After K.G. when it comes to retiring NBA legends this Summer I bet you thought there were would be no tickets left.
But the truth is Kevin Garnett’s former teammate and Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce will join Da Kid, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan in hanging up his sneakers before walking into basketballs Hall of Fame.
But Paul isn’t leaving this game on the double…more like the 82. And however many postseason games he can propel his playoff bound, hometown Los Angeles Clippers too.
Pierce will retire after the forthcoming 2016/2017 Clipper season has concluded. He announced this via a Kobe like black and white portrait post on the sports star diary site The Players Tribune, which the forward player and thinker has wrote candidly and consistently for about his life and times in the NBA over the past few seasons. A players personal site that seems to be in this social media sharing age the new press conference when it comes to big basketball decisions and announcements. See; ‘Durant, Kevin’.
Just days after basketball brother Garnett agreed to a buyout with his signature Minnesota Timberwolves ending his playing days, one of Boston’s greatest Celtics announced he had one more in him. Stating: “Just like any difficult decision, I think you’ve got to be at peace with yourself. I’m at peace with retiring, but I’ve got one more ride left. One more season. One more oppurtunity”. And unlike fellow former big-three partner Ray Allen-whose been out the game for years now but has hinted at many a comeback like the only man he can outshoot Reggie Miller once did-after this one Paul is done. Adding, “I’m going to enjoy every practice, every bus ride, every team dinner, every time running out through the tunnel. I’m going to do my part to give us a shot at the ultimate goal.”
Like Laker legend Kobe Bryant, Clipper Paul Pierce will have one more farewell tour of the league from his Los Angeles home before they send him off to the rocking chair. One made with the same wood they use for Beantown parquet.
He’s come a long way since Kansas. The moment Paul Pierce was drafted by the Boston Celtics ‘The Truth’ was set free. And partnering up with fellow Celtic great Antoine Walker he gave the league it’s best one, two punch after the Lakers dynamic duo of Shaq and Kobe. As a matter of fact it was the genuine giant Shaq that gave P-Double his truthful nickname. Pierce overcame so much. Even death after surviving being stabbed multiple times after a night out in his first years in Boston in what was a few inches away from being a Len Bias like tragedy. The toughest Celtic came back that season, stronger than ever. Playing like he hadn’t even had an injury to overcome, let alone a viscious life and death attack that scars both physically and mental.
The brave Boston son brought the Celtics back. Finally reigniting that legendary Laker rivalry that Boston always beat when the C’s moved with the times and saw it took more than two. Years after Antoine walked, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and of course P-Double, Paul Pierce formed the original big-three before Miami…or at least the first once since Allen alingned with Glenn Robinson and Kevin’s former teammate Sam Cassell in Milwaukee for Bucks. This was the biggest three Beantown had seen since Larry Bird was throwing it up from downtown. Of course there was championships and contention too. As another great Celtic champagne club was the toast of New England traditon and Boston pride.
But then rebuilding changes everything. And just when Boston looked to be adding more with Rajon Rondo a wrecking ball came to the Garden like the early 90’s. Picking up the pieces Brooklyn threw bucks at Pierce and Garnett so they would start shooting at their nets. But after that didn’t work out and K.G. brought a ticket home, Paul would do the same via a trip to the nations capital in D.C. for a spell with the Washington Wizards.
Now a Clipper this short stint is as significant as Pierce’s time with the Wizards that showed he still had the same tricks, no need for a trade. But let’s not write this mans career eulogy just yet. One of Boston’s best for all-time, top five, like the legend of Larry or Lord of the Rings, Bill Russell is still one of the premier perimeter players off the bench and clutch heart killer (just ask the Knicks). It’s not time to roll him out on a wheelchair like the Lakers just yet. These Los Angeles times could see him help Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan, Blake Griffin and reunited Celtic championship coach Doc Rivers make some real banner worthy moments and headline clippings.
The headbands not coming off yet for number 34. Lets hear it for him one more time. Paul Pierce isn’t quite done…and that’s the truth.
