Paul Pierce Reflects on his time with Boston and talks future
Apr 26, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) walks off the court during the third quarter of game three 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
If it were a perfect world, Paul Pierce would’ve been a Boston Celtic for life. His jersey will still be retired in the rafters, but there will always be the memory of him being traded to Brooklyn. Of course, its something that had to happen. But still, we wish it didn’t–we want him here.
Well, Paul wants to be here too from what it sounds like. Pierce talked to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe about what he plans to do with his future when he finally does return to Boston.
"“Ultimately, what I would like to do is have a business in Boston,” he said. “Maybe like a sports bar. I would love to do something like that here. None of the former Celtic great players have come and done that. I thought about it, and why hasn’t anyone come and opened up a nice restaurant? You see the Don Shula restaurant, the Michael Jordanrestaurant, and Magic [Johnson] got the theaters in LA. Why nobody here? All this history, all these championships and love, why has nobody done that?“I am going to still have relationships here. I’m always going to come to this city. Every year, when I’m done, I’m going to have a reason to come here.”Pierce said he holds no grudges toward the Celtics, and again pointed to a future relationship with the organization.“Who knows? I may be working for Wyc Grousbeck or Danny Ainge,” he said. “A lot of players don’t understand it. I’ve always understood it. And [other players] let their pride and ego get in the way. I’ve made a lot of money here, I’ve built relationships, won a championship here, I thank y’all for everything y’all gave me. How can I be mad for everything they’ve given me. I’m thankful.”The prospect of reaching the championship pinnacle again with the Nets is intriguing.“Me and my best friend growing up were talking and he said, ‘Man, what if you win a championship in Brooklyn? Then what?’ ” Pierce said. “It’s another level then. There’s a chance I could move up in the [all-time] ranks if I get another championship. So I am still going. And they’ve given me more tools and I’ve got something to build.”Pierce said the Celtics should have no trouble attracting major free agents. “The city of Boston has changed so much since I’ve been here,” he said. “There are so many more things to do and the city has grown. I think it would be a great place to play.“I enjoyed it here. Hopefully, the fact that guys like me and Kevin liked it here is a sign to other players that it’s a good city to play in. I’m excited about playing in Brooklyn, though. There weren’t too many places I wanted to go if I had to leave Boston, but Brooklyn is one of them.”"
Pierce’s ambition doesn’t stop on the floor, obviously. Exploring various career paths after basketball is what all players should do. Pierce wants to come back to Boston and serve a front office role–maybe he’ll even get an opportunity as a coach at some point eventually.
He also wants to have the same impact that legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson have had in other business ventures. He wants to be the guy to come back to Boston and start a business there.
Pierce still clearly has his heart in Boston even though he is in Brooklyn. He’ll always be welcome back with all that he gave.