Long-time Celtics star Paul Pierce expects an emotional scene Sunday when he plays his final regular season game in Boston, writes Broderick Turner of The Los Angeles Times. Pierce is finishing his 19-year NBA career as a little-used reserve with the Clippers. He has appeared in just 12 games this season, averaging about 12 minutes per night. But L.A. coach Doc Rivers plans to play him tomorrow to give Boston fans one last chance to salute one of their favorites. “I played under the lights of retired numbers, a lot of legends, man,” Pierce said. “So that right there is pressure in itself when you’re out there trying to hold the franchise down and you see the numbers and then you look up and Bill Russell, [Bob] Cousy, [John] Havlicek and all them are in the stands and you’re trying to live up to the expectations that they put [for] the franchise.”
There’s more tonight from the Atlantic Division:
- Pierce would consider working for the Celtics after his playing career ends, relays Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe. “That’s a possibility,” Pierce said. “Me and [general manager and president of basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] stay in contact, so that’s a possibility.”
- Toronto should consider giving a larger role to shooting guard Norman Powell, argues Doug Smith of The Toronto Star. The slumping Raptors have lost eight of their last 10 games and are dealing with injuries to DeMar DeRozan and Patrick Patterson. Smith contends that giving Powell some time at small forward would improve the team’s defense and maximize his ability to drive to the basket.
- A long season of losing is starting to break the Nets‘ spirits, according to Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Brooklyn sank to an NBA worst 9-41 with Friday’s home loss to the Pacers. “I think it’s just human nature,” said coach Kenny Atkinson. “I think we’re searching, and when you’re searching and it’s not flowing, I think that’s where the hesitation is right now. And I’ve definitely seen that seeped in. So what we’re trying to do is show them our corrections and stuff we can get better at.”
The nets aren’t as bad as their record. They’ve been in a lot of games, and they’ve lost a lot of close ones. They can shoot the 3, and score, but they just can’t play defense. I do like the culture they’re trying to build there with the new front office, and head coach. The injury to Lin has hurt them a lot. Has to be tough to not see results. As a Heat fan, we were literally going through the same thing like 3 weeks ago. Can’t get discouraged. Have to keep working, and playing hard the way they have all year. Maybe some of those close losses start turning into a few more Ws. The process can really get to you some times, but the satisfaction of figuring it out is worth the work.
As for Paul Pierce, it just feels weird for me to see all the guys I grew up watching at the end of their careers. Would have liked to see him get more minutes this year, as I still think he has more than what we’ve seen left in the tank, but his fit on that roster was never there in my opiniin. Should be a cool experience to see tomorrow in Boston. I assume he’ll get a very loud and we’ll deserved response from the crowd
You sound like a coach trying to keep his job
Lol after i typed it, I literally said those exact words to myself. That being said, it’s true. Nobody is really that terrible this season. I said that before the season. Even the bad record teams aren’t that garbage. I said it would likely come down to injuries, close games, and bad coaching decisions, and thats generally been what we’ve seen this year. There have been a lot of close games every night, and a lot of teams are bunched up in the standings
If the nets feel bad now wait until lottery night when Boston gets there number 1 pick.
Nets could use one of those young playmakers in college bad
Boston has some serious bad luck involving the lottery. I wouldn’t be so sure the %1 is sewn up.