Paul Pierce, is that you?

“I get no respect. I played hide-and-seek, and they wouldn’t even look for me.”

That line, according to Wikipedia, is the joke that sent Rodney Dangerfield on to stardom.  Now, Paul Pierce is talking about a similar refrain.  Pierce was playing hide-and-seek last night, and the refs still wouldn’t look for him. (WEEI)

Why are your free throw attempts down this year?

A lot of that has to do with the injuries I had. When I suffered the injury with my knee and my foot I think when I came back I wasn’t quite ready to play and it took from a lot of my aggression of going to the basket and my explosiveness. Lately I’ve been healthy. I think that’s what it is because I have a knack of getting inside, drawing contact and finishing at the rim. That’s part of my game when I’m driving to the hole and drawing contact and I think the reason for that is because I missed games due to injury.

Why don’t you get the benefit of the doubt that other guys get?

I don’t know, maybe it has something to do with the Celtics winning all the championships back in the day and they are still taking it out on us. I’ve always been the Rodney Dangerfield of the league, I get no respect even from day one when I got drafted. It’s something I got to play through and I can’t let it bother or frustrate me because at this point of my career I’m used to it and I feel like it’s made me a better player because when I’m out there I have to earn it.

Dangerfield was funny during his “No Respect” days, but was hysterical in Caddyshack:

“Oh, this your wife, huh? A lovely lady. Hey baby, you must’ve been something before electricity.”

Don’t worry, Pauly Boy.  We respect you.  We most definitely respect you.

We just don’t give you as much love as you give yourself.