Paul Pierce boldly proclaimed after hitting a big shot in the first game of the Playoffs last year against the Raptors, “This is why they brought me here.” Pierce has never been afraid of the big moment and has always been unafraid to take the big shot. That has been the way he has operated and played throughout his 17 years in the NBA.
Pierce is not one to go quietly into that good night. He is not retiring in Washington so much as adding a necessary piece to a young team ready to burst forward and announce themselves on a national stage as Eastern Conference contenders.
And in the Wizards’ second game of the season, Pierce made it known that he is still a force late in games. His two baseline jumpers against the Magic halted their run and nearly iced away that game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erz58bSWcGo
“In the fourth quarter, Paul Pierce pulled a few legendary moves on them and that is why we got the win today,” Marcin Gortat said after Thursday’s win.
“I see a huge difference. It’s a different story when one of the guys yell at me, it’s a different story when Paul is going to look at me and say one word and curse me out. I automatically feel like coach is talking to me. I think Paul has a huge influence on me because I really respect him. For me, it’s an honor to play with this guy. Whatever he says, that’s the way it’s got to be. Having this guy on the team, give him the ball in the fourth quarter and do whatever you got to do to win the game.”
Pierce has that magnetism very clearly with this Wizards team. Those All-Star appearances and that championship ring carry with it some gravitas in a locker room with a bunch of young players on the cusp of something special.
Everyone figured the Wizards would get to this point eventually with John Wall and Bradley Beal in the backcourt together. It is one of the best backcourts in the league. They are very young and have only one playoff series win under their belts. To take that next step into contending for the East title, a little bit of an edge and some veteran calm would be necessary.
That is where Pierce comes in.
Already he has given something of that edge, getting ejected from Saturday’s game for arguing a clear path foul late in the first half.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgBsEd8elfc
That may not be the greatest example of what Pierce can bring. But that passion and commitment to excellence is an example for the Wizards to follow.
It is the exact reason the Wizards brought Pierce in to replace Trevor Ariza, who departed in free agency.
Washington is a different team from last year for sure. Pierce is a big part of it. And he might end up being the reason why the Wizards crash this supposed two-team party in the Eastern Conference.
