Wednesday marked Paul Pierce’s second consecutive day on the Auerbach Heart, as he regarded in on Celtics coaching camp. Pierce’s time with the Cs got here to a detailed in 2013, when he, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry had been traded to the Brooklyn Nets, Nonetheless, in response to him, when you’re a Celtic, it lasts eternally. It’s a convention that he hopes to assist the present squad undertake and develop to like, very similar to different Celtic legends did for him.
“Yeah, I feel that’s what it ought to be all about,” Pierce stated. “ it’s at all times been that manner since I’ve been part of the group, and I really like that Joe [Mazzulla] has reached out to me and a number of the different guys to be round extra.”
Mazzulla’s idea to encourage former Celtics to be round as a lot as potential stems from his need to maintain Boston’s custom of brotherhood and greatness alive.
“I despatched an e-mail out to all of the Celtics former gamers as a result of I felt prefer it’s necessary that we share on this expertise collectively,” Mazzulla stated Tuesday. “They began the custom, they saved it going, and now it’s our duty as a corporation to maintain it alive.”
The custom is one thing that’s persistently talked about in Boston, however not one thing that’s been in observe as a lot as of late. Over the previous decade or so, there’s been a dip within the variety of legends which can be seen spending time across the workforce. It was partly as a result of most up-to-date group enjoying out the tip of their careers within the late 2010s. Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo had been all lively for just a few years after transferring on from the Cs. Now that they’re all retired (although Rondo hasn’t formally introduced that he’s hanging it up), there’s extra time for them to be across the present technology of Celtics stars.
“Not solely simply coming to the video games, however to return to observe, even journey with the workforce, or be across the workforce a bit bit extra,” Pierce continued. “That’s the way it was once I performed. Tommy Heinsohn was at all times there, then you definitely’d lookup and see John Havlicek, Invoice Russell, [Bob] Cousy. It simply brings a sure power to the constructing every time I noticed them guys at a observe or at a sport. So, I feel it’s as much as us to try to proceed the brotherhood. It’s all a part of our tradition and that is one thing that the Celtics have at all times been about.”
Earlier this yr, Pierce and KG paid a go to to the Auerbach Heart for ShowTime Basketball.
Whereas they had been spending time with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the remainder of the blokes, Pierce constantly inspired Garnett to maintain coming again and displaying his face across the workforce.
To this point this fall, he’s practiced what he’s preached and has been a distinguished determine at coaching camp. Pierce isn’t the one Celtics legend who’s taken Mazzulla up on his invitation; Satch Sanders, Eddie Home, and Leon Powe had been throughout for Tuesday’s observe.
Pierce hopes that his presence — together with the others — can encourage Boston’s contending squad.
“It’s undoubtedly inspirational as a result of we perceive that these guys coming again — that is one thing that they constructed. Me coming again, with the blokes which were there, that’s one thing that may proceed to be constructed.”
