being recognized as a great player.

The more pressing issue is that Pierce, as expected, could force Danny's hand this offseason. If he wants to win now (and win at Detroit's level), then we'll need to either get Oden or Durant AND make a move for another key veteran. Unfortunately, right now, the trade value of the Celtics not named Pierce or Jefferson is pretty low. Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, and Gerald Green might have some value but the odds of the team getting equal value for them is slim-to-none. As it stands, this offseason could be very similar to the past Ainge-led offseasons, Danny calls around offering his young guys, can't get equal value, nothing happens. The one difference is that Wally might be such an albatross that we don't even get our annual lateral move (although part of me is afraid that we'll deal him for a headcase signed to a long term deal or dump a young talent to cut a year off of his deal ala the Raef/Roy for Theo/Bassy deal). Also, Ratliff's deal might not be able to be dealt because Al Jefferson is likely to take his spot in the payroll. The C's would have to move Wally's deal first or Wyc and Co. have to bite the bullet and agree to pay the luxury tax one year when Pierce, Jefferson, Wally, and player acquired for Theo are all on the books.

Making matters worse, one thing that could build confidence in Pierce (the team winning after he shuts it down) would actually hurt them in the long run as it could cost them Oden or Durant. Still, all things considered, I think everyone has to hope that the Celtics make a run without Pierce. As I wrote before, being the second worst team guarentees nothing and another long losing streak will only make Paul all the more anxious about deals needing to be made this offseason.

This was already a make-or-break offseason for the Celtics but now it's looking like it could be a no-win situation. In order to build the team that satisfies Pierce, the C's will likely have to give up some of their young talent for less than they are potentially worth. If not that, then Pierce will want out and we'd end up getting dimes on the dollar for him. Hopefully the C's win the lotto and Pierce will be sated by Oden and Durant but if not, this offseason might be uglier than this season.