Paul Pierce

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Lore & Background

Pierce was a high school McDonald's All-American in 1998 and earned consensus first-team All-America honors as a junior at Kansas. He was drafted 10th overall by the Celtics in 1998. Nicknamed 'the Truth' by Shaquille O'Neal in 2001, he earned 10 All-Star selections and four All-NBA team honors. He formed a 'Big Three' with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in 2007, leading Boston to an NBA championship in 2008, where he was named Finals MVP. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in July 2013.

In Their Own Story

The move to Brooklyn began on July 2013 when the Celtics traded Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry to the Nets. This deal ended an era for Pierce, who had spent his entire career up to that point with Boston after being drafted in 1998. The trade was part of a larger restructuring for both franchises. For Pierce, it meant leaving the organization where he became a four-time All-NBA team member and won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award in 2008. In Brooklyn, he played alongside Garnett, reuniting with the core of the "Big Three" that had dominated Boston's success. Despite the high hopes, Pierce only remained for one season before moving on to the Washington Wizards as a free agent in 2014.

Reader's Guide

Pierce spent 15 seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in July 2013. He played one season with the Nets, then signed with the Washington Wizards in 2014. After one season with the Wizards, he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played two seasons before retiring in 2017. He signed a one-day contract with the Celtics on July 17, 2017, to retire as a Celtic.

Did You Know?

• Pierce was named NBA Finals MVP in 2008.
• He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
• Pierce was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.
• He was a McDonald's All-American in 1998.