When the Clippers fell to the Jazz in Game 7 of their first-round series the legendary, 19-year career of former Celtics forward Paul Pierce officially came to an end. The man had made no secret of the fact that the 2016/17 campaign would be his final campaign in the NBA.
For nearly two decades Pierce routinely established himself as one of the game’s deadliest offensive weapons in the clutch, decorating his resume with a laundry list of accomplishments along the way.
Although he was the 2008 Finals MVP when the C’s knocked off the Lakers in an instant classic battle, it’s the endurance and longevity that he showed throughout his time in the league that stands out the most.
A Top 20 all-time scorer with 26,397 total points, Pierce showed up year in and year out to lead Boston’s offense. From 1998-2013, Pierce averaged 21.8 points per game all while wearing Celtics green.
Though not quite as memorable as his legacy with the C’s franchise, Pierce also reaffirmed his spot in NBA history by emerging as a critical factor in postseason appearances with the Nets and Wizards.
Simply put, there’s no denying that Pierce was an icon of his generation and an exemplary pro. Where there may be some debate, however, is what Pierce story or chapter stands out as the most memorable.
Was it the late-nineties dynamic duo he formed along with Antoine Walker? His incredible return to the court at age 22 after being stabbed in a nightclub? His brief tenure as a Raptor killer in the twilight of his career? The back-to-back Finals battle with the Lakers? The Infamous Wheelchair Incident of 2008?
Sure, there are too many to choose from, but we’re going to ask you to do it anyway.
We’ll miss you Truth.
I loved his streak of game winners when he was with the wizards where it seemed he was hitting buzzer beaters almost every game. The most memorable was probably the wheelchair incident or the Big 3 era
back to back finals with lakers was some of the most entertaining basketball i’ve ever watched
Great player. One of the top 7 Celtics of all time.
Forget the wheel chair game….the series against Indiana where he showed up at the press conference wrapped up like he was in a street fight was hilarious!
His celtics moments were by far better but one that will stick with me forever is “I called game” when he beat the hawks on a buzzer beater
Some great moments in this thread so far. This guy will be missed.
My favorite ever. I’m going to miss Paul so much in this game.
He left so many memories. If I absolutely HAD to choose a favorite. Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals… hitting that dagger over LBJ to give the Celtics the lead… I was in awe.
The man was never afraid of the big moment. He craved the big moment. He was one of the most clutch players in the 2000s and 2010s.
Thank you Paul. #TheTruth
One of my favorite players ever. As a Celtics fan I’m just sad he’s not wearing green for his final game.
2008 is my moment of course.
They weren’t back to back. It was 2008 and 2010. 2010 was the better series, even though I enjoyed 2008’s outcome way more.
To me, PP isn’t an all time great. Once his team traded for Ray Allen and Garnett, he finally played for a winner. When he was the focus of the team, the franchise guy, he did nothing. No success. When he became a supporting player, he found success. I’d put Ray Allen and Garnett above PP any day. He was good though back in his prime.
You clearly have some sort of unhealthy disdain for Pierce. Never did anything prior to KG and Allen joining the Celtics? Do some research dude!
I see what you’re saying, but for the most part the rest of those teams were garbage. Not even Jordan did it by himself. I think Garnet > Pierce, but that doesn’t mean Pierce isn’t an all-time great.