Paul Pierce still contemplating retirement after this season
The thought of Paul Pierce leaving basketball after this season — a productive one by any measure — provides yours truly with a headache that feels like Jonathan Papelbon riverdanced on my temples, and eyes that resemble Niagara Falls.
But Pierce recently, for the second time this season, called retirement an option when this season concludes. (ESPN Boston)
“It’s crossed my mind,” Pierce told MacMullan. “I’ve played a lot of years, ran a lot of miles. You just gotta wait and see what’s going to happen this year. You never know what direction this team is going to head in. You don’t know what Kevin is going to do, don’t know what Ray is going to do. This team could be in a rebuilding situation starting this summer. Like I said I always wanted to retire a Celtic, so who knows.”
This is a ridiculously long shot (think Jason McElwain overcoming autism to hit for 20 points in four minutes of a high school game despite functioning primarily as a team manager), but it’s the only way to swallow retirement thoughts: If the Celtics win a title and the Big Three walk off into the sunset together as champions, that would be the coolest thing to happen since I left my window open last night and my room nearly gave me frostbite this morning.
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Celtics Blog | Tommy King | April 28, 2012
I hate to be “that guy,” but what would it mean for our cap space if Paul were to retire?
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His $16 or $17 million per season would come off the books.
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I doubt that will happen because Paul still has another couple of years and 32$ million. I doubt that he will walk away from them. secondly I think that the Celts will have a magical run like they had two years ago. Watch them–they will be headed to the Finals this season.
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This is b.s. Even if they win, they’ll all likely comeback to try again as the team will be even better and deeper next season. And please, why would anyone walk away from $17MM guaranteed just by making the team, which I think h can do, and then get at least $10MM a year for several more years? Can’t wait for the games to start so dumb speculations like these can go away. Go Cs…
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How obvious does it have to be that Pierce is sending a message to Danny?
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That’s exactly what I personally think.
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It seems like hes considering retiring 1-to avoid being traded for and retire a celtic. 2- to avoid playing with a team that has no chance to win it all without KG or allen..
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I don’t think Paul is considering retiring at all. In fact, what he seems to be more mindful of in the very interview cited here is the possibility of being traded. And if you go watch the Csnne Core Four interview, count the number of times Paul and the others mention ‘trade rumors’ as a major adversity they had to fight through this season.
Paul is sending a message to Mad Danny, and good on him for doing it. I think Larry Bird has also sent a message to Ainge, and I think Doc has been doing it lately too. Ainge needs to respect veterans who have sacrificed for this team. THAT IS THE CELTICS WAY. Period. Be a true Celtics, Danny, or LEAVE and take your magic act with you.
Danny has many virtues. I love about two thirds of what he does. If he would just cool down the Ainge Express, he could be a worthy successor to Red.
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Nobody is going anywhere, especially with the team turnaround and players getting a chance to shine (GS/AB/EM//) etc. PP and the core will all be back next year with even more depth as I said earlier. and if PP is ever traded, which I seriously doubt will ever happen, he can refuse to show up and retire as a Celtic. Can we move on to the playoffs, please? Go Cs…
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I don’t think any of the Big 3 will retire next season. They are still playing great ball. Still on top of the Atlantic. Why become a grandfather before it’s time. Plenty of time to be a granddad, until then play ball. The idea of walking off into the sunset is good but i’d like to see the Big 3′s exit as like a handover period where they pass the torch to the young talent at the C’s. To see RA, KG and PP in future coaching roles with Boston would be awesome.
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Great content! I marked your site as one of my favorites!
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