NBA Playoffs 2012: Paul Pierce Needs to Be "The Truth" for Celtics in Game 7

Game 7.

Those two combined words are what makes or breaks athletes. There is nothing else like it. It's win or go home for both teams. The stage cannot possibly be any larger.

Now the Boston Celtics, for the sixth time since the Big Three formed in 2007, are facing a Game 7 as they play the Philadelphia 76ers in a winner-take-all game in Boston on Saturday.

Of course, we all know that it didn't have to be this way for the C's, as they blew numerous opportunities to make this a short series. But we've been through that already. None of that matters now.

The fact is, Boston's playoff life is on the line. The Big Three era is on the line.

Win, and the Celtics advance to the Eastern Conference Finals to play the Miami Heat. Lose, and it will probably be the last time we see Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen walk off the court as a collective unit.

So, who is going to be the guy to step up for Boston in this potentially legacy-altering game?

Most are saying that the key to Game 7 is Rajon Rondo. After watching a putrid Game 6 performance, many observers (including myself) expect the rather enigmatic point guard to bounce back in a big way on Saturday night. However, don't count me in the group that says Rondo will be the primary reason as to whether the C's win or lose.

Don't get me wrong. I think Rondo is imperative to Boston's chances, but I don't think he is the key.

Garnett? Well, he is going to do what he does. More than likely, he is going to score 20 points, grab 10 boards and be an absolute monster defensively. We know what K.G. is going to give Boston.

Allen? He is merely a shell of what he was earlier in the season. The bone spurs in his ankle have completely debilitated him, and it was actually a sad sight to see the 76ers virtually ignoring Allen and daring him to shoot in Game 6. Think about that: an opponent was actually inviting the all-time leader in three-point field goals to shoot the basketball. Whatever he gives the Celtics in Game 7 will be gravy, as, given his current state, I do not expect much.

That brings us to Pierce.

The Truth. The man who exploded for 41 points in a Game 7 in 2008 against the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers. The man who went off for 36 points and 14 rebounds in what was a must win in Game 2 against the Atlanta Hawks earlier in the playoffs. He is the player who most needs to step up in this series-deciding game against Philadelphia.

The thing is, you really don't know what you are going to get from Pierce right now. While his knee appears to be getting better, he still has moments on the court where you can tell that he is not 100 percent. At the same time, though, he has instances where he barrels to the rim with such ferocity that you think you're watching film of Pierce from 2008.

Boston needs to see the latter Pierce in Game 7.

There is a reason why Pierce has been dubbed "The Truth." He is one of the most clutch players in the league. He is a cold-blooded killer who ups his game like no other in big spots. And what spot could be bigger than a Game 7?

Pierce is well aware of the fact that this is likely the Celtics' last chance with its current roster, and taking into consideration how close he has gotten to Garnett and Allen since they arrived nearly five years ago, I can't imagine him not coming up huge on Saturday.

What kind of effort can we expect from Pierce? Well, I expect Doc Rivers to try and establish him early. I expect Rivers to run some misdirection plays for the 34-year-old veteran and to draw up some pick and rolls with him accompanied by either Garnett or Brandon Bass.

If Pierce is able to get going in the first quarter, there may be no stopping him. We may very well see another performance like the one he put forth in his famous duel with LeBron in '08.

Does Boston need Pierce to score 41 to win? Probably (hopefully) not, but it does need him to be The Truth, and I fully expect that we will see that side of Pierce on Saturday night.