Time for Paul Pierce to Return to Boston

At 37 years of age, Paul Pierce had one of the most remarkable performances for the Washington Wizards this post season. Pierce was very uncertain about whether or not he would be playing basketball next season but either way he should be in a Boston Celtics uniform.

Apr 28, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett (5) and small forward Paul Pierce (34) celebrate against the New York Knicks during game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

First, it cannot be understated how truly remarkable of a post season Pierce had. Pierce was as deadly as he has ever been shooting the ball as he shot an unbelievable 52.4% from beyond the arc.

Pierce was arguably the third most important player on the Wizards (behind John Wall and Bradley Beal) and, at the same time, one of the top shooters of the post season.

52.4% is remarkable, but it does not even scratch the surface of the kind of impact Pierce had. During a run in the playoffs that saw a buzzer beater on three consecutive days, Pierce called game and banked in a game winner to hold off the Atlanta Hawks a little longer.

Pierce did not stop the late game heroics there as it was in game five where Pierce hit another go ahead three with under 10 seconds left. The unfortunate part is that after he called “series” The Hawks came down and won it on a put back.

A lot of players have to go through a lot of traumatic experiences in the playoffs and Pierce found one of the most excruciating ways ever. After being double covered Pierce found a little space and hit a game tying three pointer at the buzzer that would send game six into over time. The only problem was the buzzer sounded less than a fraction too early, and the three pointer was wiped off, sending the Wizards home.

Talk about two of the most devastating made three pointers in back to back games ever. If that is Pierce’s final playoff run he certainly went out with some style and with the entire league in awe of his play.

If Pierce does decide to hang it up and retire it should be a foregone conclusion that he returns to Boston. Pierce is one of the legends of the most storied franchises in the NBA and for him to retire as anything other than a Celtic would be absurd.

It is a little more interesting if Pierce decides to play for another season as he seems to have found a decent home in Washington. A young core built around Beal and Wall should stay relevant for years in the eastern conference and that deadly, clutch shooting edge that Pierce brings is something any contending team will want.

Even if Pierce could contend with the Wizards, the reality is that the Celtics may wind up with a stronger roster than the Wizards by the time next season starts. Ainge has made it absolutely clear that he intends to go after top targets in free agency and with the foundation established by Brad Stevens there will be no talk of the Celtics fighting for a lottery pick next season.

As great as going on a run with anyone would be, having another playoff experience with the Celtics would be the best way to cap off his hall of fame career. Pierce knows his true home is in Boston and after all the promise shown last season, Pierce could bring a special kind of leadership to the Celtics.

It is not just that Pierce is one of the all time best and most clutch shooters in the league as he also understands what it is to be a Celtic more than anyone else currently in the league. He went through hard times early on and he reached the pinnacle in 2008. Every single player on the Celtics will learn tremendously from having Pierce in the locker room and if this post season was any indication Pierce would do just fine hitting open shots in Brad Stevens’ offense. It would be a thing of beauty to see Stevens drawing up last second plays for Pierce.

May 3, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) during the second quarter in game six of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

It really is only a matter of time before Pierce is back with the Celtics but there is no doubting that anyone that has ever supported the Boston Celtics would cherish seeing him play at home in TD Garden at least one more time.

More from Hardwood Houdini

Home/Celtics News