Wednesday marked Paul Pierce’s second consecutive day on the Auerbach Middle, as he appeared 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, Nevertheless, in response to him, when you’re a Celtic, it lasts without end. 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 believe that’s what it must be all about,” Pierce mentioned. “You already know it’s all the time been that approach since I’ve been part of the group, and I really like that Joe [Mazzulla] has reached out to me and a few of the different guys to be round extra.”
Mazzulla’s thought 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 vital that we share on this expertise collectively,” Mazzulla mentioned 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 constantly talked about in Boston, however not one thing that’s been in follow as a lot as of late. Over the previous decade or so, there’s been a dip within the variety of legends which might be seen spending time across the group. It was partly because of the most up-to-date group taking part in out the tip of their careers within the late 2010s. Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo had been all energetic for a couple of 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 era of Celtics stars.
“Not solely simply coming to the video games, however to return to follow, even journey with the group, or be across the group somewhat bit extra,” Pierce continued. “That’s the way it was after I performed. Tommy Heinsohn was all the time there, then you definately’d lookup and see John Havlicek, Invoice Russell, [Bob] Cousy. It simply brings a sure power to the constructing at any time when I noticed them guys at a follow or at a recreation. So, I believe it’s as much as us to attempt to proceed the brotherhood. It’s all a part of our tradition and that is one thing that the Celtics have all the time been about.”
Earlier this 12 months, Pierce and KG paid a go to to the Auerbach Middle for ShowTime Basketball.
Whereas they had been spending time with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the remainder of the blokes, Pierce repeatedly inspired Garnett to maintain coming again and exhibiting his face across the group.
To this point this fall, he’s practiced what he’s preached and has been a outstanding 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 follow.
Pierce hopes that his presence — together with the others — can encourage Boston’s contending squad.
“It’s positively 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 have been there, that’s one thing that can proceed to be constructed.”
