Post by Rog on Oct 8, 2016 18:23:19 GMT
The 50th nominee for the NBN Hall of Fame is seen pretty favorably but a second glance at his stats leaves you wanting more. Was he truly elite and will be recognized as such, or was he just really damn good for a few years that causes an inflation of his perception? Lets take a look.
Career Stats
33.7 MPG, 18.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.7 TOPG on 45.2% from the field, 80.9% from the line, and 42% from three
Best Season
Hornets(2005) - 25.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 2.3 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 3.4 TOPG on 46.1% from the field, 80.7% from the line, and 44.9% from three
Career Highs
Points: 55
Rebounds: 17
Assists: 8
Steals: 7
Blocks: 3
Achievements
Championships: 0
Player of the Game: 34
Player of the Week: 0
Player of the Month: 0
Double Doubles: 173
Triple Doubles: 0
Accolades
2006 - All-Star Game Participant
2009 - All-Star Game Participant
2009 - All-League Third Team
2010 - All-Star Game Participant
Reasons For Induction
- Was a three time All-Star and was also named to an All-League Third team. Small forward has traditionally actually been one of the stronger positions in the league, he was burried but doesn't take away from his greatness. Plus he was a bit turnover prone which can prevent awards in FBB.
- Pierce was a really good scorer, averaging just over 18 a game for his career that was dragged down by the last five years of his career that he held on for way too long and people continued to give him starting jobs. He had a 10 year stretch where he was good for 22 points a game, almost guaranteed. And in that stretch he did that on a 46.5/80/42 slash line that is really, really good.
- Pierce was also a decent rebounder, pretty consistently being over 7 for his career. That number isn't great but it also isn't something that would hurt his teams.
- Overall for piece, he was a good player for 15 years but had a pretty great stretch for 10 years where he was liable to give you 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.7 steals on good percentages while playing good enough defense. For a small forward, I'd say those numbers are pretty damn good.
Arguments Against Induction
- There just flat out is NOT enough here in terms of recognition or titles. He has three All-Stars, one All-League team and that was a third team, and zero titles. Where is the case with those awards? I just don't see it.
- While 7 rebounds isn't going to hurt you, it doesn't help and is more a case against Pierce than it is for him, especially given he played small forward where you have guys doing 8.5+ on the reg.
- Other than scoring, what is there for Pierce? Yes he could give you some solid scoring numbers but gave you nothing else, well except turnovers. Did I mention he was over 3 for a lot of his careers in turnovers? That is a gross number, again especially for a small forward.
- Pierce bounced around a lot, never was really on a consistent winner, and in a lot of ways didn't offer you enough at small forward to be considered above average, let alone a Hall of Famer. Did anyone ever fear playing him in the playoffs the way guys now do Steph Curry, Kyrie Irving, Durant, and Childress? The answer is no, and without some more elite statistics I just don't see the case for him.
Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully!
***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25**
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