Paul Pierce’s long and illustrious career will end where it began nearly 20 years ago. The veteran small-forward has signed a one-day contract with the Boston Celtics and will officially retire with the team that selected him in the tenth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. The Celtics twitter account posted a first-hand account of Pierce signing his contract in the legendary green.
Paul Pierce will retire in green ??
?: https://t.co/GS43Xh4e8E pic.twitter.com/Xbry4V612Y
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) July 17, 2017
Pierce’s best seasons came in Boston, where he averaged 21.8 points per game in 15 seasons. Despite the Celtics being relatively poor for most of his tenure, Pierce was a consistent producer. In 2008 he, along with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, delivered Boston a championship over the Los Angeles Lakers. The ten-time all-star was then traded to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a restart move for the Celtics and power play for the Nets. Pierce only spent one season there before leaving for the Washington Wizards, helping them get to the postseason. For the past two seasons “The Truth” spent time with the Clippers and former Boston coach Doc Rivers. Pierce did not play an integral part with Los Angeles other than the savvy veteran.
Pierce is a figure within Boston sports history and a clear fan-favorite. Players around the league sang praises for Pierce as his final season winded down too. Whether he gets to the Basketball Hall of Fame is yet to be seen, but there is little doubt he will have his number 34 hanging in the rafters of TD Garden some day.
