[TRC1991Participant]

After reading Paul Pierce’s interview about some of his former teammates, I just started to think about who had the better career… I want your opinions too

Paul Pierce aka The Truth

– 10x all-star

– NBA champion

– NBA Finals MVP

– NBA Rookie 1st team

– NBA 3-point shootout champion

– 1x NBA 2nd team

– 3x NBA 3rd team

– 2nd leading scorer in Boston Celtics history

– Consensus 1st team all-american (1998)

– No.34 retired by Kansas

– career averages: 21.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.8 apg, 45/37/81 shooting clip, 1.4 spg, 36.1 mpg

– best year (2005-2006): 26.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 47/35/77 shooting clip, 1.4 spg, 39 mpg

– 26th all time in scoring: 25,899 points

 

Ray Allen aka Jesus Shuttlesworth 

– 10x All Star

– 2x NBA Champion

– All Time leader in 3-pointers made 

– 1x NBA 2nd team

– 1x NBA 3rd team

– NBA rookie second team

– NBA three point shootout champion 

– Olympic Gold Medalist (2000)

– FIBA World Champion (2006)

– Consensus 1st team all-american (1996)

– USA Male Basketball Player of the Year (1995)

– 22nd in NBA history in points (24,505)

– Career averages: 18.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.1 spg, 45/40/89 shooting clip, 35.6 mpg

– Best year (2003-2003): 24.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 5.6 rpg, 1.6 spg, 44/35/92 shooting clip, 41 mpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TRC1991Participant]

It’s incredibly hard, but I’m going with Pierce because of his epic battles with LeBron over the years, his NBA Finals MVP award, more dominating career stats, more dominant in his prime IMO, but Ray played my hometown Sonics and was a joy to watch…Both are sure-fire hall of famers, I just feel that Pierce had more years that I would put in the ‘excellent’ category than Ray.

[TRC1991Participant]

It’s incredibly hard, but I’m going with Pierce because of his epic battles with LeBron over the years, his NBA Finals MVP award, more dominating career stats, more dominant in his prime IMO, but Ray played my hometown Sonics and was a joy to watch…Both are sure-fire hall of famers, I just feel that Pierce had more years that I would put in the ‘excellent’ category than Ray.

[CynthiaParticipant]

Definitely tough but I’m going to go with Ray Allen. He’s one of if not the best shooter of all time, and people forget in his younger days he was not just a jump shooter. He used to be very athletic and could drive with the best of them. I remember the good ol’ days of Ray Allen & Rashard Lewis on the Bucks (yes Rashard Lewis was actually good at one point). Probably one of the most entertaining duos I’ve ever seen, although Pierce & Walker was a pretty good and fun duo too.

Like I said it’s tough, really tough. But I have the same BDay as Ray Allen so I’ve always had a slight bias towards him. He also starred in my favorite basketball movie of all time.

 

[CynthiaParticipant]

Definitely tough but I’m going to go with Ray Allen. He’s one of if not the best shooter of all time, and people forget in his younger days he was not just a jump shooter. He used to be very athletic and could drive with the best of them. I remember the good ol’ days of Ray Allen & Rashard Lewis on the Bucks (yes Rashard Lewis was actually good at one point). Probably one of the most entertaining duos I’ve ever seen, although Pierce & Walker was a pretty good and fun duo too.

Like I said it’s tough, really tough. But I have the same BDay as Ray Allen so I’ve always had a slight bias towards him. He also starred in my favorite basketball movie of all time.

 

[benny15Participant]

You mean with the sonics, and yeah, rashard was such a dynamic scoring threat, was huge fan especially since he was a second round steal. I also remember Ray Allen forming one of the best shooting back courts with Sam cassell and Michael redd of the bench. 

As for the opening thread question, I’m a bigger ray Allen fan but I think pierce has had the better career. Like someone said, his peak was better than shutlesworth’s.

[benny15Participant]

You mean with the sonics, and yeah, rashard was such a dynamic scoring threat, was huge fan especially since he was a second round steal. I also remember Ray Allen forming one of the best shooting back courts with Sam cassell and Michael redd of the bench. 

As for the opening thread question, I’m a bigger ray Allen fan but I think pierce has had the better career. Like someone said, his peak was better than shutlesworth’s.

[CynthiaParticipant]

Yeah my bad, his Bucks buddy was Glenn Robinson. Not quite as entertaining as him and Rashard.

[CynthiaParticipant]

Yeah my bad, his Bucks buddy was Glenn Robinson. Not quite as entertaining as him and Rashard.

[220Participant]

 It’s certainly a close call, but I’d have to choose Ray Allen. In his prime he was an awesome player who as Cynthia mentioned was incredibly athletic and would take it to the rim fearlessly.  Ray was also always a great shooter which made him incredibly hard to defend in his prime as he could still blow by defenders.

