This is an awful lineup. Pierce is light years better than McGrady. Maybe McHale but to doesn't matter.
pierce is better than prime tmac? that's new. never heard of that. very refreshing
tmac
2× All-NBA First Team (2002–2003)
3× All-NBA Second Team (2001, 2004, 2007)
2× All-NBA Third Team (2005, 2008)
2× NBA scoring champion (2003–2004)
pierce
All-NBA Second Team (2009)
3× All-NBA Third Team (2002–2003, 2008)
why prime tmac is better than prime pierce
1. and 9 out of 10 GM would take prime tmac to start a team over pierce. hell, if kobe and tmac were both FA in 02-03, i would say it would say 5 out 10 GMs would've taken tmac over friggin KOBE.
2. arguably tmac was the best player in the league in 02-03 season. 32.1 avg. carried his team to playoffs.
3. tmac is much better basketball talent. This is not debatable. tmac was better scorer, better passer, and better rebounder
4. tmac has better measurables - taller, longer, and more athletic.
only thing pierce has on tmac is intangibles and perceived clutchness. i'm not a big 'clutch' guy. it's overrated. it's a team game. and tmac put up very good numbers in the playoffs. and he made plenty of big shots in his career. IMO, tmac would've been a great pippen. he never was a lead dog material. he puts too much pressure on his shoulders.
and clutch factor doesn't even matter in this debate. because both pierce & tmac aren't lead dogs here. tmac won't have a pressure to carry the team. he will cruise as #3 or even 4th option.
light years better?