As expected, Paul Pierce made the cut thanks to arguably the greatest run of versatile play in his career. Injuries to Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen have forced Pierce to adjust his game based on what the Celtics need, and he's responded with a 10-rebound night and two 10-assist performances, as well as the steady scoring production we've come to expect.
After three teammates accompanied Pierce to Los Angeles a year ago, Pierce will be on his own in Orlando this season. The Celtics' recent winning ways did not convince the fan voters or the coaches to honor more than a single Celtic.
Allen might be wondering what more he has to do. He's taken fewer shots per game than ever before, but he's connecting on more than half of his 3-pointers, the best percentage of his career. Plus, he remains close to automatic from the free throw line.
The stats also fail to tell the story for Kevin Garnett, who is still a top-notch defensive player regardless of his drop in scoring and rebounding.
And then there's Rondo. Before a sprained right wrist sidelined him for eight games, Rondo re-established himself as one of the top point guards in the league. Had he been healthy all season, he would have been a shoe-in for a trip to Orlando, but he's missed a third of the Celtics' games.