Pierce and Allen are both future hall of fame guys, but I have to choose Ray Allen.

 

 

[220Participant]

 It’s certainly a close call, but I’d have to choose Ray Allen. In his prime he was an awesome player who as Cynthia mentioned was incredibly athletic and would take it to the rim fearlessly.  Ray was also always a great shooter which made him incredibly hard to defend in his prime as he could still blow by defenders.

Pierce and Allen are both future hall of fame guys, but I have to choose Ray Allen.

 

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I don’t really think there’s a wrong answer here. Personally, I think pierce at his best probably impacted the game a little bit more. He was a better one on one go to scorer, better at creating shots for teammates, and a better rebounder and defender. Allen is one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen and was a phenomenal all-around player in his own right during his prime. Both were able to transition nicely into more supporting roles once their natural abilities started to decline. I’m going with pierce, but I don’t think you could go wrong either way.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I don’t really think there’s a wrong answer here. Personally, I think pierce at his best probably impacted the game a little bit more. He was a better one on one go to scorer, better at creating shots for teammates, and a better rebounder and defender. Allen is one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen and was a phenomenal all-around player in his own right during his prime. Both were able to transition nicely into more supporting roles once their natural abilities started to decline. I’m going with pierce, but I don’t think you could go wrong either way.

[MorseWillParticipant]

 Good Question… Personally pick Rays career as perhaps the best shooter of all time (watch out for steph). Good years with the Bucks, Sonics, Celts and Heat, always a great teammate as well.

All time Scoring- Its notes that Pierce is 25th all time scoring at 25,899; and Ray is 22nd all time at 24,505… Somewhere those numbers don’t add up, anyone have the numbers?

[MorseWillParticipant]

 Good Question… Personally pick Rays career as perhaps the best shooter of all time (watch out for steph). Good years with the Bucks, Sonics, Celts and Heat, always a great teammate as well.

All time Scoring- Its notes that Pierce is 25th all time scoring at 25,899; and Ray is 22nd all time at 24,505… Somewhere those numbers don’t add up, anyone have the numbers?

[cabbycabParticipant]

 Neck and Neck as far career goes.  I def think Pierce is the better player however.  Pierce in his prime was as tough to guard 1 on 1 as anybody.  Real clutch too and can carry a team in the final minutes.  

[cabbycabParticipant]

 Neck and Neck as far career goes.  I def think Pierce is the better player however.  Pierce in his prime was as tough to guard 1 on 1 as anybody.  Real clutch too and can carry a team in the final minutes.  

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 if you look at it their accomplishments are almost similar- meaning numerous all star appearances,neither have made an all nba team,but both were named 2nd and 3rd teamers…..both guys careers seemed to peak and decline around the same time….

there was a period from 2004 to 2010 when you could’ve made a case for pierce being among the nba’s top 5 players during those years.. i disliked his attitude & quirky personality,but man he was clutch…

but i have to go with allen,becuz of his ability as a playmaker,defense,athleticism and outstanding shooting….

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

 if you look at it their accomplishments are almost similar- meaning numerous all star appearances,neither have made an all nba team,but both were named 2nd and 3rd teamers…..both guys careers seemed to peak and decline around the same time….

there was a period from 2004 to 2010 when you could’ve made a case for pierce being among the nba’s top 5 players during those years.. i disliked his attitude & quirky personality,but man he was clutch…

but i have to go with allen,becuz of his ability as a playmaker,defense,athleticism and outstanding shooting….

[mgreener_34Participant]

I have a stong connection to both of these players, so this is tough. I was born in and grew up in Boston, but I’ve lived in Uconn since I was 11. These two guys are the most iconic ballers in my life, and as you can imagine, that 2008 run was really something special for me!

But I think you have to go with Pierce on this on, and here’s why:  http://www.youtube.com/watch

Ray will never have an emotional tie to a team like Pierce does to the Celtics. Watching Pierces career with one team for the most part was mesmorizing because you got caught up in all the ups and downs, so when both players finally came together and won, believe me when I say it meant more for Paul Pierce and the Boston fans than any team Ray played on. 

Also, I’m shocked that no one has mentioned that these two guys are two of, if not the top 2, clutch players from their generation! Watching these guys work in the clutch was a thing of beauty, and I’d love to know the stats for how many game winners these two have recorded. But I think it’s Pierces craftiness with the ball, again, which gives him the edge over Ray. Ray lost that ability with age, but Pierce still has that "old mans game" to him. 

