Chris Paul Pierce can't hide it anymore.
With ten games played this season, this tenth overall pick in the first round has already moved his name from the "reserve watch list" to the top of each team's scouting reports.
During the months of the lockout, while the entire league was on long vacations, partying, and indulging in food, Pierce locked himself in the training facility at the University of Kansas, reducing his body fat to single digits. His solid lower body strength, combined with his unorthodox yet extremely lethal jab steps and back-to-the-basket footwork, allowed him to dominate the transition phase like a wolf among sheep, with opposing reserve forwards completely unable to match his toughness.
Post-up, face-up jab step, step-back jumper, fadeaway jumper.
Pierce's offensive arsenal was comprehensive, but what was even more impressive was his basketball IQ. He knew exactly how to exploit his opponents' weaknesses. Against a slender opponent, he would seek contact and contact. Against a strong opponent, he would use his solid technique to break through the defense, making him unpredictable and difficult to defend against.
In the tenth game, an away game against the Charlotte Hornets, Pierce came off the bench and played 24 minutes, shooting 11-for-16 and scoring an efficient 28 points.
At the post-game press conference, facing a barrage of questions, Doc Rivers said in his signature husky voice, "His offense has reached All-Star level."
The praise was overwhelming, but back in the coaching office in Boston, the coaching staff faced an awkward situation.
The team's current starting small forward is Robert Horry.
Horry is a perfect piece of the championship puzzle. He can defend positions three through five on the defensive end and also has a reliable three-point shot to create space on the perimeter.
The problem is that since the start of this season, Horry's presence on the offensive end has become increasingly less noticeable.
He doesn't actively reach for the ball, nor does he hold it. Most of the time, he just stands quietly in the weak-side corner, spreading out his defense and waiting for a ball that might never be passed to him.
One is a starter who doesn't compete or fight for position and is content to play a supporting role.
One is a fiercely competitive rookie who seems intent on tearing apart the defense with every touch of the ball.
The conflict between team status and tactical configuration is now on the table.
Doc Rivers kept the idea of changing the formation to himself for three days.
The tactical solution is simple: start Pierce to handle the ball and Horry as a role player. This is the best resource allocation for the team's long-term development.
But these are words that are too difficult to say in social situations.
Robert Horry was a player that General Manager Lin Qi managed to snatch from the Rockets and Barkley trade storm, defying all opposition. In recent years, with Boston's resurgence, Horry has secured a starting position and is the most trusted part of Lin Qi's defensive system.
Now, just because a rookie has played ten good games, they're going to remove a veteran from the starting lineup? How will the locker room react? Will the media sensationalize it as the team "crossing the river and burning the bridge"?
Doc Rivers was racking his brains in his office, struggling to find the right moment to communicate, when the office door was pushed open.
Horry walked in.
The gym was quiet after the training session.
Horry walked into the head coach's office and sat down opposite Doc Rivers.
" Doc, wanna chat for a bit?"
" Robert?" Doc Rivers was somewhat surprised, and instinctively straightened up. "Is there a problem?"
Horry leaned back in his chair, his expression as calm as ever, even a little languid. "Let's talk about the starting lineup."
Doc Rivers' heart skipped a beat. He thought Horry had overheard the coaching staff and was coming to demand an explanation.
" Robert, listen to me," Doc Rivers quickly gathered his thoughts, trying to minimize the impact, " Chris Paul's recent performance certainly needs more time, but the coaching staff has never doubted your position and role in the team..."
Doc.
Horry raised his hand to interrupt Doc Rivers ' explanation.
He chuckled, his tone relaxed. "You've misunderstood. I'm not here to ask for possession; I want to give up my starting position."
Doc Rivers froze on the spot, swallowing back the words of comfort that were stuck in his throat.
"That kid's current form and spirit are good enough for him to be a starter."
Doc Rivers stared at Horry for a few seconds, making sure the other wasn't being sarcastic. " Robert, are you serious? You've been a regular starter for this team all these years."
"I'm serious." Horry's smile faded, and he tapped his finger lightly on the desk. "For the team to move forward, we need players like Chris Paul. He needs to start playing with Garnett and Gary Payton as soon as possible to fully unleash his offensive talent in high-intensity games. Playing against the opponent's rotation on the bench every day won't develop the tough-on skills needed for the playoffs."
