It’s been a tough season for Paul Pierce. Despite the Boston Celtics’ second half resurgence, recovering from an early season injury and a grueling schedule has taken its toll on the Celtics’ captain. But how much of a toll has it taken on him? According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, it’s been enough of a grind that Pierce has started to think about walking away from the game of basketball.
“Well, I figure this might be my last time anyway going to Jersey,” Pierce said before last night’s 84-79 loss to the Raptors. “This could be my last year playing.”
He then laughed, making it seem he was perhaps kidding. But he didn’t step back when asked about it further.
“You never know, man,” Pierce said. “I don’t know. I’ve got to preserve my body for the rest of my life.”
Pierce went on to say he honestly has no idea what he’s going to do this summer. He likes spending time with his family and while he likes the more than $30 million he’s owed over the next two seasons, he did say he doesn’t play for money. I’m not entirely sure how true that is, but Pierce has already made quite a bit of dough since he entered the league. Power play is probably a strong choice of words, but certainly Pierce is going to take in to account what happens with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen this summer. Certainly having Rajon Rondo makes it easy to turn a rebuilding team in to a reloading team, but Paul Pierce probably doesn’t want to play for a team that’s ceiling is the second round of the playoffs. He also wants to be a Celtic for life so maybe willfully stepping away from the game a year or two before you originally thought is better than the two alternatives presented.
If we’re placing bets, I’d put money on Pierce playing for the Boston Celtics for at least one more season. Still, this is just another reminder that age catches up with everyone and it’s gonna be weird watching the Celtics without Pierce, whether it’s next season or three years from now.
