Fresh off a 101 – 88 win against his former team the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce said the thing we here in Beantown all want to hear: That Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are both interested in coaching! I can already picture both of the greats: “Coach Garnett” and “Coach Pierce”…what’s better than that? Well, it sounds like Pierce wants to begin his coaching career in Boston!
Dec 27, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) dribbles as Boston Celtics guard Jameer Nelson (28) defends during the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 101 – 88. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Pierce is in his 17th season and is gracefully ending his career with playoff bound teams like his current one, the Washington Wizards. Paul is definitely in search of another championship, but, it looks like he’s already looking forward to his life after basketball. Pierce sat down with Steve Bulpett, of the Boston Herald, and said this,
“I’ll probably go up there this summer after the season and talk to Danny, talk to Wyc, you know, see what opportunities may open when I’m done. I haven’t had any talks with them about that. But, you know, I go up there every summer. I went up there last summer and went to the practice facility. Danny wasn’t there, but hopefully I’ll get to spend some time with him next summer. Who knows? I like to keep my relationships open, especially with the guys in Boston — Wyc, Danny. I may have some business opportunities up there this summer also.”
WOW! So it looks like The Truth is expecting this season to be his last! Good news for Danny Ainge, hiring Paul Pierce as a something coach will definitely bring his rep up a little bit in Boston.
Danny Ainge would be stupid not to consider him on a Celtics coaching roster next summer, but Pierce also wanted to let people know that he isn’t the only former Celtics champion interested in a career in coaching. KG, The Big Ticket, is interested in the coaching spotlight as well and they apparently talked about it when they spent some time together during Christmas Eve:
“Coaching could be in my future. I think I still have a lot left to give this game. I always find myself talking to the guys. When we’re going through scouting, I’m giving out pointers. A lot of the assistants say, ‘Man, you’ve got a lot to give this game after you’re done.’ So whether it’s coaching or being a general manager, it’s something I think about,” Pierce also added, “I think it’s something that Kevin (Garnett, his former C’s and Nets teammate) has even thought about. Me and him talked about it. I think he would enjoy coaching. You know, Kevin likes to teach. But, you know, you’re getting older,” Pierce said. “Me and him had a chance to spend some time together on Christmas Eve. We had a good talk about that and a lot of things.”
Dec 23, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Darius Morris (14), forward Kevin Garnett (2) and guard Deron Williams (8) cheer from the bench against the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter at the Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Nuggets 102-96. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
I mean who doesn’t want to see KG on the sidelines as a coach! His intensity, his will-to-win, and experience would all help him in a career in coaching. What a sight it would be if they both end up back in Boston too! The only question I see is if Danny Ainge is willing to do it? He isn’t exactly a loyal GM, getting rid of KG, Pierce, and Rondo all in the past few years; but at the same time, I don’t think he is so inept to realize what a great PR move that would be. What do you guys think? Can KG and Pierce coach after basketball? Should they both return to Beantown?