Paul Pierce its your time!

Paul Pierce's 57 postseason games played are the most by a Celtic who has never won an NBA title.

A Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals brings many classic memories to mind. Most of these memories are distant, dating back to an era where Michael Jordan was a brash kid and NBA scouts were drooling over the likes of Armon Gilliam and Dennis Hopson.

PIERCE: HIGHEST PPG VS. SINGLE FOE
Opponent PPG Games
Lakers 27.9 16
Nuggets 27.3 18
Suns 27.2 18
SuperSonics 25.4 17
Warriors 25.1 17

But in the 21 years since these old rivals have met in the finals, the greatest Celtic of the "down" period in franchise history has also made a name for himself against the Lakers. Pierce, who grew up in Inglewood, Calif., in the shadows of the Great Western Forum, has always saved his best for the Lakers.

Pierce has averaged 27.9 points per game in his career versus the Lakers, more than his average against any other team. In fact, March 13, 2001 could be considered his unofficial entry into the league's elite. Pierce scored 42 points on 13-of-19 shooting in a 112-107 loss at L.A.

Pierce was nearing the end of his breakthrough third season at the time. He averaged more than 20 points (25.1 ppg) for the first time and took the reins from Antoine Walker (23.4 ppg) as the C's leading scorer. What happened after the game is what made it a watershed moment in Pierce's career, though.

Shaquille O'Neal, in the midst of his three-peat and a role as the most dominant force in the game, pulled a Boston reporter aside and offered the following: "Take this down. My name is Shaquille O'Neal, and Paul Pierce is the [expletive] truth. Quote me on that, and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."

HIGHEST ACTIVE PPG VS. LAKERS
Foe PPG
Gilbert Arenas 29.1
LeBron James 28.8
***Paul Pierce*** 27.9
Allen Iverson 27.0
Shaquille O'Neal 26.0

Pierce is a unique character in these Finals. He is the one member of the Celtics' big three who has been in Boston through plenty of lean years. He also grew up in Inglewood during the 1980s, where the Showtime Lakers were the hottest attraction in town. And his numbers show that he brings something "extra" when he plays the Lakers.

Despite the tremendous scoring average, perhaps the most impressive aspect of his game against the Lakers is that he has averaged 10.7 free-throw attempts per game, which is proof of his more aggressive approach attacking the basket against LA.

When Pierce has been criticized in the past, one of the main weaknesses that his detractors see in him is a tendency to fall in love with his jumper too much at times. Pierce's ability and willingness to attack the rim could prove crucial in this series.

In his career, Pierce has seven 30-point games and one 40-point game against Los Angeles.