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Paul Pierce is old school. It doesn't seem too long since the Boston Celtics great was drafted 10th overall in 1998, but his 18 years in the league have made him as rugged as some of the best veterans in the league's history.
In an interview with SiriusXM Radio, the L.A. Clippers forward was blunt about his thoughts on superstars joining other teams – in particular, Kevin Durant signing with the Golden State Warriors this offseason.
“I could have left Boston years ago but I stuck it out,” said Pierce. “I just feel like when you're that close as a competitor, you don't go join the team that just pushed you out. That's just me personally but we're living in a day and time where there's a new generation. Guys I don't think they are as hungry or competitive as my generation was, and that's why you'll probably see more of that.”
Those are bold statements coming from Pierce, but the salt seems to run deep inside the Clippers locker room nowadays and it's been pouring from the top, including coach Doc Rivers.
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones
It's hard to compare apples to apples here since every situation between a player and a team are unique on their own, but Pierce was not shaming Kevin Garnett‘s move from Minnesota or Ray Allen‘s move from Seattle back when they joined him in Summer 2007.
Garnett was still competitive in the Western Conference and Allen was coming off the best season of his career, averaging 26.4 points per game with the Sonics, before they joined Pierce and became The Big Three.
The Celtics would go on to win an NBA title during their first season together after general manager Danny Ainge traded nearly his entire roster in order to make those two major acquisitions, including three players to Seattle and five to Minnesota.
Prior to their championship season, Pierce had also voiced his displeasure and considered other destinations as he was putting up the numbers and the team failed to show results – a move that never materialized since Ainge was quick to bring in other pieces.
The statement seems highly hypocritical given how Pierce and Garnett publicly shunned Allen after leaving town to join then-championship contender Miami Heat, but Garnett and Pierce would jump ship a year later to the newly relocated Brooklyn Nets.
Paul Pierce has played for three teams during his last three seasons and averaged 6.1 points, 2.7 rebounds, and one assist with the Clippers last season.
