Paul Pierce certainly made headlines when he declared he was not sharing his Feb. 11 jersey retirement ceremony with anybody. That was a shot of Isaiah Thomas, whom the Celtics planned to recognize with a tribute video on the same night. According to ESPN's Jackie MacMullan and Chris Forsberg, Pierce said:
“Danny tried to sell me on it, but I told him, ‘He had a shot, Danny, and he punked you on it. He pretty much dictated everything.' They let [Thomas' tribute video on Feb. 11] happen because they felt sorry how (the trade to Cleveland) went down. It's guilt. That's what it is.”
Jalen Rose did not agree with Pierce being selfish and telling the organization he did not want Thomas to be celebrated on his jersey retirement night. Rose told Pierce:
“The Boston Celtics did turn around their fortunes since you played there when Isaiah Thomas was leading them… I gotta say a word for you fam. I think it was petty. On Paul Pierce's part… Can I tell you something about your birthday? It ain't only your birthday. A lot of people's birthdays happen that time.”
Rose does have a point. Other people in the studio, including Tracy McGrady, discussed the situation with them. Pierce later said:
“I'm at a grill with Jalen on this one. And listen, you know what Jalen? You was right. I am petty. And you know what? I am going to be petty 81 more times too.”
Rose has heard a ton of “81” jokes ever since Kobe Bryant famously scored 81 points on his Toronto Raptors for the second highest scoring game in NBA history. The 81-point game was out of context in the conversation they had, but Pierce still wanted to troll Rose back after being called petty.
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