"Starting him will allow him to develop faster, and it will also be most beneficial for the team's regular season record."
Doc Rivers listened quietly without interrupting.
"And, Doc," Horry's eyes flickered, revealing a veteran's clear-headedness, "The regular season requires someone to dedicate a lot of time and possessions to maximizing output, but the playoffs aren't played that way. In the most crucial games, when the score is close in the final minutes and everyone's defense is at its maximum, the court needs a certain type of player."
"We need someone who doesn't usually dominate the ball, but can make the shot in the most crucial possessions."
The office fell silent.
Doc Rivers looked at Horry and finally understood the veteran's intention.
You want to go to the bench to rest and recharge.
"Right." Horry stood up. "Let Chris Paul lead the charge and wear down their key players. I don't need to prove myself as a regular season starter. Just keep me on the bench and bring me in at the most crucial moments."
"I will be responsible for the final settlement."
That evening, Doc Rivers reported the contents of the conversation to Lin Qi.
In the general manager's office, after listening to Doc Rivers ' report, Lin Qi remained silent for a moment, then laughed.
"He contacted you first?"
"He came to me on his own initiative." Doc Rivers chuckled self-deprecatingly. "I was still racking my brains over the locker room conflict, but he figured out the pros and cons himself. This Robert, he's better at assessing situations than anyone else."
"Then let's do as he says." Lin Qi looked out the window, his eyes full of admiration.
To everyone else, Horry was simply making a generous concession that benefited the rookie's development. But only Lin Qi, with his memories of the future, knew what this decision meant for the Celtics ' playoff run.
In the history of basketball, Robert Horry's regular season statistics were never particularly impressive, but he had a nickname that resonated throughout the league - "Big Shot Mr. Clutch ".
He doesn't need to score 20 points per game to dominate, but in the playoffs and NBA Finals, he makes countless crucial three-pointers in those life-or-death situations.
Now, this natural playoff clutch player has proactively positioned himself in the position best suited to unleash his offensive power.
"He's right." Lin Qi turned his gaze back to Doc Rivers and said, "Make adjustments. Start Pierce, and play Horry more in crucial moments."
Following the announcement of the new starting lineup, Boston media and commentators were overwhelmingly pessimistic.
"If rookies displace veteran players, the Celtics ' locker room is bound to have problems sooner or later."
" Horry can't be without complaints; this radical tactical change will destroy the team's defensive cohesion."
The outside world was waiting to see the Boston Celtics ' internal strife unfold, but the locker room remained as calm as if nothing had happened.
In the first game after the lineup change, Pierce made his first start for the Celtics.
The young players were full of energy, playing extremely aggressively on both offense and defense, and helping the team establish a lead through continuous face-up drives to the basket.
Horry, meanwhile, sat quietly on the bench, draped in a towel, observing the defensive positions on the field, occasionally standing up to applaud Pierce's goals.
With two minutes remaining in the game, the opponent launched a counterattack, narrowing the gap to just two points, instantly creating a tense atmosphere on the court.
Doc Rivers substituted the exhausted Pierce, then turned to the bench. " Robert, come on."
Horry ripped off his jacket and walked calmly onto the pitch.
In the final decisive possession, Garnett was double-teamed in the paint, and after several passes, the ball found Horry lurking in the left corner.
He jumped, released his hand, and acted without the slightest hesitation.
Swish.
The three-pointer sealed the victory, completely ending any suspense in the game.
After landing, Horry remained calm, simply turning around to give a high-five to his teammates who were running over. His face showed no emotional fluctuation, as if he had just completed a shooting practice.
Watching this scene from the bench, Pierce, who had been feeling a bit smug about getting a starting position, instantly calmed down.
At that moment, this proud rookie truly understood the team's essence: in Boston, a starting position doesn't mean anything; the real champion is the ability to make crucial plays in suffocating situations.
Inside the players' tunnel, Lin Qi watched Horry's retreating figure as he headed towards the locker room, nodded, and smiled slightly.
Boston's winning formula has been pieced together with its most crucial element.