Paul Pierce announces he plans to retire after this season
Kobe Bryant retired from the NBA following an absurd 60-point performance in the final Lakers game of the season. Tim Duncan followed suit more quietly in the offseason, and Kevin Garnett did the same last week just before the start of training camp.
Paul Pierce will be one of the last remaining players from the early-2000s era of NBA stars to play this season, but he announced via the Players’ Tribune Monday that it will be his final year in an NBA uniform.
“This is it, my final season,” Pierce begins, adding, “It’s time to move on from the game of basketball.”
Pierce averaged 6.1 points per game in 18.1 minutes per game for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, after 15 seasons with the Celtics and averages of 21.8 points and 6 rebounds per game.
While Ray Allen hasn’t officially announced his retirement and has been rumored to be eyeing a possible return to the NBA, it looks like Pierce will the last man standing from a Celtics “Big Three” that won a championship in 2008 and made it to the Finals again in 2010.
“After 18 NBA years, it’s hard to believe I’ll be playing in each arena for the last time,” reflected Pierce. “I’m going to enjoy every practice, every bus ride, every team dinner, every time running out through the tunnel. I’m going to do my part to give us a shot at the ultimate goal.”
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