Paul Pierce: A Wannabe Superstar

"I am just as good as Kobe, D-Wade, and LeBron."

Yes, it's true: I absolutely hate the Celtics, I am a die-hard Laker fan, and I make no apologies for this. 

Paul Pierce is a star, and I take nothing away from that status, but he is not, nor has he ever been a superstar. 

He has endurance like nobody's business, and he will possibly make it to the Hall of Fame.

But his team is on summer break and a superstar in my mind would have been able to take them over the top. 

Kobe, in the same position, up three games to two with the Celtics' current roster, (not what he had against Phoenix) would be playing LeBron now, and so would D-Wade.

In crunch time, Pierce usually shows up, but to watch him miss crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter shows he didn't have the stamina or will to win it all this year. If he hits his free throws, the Bulls are done in five games, and the Celtics can rest and prepare for Orlando.

Because he didn't make his free throws, Boston had to play an additional two games and had nothing in the tank when Orlando came to town. 

It's easy to look back at last year with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen on the floor with Pierce, but as soon as Garnett goes down, Pierce became what he has been his entire career: a star who can't get it done. 

You can't place blame on Garnett for not being available, as "Big Baby" Davis provided points and rebounds in his absence. 

Perhaps if Pierce gets in the gym and works out this summer, he can get in better condition, as superstars work year-round on their game. 

Kobe, D-Wade, and LeBron put in work, and that's why two of them are still competing in 2009. I'm just saying!