In 1998, the Boston Celtics took Paul Pierce with the 10th pick in the NBA Draft. Nineteen years and more than 26,000 points later, and Pierce’s career came to an end on Sunday as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.
It was the end of a career that will almost certainly lead to a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame. But that’s not going to happen for a few years. In the meantime, the basketball world decided to come together and look back on the career of one of the best scorers of his generation. First and foremost, there was this video from The Players’ Tribune, which featured a number of people paying tribute to Pierce.
Farewell to The Truth. pic.twitter.com/vskkO1qZJL
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 30, 2017
The two best quotes from this video come by way of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. Pierce’s former Celtics teammate lovingly said “Sometimes I would think that I was over the top until I saw him. And I thought, ‘Ok, so this is what a beast is.’”
As for Kobe, he recalled playing hoops with Pierce when the two were younger.
“It was just a pick-up game in the summer at UCLA,” Bryant said. “But honestly, I don’t remember. I really don’t remember who won that pick-up game. But I do remember competing against him and saying, ‘Man, this guy is … this guy is gonna be a problem.’”
Some other basketball players took to Twitter to praise The Truth.
Congrats to The Truth @paulpierce34 on ONE hell of a career! #FutureHOF
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 30, 2017
Congrats on a hall of fame career @paulpierce34 #truth #HOF
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 30, 2017
Congrats on a GREAT CAREER big bro!!! It was an honor to play with and against you. #TheTRUTH https://t.co/3cRhlEE46b
— Garrett Temple (@GTemp17) May 1, 2017
OG @paulpierce34 💯 #RealOne #TheTruth
— All Eyes On Me (@Diamond_Stone33) April 30, 2017
Congrats @paulpierce34 .. helluva career! You def inspired me as a boy! Enjoy retirement! https://t.co/p2apC7xe9U
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) April 30, 2017
Sad end for The Truth.
— Evan Fournier (@EvanFourmizz) April 30, 2017
As for Pierce, he took to Twitter to pour his heart out.
THANKU TO ALL MY NBA BROTHERS AND SISTERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAME A GAME IVE LOVED MY WHOLE LIFE BUT NOW TEADY FOR A NEW CHAPTER STAY TUNED
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I'd like to thank the fans media members who followed me u made he who I am as a player the Poeple who loved and the people who hated me TY
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I gave this game all a had my whole life I'm thankful for that also to my family who seen it all from the beginning thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
To my my brothers Steve and Jamal Hosey u guys where my inspiration my Mom I looked at all ur hard work for us to keep food on the table
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
And ur hard work and determination my heart my work ethic I got that from u Thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
To all the coaches who helped me along this journey coach Jose smith coach Stevenson Pat Roy Roy Williams Mike Lewis Thad Mcgrew Heroldjones
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I kno there's so many other people I'm missing when u go on a journey this long sometimes u forget some people who helped but thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Doc coach Obrian Rick Patino
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Whether it is on the basketball court or on Twitter, Paul Pierce is a legend.
