At age 37, Paul Pierce is no youngster. However, he proved last season that age is just a number. With the Wizards, Pierce showed that he can still play a huge role on a team. Pierce, a future Hall of Famer, was one of the best scorers in the league in his prime, and in the playoffs this year we all saw that he’s still capable of knocking down the big shots.
Doc Rivers, who coached Pierce for 9 years of his career, knows exactly what Pierce is capable of, and did what he could to get him on the Clippers. Rivers got his man, signing Pierce to a 3-year deal worth around $10.5 million.
Rivers spoke today on the Dan Patrick Show about what Pierce’s role will be in Los Angeles.
From Rowan Kaver of Clippers.com:
“As a player, you know he’s going to take big shots and make a lot of them,” Rivers said. “The thing I love about him is he’s never been scared to take them. It’s great to have another guy on your team willing to do that.”
He also said Pierce understands team-building. Rivers would know, considering he coached Pierce for nine seasons in Boston. Pierce made his team-building talents known to Clippers fans immediately, as he played a role in the final meeting in Houston with DeAndre Jordan, helping the Clippers keep the star center.
A player like Pierce, who never shies away from the big moments, is an incredibly valuable asset to any team. Pierce was the go-to guy during crunch time last season for the Wizards, and he will be that guy again this year for the Clips.
It’s no surprise to hear Rivers speak highly of Pierce. Rivers knows exactly what contributions Pierce brings — veteran leadership and ice-in-his-veins clutch shooting.
The Clippers are gearing up to make a run at the championship. Re-signing DeAndre Jordan was key, but they have also quietly put together one of the best benches in the NBA this offseason. They acquired Josh Smith and Lance Stephenson, who both bring a blend of athleticism, passing, and defense to the table.
They also signed solid contributors in Wesley Johnson and Cole Aldrich, as well as re-signed Austin Rivers. Furthermore, the Clippers signed promising Michigan State combo forward Branden Dawson.
The Clippers may not be the favorites to win it all next year(that title belongs to the Spurs or the Warriors), but they shouldn’t be underestimated. They’ll definitely be a threat to take the championship, as long as all of their new players can cooperate(they’re looking for Lance Stephenson the Pacer, not Lance Stephenson the Hornet).
