Paul Pierce to play in Europe after retiring

[Juggernaut]

Paul Pierce said recently that he'd like to spend a year or two playing overseas at the end of his career.
"As far as retiring from the NBA, I think I will be done after this contract because eventually I want to go overseas and play and live for a couple of years," he said. "That's why this is a big contract for me, knowing I'm going to retire a Boston Celtic. I want to go to either Italy or Greece for a year." Pierce should come as a mid-round value pick in most drafts this year.

I like the move. Hopefully some of the other old NBA stars will do the same and go to play for a European team after their time in the NBA is over.

[SuperKevin]

Yeah let the old guys ruin international basketball instead

[Miami Flash15]

Yeah let the old guys ruin international basketball instead

Ricky Rubio better watch out.

[Loco]

I think he signed a 4 year deal, so by the end he'll be 36 years old. Kinda sucks I want him to stay a Celtic into his 40's. John Havlicek holds the record for games (1270) and years (16) as a Celtic. I'm sure if Paul played with the C's for 20 years he would undoubtedly be known as Mr. Celtic.

Currently he's 8th on the C's all time games list, first in 3PT FG's, first in FT's, seventh in Assist, ninth in Rebounds, second in Steals, third in Points, second in PPG.


I mean if Shaq can play till hes 40 I see no reason why a guy like Pierce who can shoot the 3 and make FT's cant find a role on the team even at 40.

[ralaw]

I'm sure if Paul played with the C's for 20 years he would undoubtedly be known as Mr. Celtic.

No way, there's no way he'll ever be considered over guys like Russell, Cousy, Havlicek, Bird, McHale, etc. Pierce will undoubtedly go down as an all-time great in the organization, but I don't see him surpassing those guys to be known as "Mr. Celtic"

[G-men]

No way, there's no way he'll ever be considered over guys like Russell, Cousy, Havlicek, Bird, McHale, etc. Pierce will undoubtedly go down as an all-time great in the organization, but I don't see him surpassing those guys to be known as "Mr. Celtic"

basically this

playing for 15+ season on one team makes you that teams main figure forever on most teams. however, with a team that has as rich a history as the Celtics, he'll never be known as Mr. Celtic

[Loco]

Times change dude, people barely remember some of those guys as is. It's all about the now and Paul Pierce is the cloest thing to Celtics tradition currently. I mean sure KG and Ray Allen helped win a championship but they have been in green for only 3 years. Pierce has spent his entire career with us even back when the Celtics were horrible. They were in a horrible drought for a decade and Pierce made them relevant again. He got a lousy team full of mostly bums to the Eastern Conference Championship. There third best player was Eric Williams for christ sake.


And of course he had plenty of chances to leave in Free Agency or force a trade but he didnt he stuck with it through the bad times. Lets not forget Pierce was almost stabbed to death in Boston yet he stayed and didnt force his way out of town.

Kobe had Shaq, Jordan had Pippen, Pierce had Antoine Walker.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Times change dude, people barely remember some of those guys as is. It's all about the now and Paul Pierce is the cloest thing to Celtics tradition currently. I mean sure KG and Ray Allen helped win a championship but they have been in green for only 3 years. Pierce has spent his entire career with us even back when the Celtics were horrible. They were in a horrible drought for a decade and Pierce made them relevant again. He got a lousy team full of mostly bums to the Eastern Conference Championship. There third best player was Eric Williams for christ sake.


And of course he had plenty of chances to leave in Free Agency or force a trade but he didnt he stuck with it through the bad times. Lets not forget Pierce was almost stabbed to death in Boston yet he stayed and didnt force his way out of town.

Kobe had Shaq, Jordan had Pippen, Pierce had Antoine Walker.

What exactly was the point of this post? It changes nothing. Pierce will never go down as this so called "Mr. Celtic". Just never gonna happen, even if he played till he was 50.

[IamMedellin]

I mean if Shaq can play till hes 40 I see no reason why a guy like Pierce who can shoot the 3 and make FT's cant find a role on the team even at 40.

shaq can play till he's 40 b/c THERE ARE NO CENTERS IN THE NBA, I mean Fuck, Shawn Bradley got 12 seasons in the NBA and he led the league in being Posterized,...

at the end of his contract, at 36 years old, what kind of role would Pierce have on the Celtics?

If I'm the Celtics, I'd rather he leave with his last payday, as his minutes are spread out and given to young drafted players in hopes that you can find the Next Paul Pierce.

[Loco]

What exactly was the point of this post? It changes nothing. Pierce will never go down as this so called "Mr. Celtic". Just never gonna happen, even if he played till he was 50.

If anyone played for one organization for 30 years that would be amazing. It's also be a sure fire way to become the organizations best player of all time. So actually he would be Mr. Celtic if we used your example.

[Kuzzy Powers]

If anyone played for one organization for 30 years that would be amazing. It's also be a sure fire way to become the organizations best player of all time. So actually he would be Mr. Celtic if we used your example.

No.

[Lanteri]

Longevity =/= status.

See: Kevin Willis

[Yawkey Way]

lol @ people barely remember those guys. You must never leave your house if you live in Boston, because even the casual Celtics fan knows the importance of the rich history and aren't afraid to tell you. I find it a little frightening you make that statement actually.

[Warner2BruceTD]

I'm sure if Paul played with the C's for 20 years he would undoubtedly be known as Mr. Celtic.

What the hell is wrong with you?

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Yeah let the old guys ruin international basketball instead

You'd rather watch a never was Tyus Edney and a random O'Bannon play over an over-the-hill Paul Pierce?

Chile Plz.