One quick anecdote for you guys that has to do with careers. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Ray Allen this year, as he stopped into my store to get something to drink while he was training in UConn for his NBA comback. Obviously I went wild, and he was nice enough to take a picture with me. During the picture I as talking to him, and was reciting off his accolades. My exact words to him were:

" 2008 nba title, all time three pointers made, hit the greatest shot in the history of basketball. The only blemish on your career is that the Monstars never stole your stroke in Space Jam."

I made Ray allen laugh 

[mgreener_34Participant]

I have a stong connection to both of these players, so this is tough. I was born in and grew up in Boston, but I’ve lived in Uconn since I was 11. These two guys are the most iconic ballers in my life, and as you can imagine, that 2008 run was really something special for me!

But I think you have to go with Pierce on this on, and here’s why:  http://www.youtube.com/watch

Ray will never have an emotional tie to a team like Pierce does to the Celtics. Watching Pierces career with one team for the most part was mesmorizing because you got caught up in all the ups and downs, so when both players finally came together and won, believe me when I say it meant more for Paul Pierce and the Boston fans than any team Ray played on. 

Also, I’m shocked that no one has mentioned that these two guys are two of, if not the top 2, clutch players from their generation! Watching these guys work in the clutch was a thing of beauty, and I’d love to know the stats for how many game winners these two have recorded. But I think it’s Pierces craftiness with the ball, again, which gives him the edge over Ray. Ray lost that ability with age, but Pierce still has that "old mans game" to him. 

One quick anecdote for you guys that has to do with careers. I actually had the pleasure of meeting Ray Allen this year, as he stopped into my store to get something to drink while he was training in UConn for his NBA comback. Obviously I went wild, and he was nice enough to take a picture with me. During the picture I as talking to him, and was reciting off his accolades. My exact words to him were:

" 2008 nba title, all time three pointers made, hit the greatest shot in the history of basketball. The only blemish on your career is that the Monstars never stole your stroke in Space Jam."

I made Ray allen laugh 

[TRC1991Participant]

Wow. So far we have

Pierce – 4 votes

Allen – 4 votes

I figured this was gonna be a close one!

Thanks for all the great feedback. There might not have been a more competitive player in the NBA than Paul Pierce during his prime. 

I remember in the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, which were beyond epic, in that game 7 when LeBron had 45 and Pierce had 41… In the 4th quarter, Pierce took a deep 3 and missed it, LeBron said something to him, and he looked at LeBron and said "At least I got the balls to take that shot!" 

I realized at that point Paul Pierce would be an NBA Finals MVP someday

[TRC1991Participant]

Wow. So far we have

Pierce – 4 votes

Allen – 4 votes

I figured this was gonna be a close one!

Thanks for all the great feedback. There might not have been a more competitive player in the NBA than Paul Pierce during his prime. 

I remember in the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, which were beyond epic, in that game 7 when LeBron had 45 and Pierce had 41… In the 4th quarter, Pierce took a deep 3 and missed it, LeBron said something to him, and he looked at LeBron and said "At least I got the balls to take that shot!" 

I realized at that point Paul Pierce would be an NBA Finals MVP someday

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 it really is hard to rate the impact of each of them…I feel like Pierce would be the better choice if you wanted someone to carry a team but if you were a team which alread had a franchise player in place Allen would fit in better. Pierce was a very good all around player, but Allen is simply the greatest shooter in NBA history (although Curry might have something to say about that when his career ends)

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

 it really is hard to rate the impact of each of them…I feel like Pierce would be the better choice if you wanted someone to carry a team but if you were a team which alread had a franchise player in place Allen would fit in better. Pierce was a very good all around player, but Allen is simply the greatest shooter in NBA history (although Curry might have something to say about that when his career ends)

[OhCanada-Participant]

Its hard not to go with the All-Time 3-pt leader but I’ll have to go with Pierce. During the big-3 in Boston from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 Pierce averaged more points, rebounds, and assists per game while shooting relatively the same percentages. He was the first option and more of an emotional leader then Ray.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Its hard not to go with the All-Time 3-pt leader but I’ll have to go with Pierce. During the big-3 in Boston from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012 Pierce averaged more points, rebounds, and assists per game while shooting relatively the same percentages. He was the first option and more of an emotional leader then Ray.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I believe Pierce has been a better leader as well. Allen is the better shooter, but Pierce in his prime was absolutely awesome.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

I believe Pierce has been a better leader as well. Allen is the better shooter, but Pierce in his prime was absolutely awesome.

[llperez]

 pierce

[llperez]

 pierce

[slash787Participant]

Ray Allen hit one of the greatest shots in the history of the NBA and starred in He Got Game. Love both guys but you have to give it to Ray Ray. 

[slash787Participant]

Ray Allen hit one of the greatest shots in the history of the NBA and starred in He Got Game. Love both guys but you have to give it to Ray Ray. 

[Author]

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