Paul Pierce addresses trade rumors, wants to retire with Boston Celtics
Like his team, Paul Pierce has yet to hit his stride this season. Pierce practiced just once prior to his first game and has been struggling to regain top form ever since returning to the lineup. He’s also begun smelling an unpleasant aroma that hadn’t invaded his nostrils in years — trade rumors.
Danny Ainge is reportedly thinking about blowing up Boston’s core, at least if he fields the right offer, and Pierce holds a considerable amount of trade value due to his standing as a professional scorer who still theoretically has a couple years left at the (very) tail end of his prime. (Don’t believe he’s still in his prime: check the efficiency numbers, at least prior to this season.)
But Pierce has only played for one NBA franchise and he wants to keep it that way. (transcript via ESPN Boston)
Q: There’s been talks about what might happen if team doesn’t turn things around. Does that affect you guys?
Pierce: “No, you can’t pay attention to that. It’s part of the business. You just have to continue to do your job, as a professional, each and every night. And that’s about it.”
Q: Does it make you want to turn it around to keep the core together?
Pierce: “What makes me want to play well is our record. That’s more than anything. I don’t really read the papers, I don’t really monitor everything that’s been said. I’m just more concerned about this group, what goes on in this locker room and with my teammates.”
Q: Is there a high level of concern at this point?
Pierce: “What did I say just now?” (laughs) “I didn’t say I was concerned. I said I’m just concerned with the boys in this room.”
Q: Any talks with coach Doc Rivers or Ainge about where you guys are at?
Pierce: “No, they understand. You know what the Celtics have done for me over my career, I’m more than happy. They kept me this long and I’ve been able to play in a lot of good situations. You gotta understand the business.”
Q: You’ve been down this road before.
Pierce: “It’s been a while since I’ve been down that road. But I don’t think about it actually.”
Q: You’ve said you want to retire as a Celtics, do you still feel that way?
Pierce: “Of course, I feel that way. Yeah.”
Related posts:
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- Answering questions about the Chris Paul trade rumors and Rajon Rondo’s involvement
- Ainge denies Bobcat rumors, hints at small trade
- Paul Pierce re-signs with the Boston Celtics
- Ray Allen trade rumors: Ainge again shoots them down
Celtics Blog | Tommy King | January 21, 2012
That this talk is even going around is sickening. The guy I want to see go is Danny. All this waving of the Trade Stick by Danny is just more blaming.
Get rid of Danny, then let’s see where we are at.
And for those who still want to hearken back to the heady days of 2008, just remember, Danny brought all this on himself. No one forced him to become a serial liar. No one forced him to make The Trade. No one has forced him to wreck whatever chances for chemistry and synergy might be left by vigorously waving the Trade Stick in everyone’s faces for the past two months, starting with Rondo. Danny is a big time Jerk. That’s pretty much all that can be said about him at this point.
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I’ll throw DOC RIVERS name in there as well, seeing as he’s the one who’s coaching the team. I still respect Danny and Doc, however, why should the players cop it all the time. Fair is fair. If you want to change the inner workings of an organisation then start at the top. However, I still believe this team can make the playoffs but ONE GAME AT A TIME. EXIT: UMBUTU ENTER: AGAINST ALL ODDS.
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I think they can too. They need to transition the offense to one more Rondo-oriented. This should be freaking obvious to supposed brilliant thinkers like Danny and Doc and the Rich Lads on Top.
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trust him…hes a doctor
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THE CELTICS NEEDS THREE CENTERS ON THEIR ROSTER WHILE GIVING UP ONLY CHRIS WILCOX,DRAFT PICKS AND CASH.
THEY ARE ENES KANTAR(JAZZ),ROBIN LOPEZ(PHOENIX SUNS) AND JAVALE McGEE(WASHINGTON WIZARDS).
KEEP THE BIG THREE AND MAKE THE PLAYOFFS;#18 IS IN YOUR GRASP PLAY SMART.
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I think we can make do with the centers we have, as awful as they are, especially if Stiemsma is a quick learner.
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paul…forget DA going anywhere. You should focus more on Doc and his mediocre coaching skills (we should have kept Thibodeau) and the fact that if PP actually believes what he is saying about…”You just have to continue to do your job, as a professional, each and every night. And that’s about it.”…then he is the problem and is not living up to his own words. He isn’t rebounding, he isn’t guarding his man, he is camping out at the 3-line, he is taking miserable shots and also stupid ones at the worst times, and is standing around watching instead of blocking his man out, following any jumper he EVER takes, and hustling like he used to. So unless PP starts showing me he can still play Celtics’ ball then the rumors and conversation about trading him are 100% LEGITIMATE. Go Cs…wake the f**k up PP and do your job…as in walk the walk and not just bs us or yourself with bs mantra talk.
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I agree with you about Doc. It’s becoming more and more obvious that he is in over his head, if you ask me. He’s great with the Xs and Os and great with grizzled vets, but that’s about it. And it wouldn’t even be a problem if he were willing to acknowledge this and bring in people who can fill in what he lacks.
As for the rest of what you say, you are, as always, a relentless Danny Defender. You are so right, James. NOTHING IS EVER DANNY’S FAULT.
Listen pal, Paul Pierce is a Celtics Legend. Danny is someone who has been lucky enough to be along for the ride twice. For him to threaten trading Paul Pierce isn’t just pathetic and mean. IT’S SOMETHING WE FANS SHOULD NOT STAND FOR.
I don’t like the selfish jerk that Pierce is being, refusing to give control of the team to Rondo, refusing to support Rondo, but you know what? The man is still one of the top five or six Celtics of all time. He’ll be remembered for 2008. Danny will be remembered for The Trade.
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You don’t mention how poorly PP is playing. And since when are legends never traded? This isn’t the 60′s and Havlicek with 8 rings, 80′s and Bird with his 3 rings it’s 2012 with PP and his one ring courtesy of KG, RA and Rondo. Come-on, he may be a great Celtic for longevity but a “legend”??? what is your definition of a legend??? Either he plays better or move his ass out. and DA got us a championship by bringing players in to help PP get his ring. Defend, defend, defend DA is my mantra!!! Go Cs…
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PP has no lift (right now?). Celts look like they are running drills on both ends of the court. I think they think they have a number they can loose while they get themselves together or we get played for fools or Danny goes off half-cocked.
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