Its July 17, 2017, Paul Pierce resigns with the Boston Celtics, to turn around and retire as a Celtic.This is the only team that Paul Pierce should retire from, he spent 15 of his 19 years of an amazing career as a Celtic. He was drafted by the Celtics as the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He played 15 seasons as a Celtic, 1998/99-2012/13, producing 21.8 pts, 6.0 rebounds, 1.44 steals and 36.6 mins in 1,102 career games, starting 1,099 of those games.He tops the franchise list in 3 point field goals (1823), free throws (6434), and steals (1583) and is in 2nd place as the Celtics all-time leading scorer with 24021 career points.
Paul Anthony Pierce was born October 13, 1977, he spent his childhood in Inglewood, California. His love of basketball grew from watching the epic battles of the Lakers and Celtics during the 1980s, he dreamed of becoming a Laker and playing in the Forum. He began his career playing in a youth basketball league, Police Activity League, a league available to low-income kids. There Paul was influenced by Scott Collins, an Inglewood Police detective that coached basketball, and at times would sneak kids into the Forum when he worked security.
Paul, entering into Inglewood High School, was your average player. He had the skills but lacked the size and the strength of a significant college prospect. He was cut from the varsity team as a freshman, but that only made him work harder. Paul and a couple of other friends would get up at 5 AM meet Scott Collins at the school and began what was labeled as "The Morning Sessions." These sessions consisted of a game of OUT, in which 2 players played 1 on 1, whoever gave up a basket was out and the next player went in, the boys pushed themselves for an hour. Collins' then would take them out fora "cop's breakfast" coffee and donuts.
Paul's sophomore year he does make the varsity team but does not see a lot of action, until the holiday tournament. Inglewood's head coach, Patrick Roy, gave him the opportunity to play with 5 guys missing, the team down by 19 points. So late in the 3rd quarter, Paul exploded, taking over the game scoring 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. Securing his spot, Paul worked harder, his body finally catching up to his ability. Paul, 6'6 in his junior year led the Sentinels to a 30 win season and a division title. His senior year he became the #1 prospect in the state of California, earning a spot alongside future stars like Kevin Garnett, Stephon Marbury, Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter in the McDonald's All American game.
Paul was recruited by legendary coach Roy Williams of the University of Kansas, he didn't promise Paul anything, "He said, 'You're going to go here, you're going to work just like everybody else, and I'm going to stay on you,' that was enough for him." Paul burst onto the scene. earning Big Eight Freshman of Year honors in 1996, followed with back to back Big 12 Conference Tournament MVP awards and voted an All American after his junior season. Over his career as a Jayhawk, Paul averaged 16.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per games. He was regarded as one of the premier college players in the country. He was also fast developing a reputation for being a player whose game rose with the importance of the situation.
Paul Pierce spent 15 years as a Celtic, the last four years of his career he sort of bounced around, not really finding his place. In 2013 everyone was shocked, when he was sent to the Brooklyn Nets then, in the summer of 2014 Paul was a free agent for the first time in years, he chose to join a young, talented Washington Wizards team. But after only one season in Washington, he chose to rejoin his former Boston coach, Doc Rivers, as a Los Angeles Clipper. The beginning of the 2016/17 season, Paul announced that it would be his final year as an NBA player.
Paul Pierce earned his nickname, "The Truth," from Shaq, "My name is Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce is the (expletive) truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."
The Truth, that is the way that Paul Pierce approached every day of his life as a ballplayer. The young Paul, who dreamed of becoming a Laker, the high schooler Paul who had to work extra hard, the college Paul that gained a reputation for putting up big numbers when needed, and the adult Paul. The adult Paul that was dedicated to a team for 15 years of his career, from the losing seasons all the way to the Championship season of 2008. Paul Pierce will always be a Celtic, so retiring as a Celtic, is the only well to say goodbye to a legend.
