A lot of talk this morning will be about Big Baby nailing that shot a the buzzer. And it should be. That was a cool as ice moment and clearly the biggest shot of his life. But some of that talk should go Paul Pierce's way, too, because I don't know if ANY other star player makes the pass in that situation.
Paul got the screen from Baby, and Dwight Howard came up on him. He still had 2 seconds on the clock. Rashard Lewis jabs at him, but never really commits to coming back. Paul was hot for most of the game. But he didn't cross Dwight over and go for the shot. He didn't up-fake to draw a foul. He didn't fire up a fadeaway prayer.
Nope. Paul Pierce… a man who has hit a million shots in that situation… passed the ball. Big Baby was wide open. Splash. Ballgame.
Paul didn't force a single thing. He didn't try to find Ray. He didn't force it to Eddie House. He didn't hand it to Rondo (who was the most open guy on the court). He gave it to a second year player who, at the beginning of the season, was making about 30% of those shots. That, my friends, is trusting a teammate. It's also trusting the offense.
Davis was the third option on the play. Ray was #1, but Hedo Turkoglu climbed into his shorts and wouldn't leave for the entire play. Paul was #2, but I guess staring at Dwight Howard in your face isn't the most appetizing option. Baby was option #3, setting his second pick on the play, which got himself open. Just a beautiful play, a beautiful pass, and a beautiful shot.
Herald: Celtics go Big for win | Big moment for Big Baby | Paul Pierce at his best | Perkins shrugs off pain | Magical road trip | No Magic formula for Davis | Globe: Baby delivers | Game 4 photos | Big man, bigger shot | Temple figured prominently | Big moment no longer his | Jones on hand to root | Marbury glad to get an assist | Camerato: C's escape with unlikely win | Daily Dime: Davis proves practice makes perfect | Yao-less Rockets drill Lakers
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