Paul Pierce

With a decade-long pursuit of a championship — and any criticism associated — officially in the rearview, Paul Pierce entered 2008-09’s season free to test the absolute limits of his already-top-of-the-league confidence. Officially a title-winner, and thus destined to get every opponent’s best shot night-by-night, Pierce adjusts his superhero cape during November 12, 2008’s game with the Boston Celtics behind by one in the final seven seconds. Perennially among the elites in crunchtime situations, Pierce maneuvers his way towards a “sweet spot” against Al Horford’s defense, eventually rising into a game-winning 20-footer, sending the Celtics to 8-1. Perhaps desensitized to Pierce’s greatness by now, given the results of the previous spring’s postseason, Atlanta bore the brunt of an extraordinary game from the All-Star forward. Springboarding the game-winner into a season that would include a No. 4 finish in clutch points (152), and a No. 7 finish in Most Valuable Player voting, Pierce matched his jersey number through a 34-point performance, paired with six rebounds. Equally impressive was Pierce’s efficiency overall (8-of-14), from deep (three-of-seven), and from the free throw line (15-of-16).