Paul Pierce

Only six days remained before the start of the 2002 NBA Playoffs, and for Paul Pierce, a soon-to-be-proven postseason performer, that meant only one thing: raising his shot-making abilities a few tiers higher. Among multiple green jerseys hoping to apply pressure to the Minnesota Timberwolves’ transition defense, Pierce collects a skip-ahead pass from his fellow All-Star teammate, attacking without fear as three opponents impede his path. Fouled, and thus forced into an awkward, switch-hand corkscrew off the glass, Pierce coolly adjusts, banking the acrobatic reverse and-one ahead of Rasho Nesterović’s contest. All smiles, and ever confident after his latest display of bucket-getting brilliance, the 2002 All-NBA Third Team selection — as the record showed — was merely just getting started, as his late-game heroics guided a closely-contested win. Pledging to bring an “extra effort” in hopes of avenging a loss to Minnesota two months prior, Pierce succeeded, tallying 31 points (on 10-of-18 shooting), four rebounds, five assists, two blocks, and two 3-pointers on April 15, 2002. The victory ultimately set backdrops for Boston earning the East’s No. 3 seed, as they finished two wins shy of the NBA Finals in Pierce’s first-ever playoff journey.