As Paul Pierce’s NBA career comes to a close, players honor the forward known as “The Truth.”
Pierce spent 19 years in the league. He held spots on the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, and Washington Wizards before ending this season Sunday as a Los Angeles Clipper [April 17, 2017]. Last year, he contemplated retirement, after the Clippers were defeated in the first round of playoffs. A similar upset at the 2017 playoffs stopped Pierce from ending his career on a high note—at least, game-wise. Love from fans and NBA players flooded social media following the the Clippers’ loss to the Jazz [Sunday, April 30] plus a touching video presentation.
The Players’ Tribune teamed up with those who played with him and against him team, coached him and watched him to pay tribute to Pierce’s days on the court.
Clinched in between a montage of Pierce’s glory days, faces bear farewells, tears, and memories—from NBA ballers like Rajon Rondo, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, and Jamal Crawford to his college coach Roy Williams. And of course Shaquille O’Neal had to make an appearance. All accounts encompassed the final two words of the video, “Thanks, Paul.”
