Thank You Paul Pierce

by Jeff Clark on Jun 23, 2008 11:00 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

Jackie MacMullen has a very nice article on Paul Pierce's long road to greatness.

He is not a tidy superstar. You cannot neatly wrap the career of Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce, the newly minted NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and first-time champion, in a perfectly symmetrical box with a corresponding matching ribbon.
His path to greatness has been far too gnarly for that.
"You're right," he said, still gleefully gripping his championship hat in the wee hours Wednesday morning. "Life has so many hurdles. Some of them I've hopped over, and some of them I've tripped over. The key is to get back up and finish the race."

Paul said it perfectly here. This is, in a nutshell, who he is. He's been knocked down so many times. He's tripped and fell so many times. He's been bruised, battered, and (literally) stabbed many times. Every time he pushed himself back up. He stood up, stared back at the world, and spat back, "Is that the best you've got? Bring it!"

Team USA turned their back on Paul Pierce and picked Joe Johnson to fill his role. No matter, Pierce beat JJ in the first round. LeBron is everyone's Next Great Thing. Pierce went toe to toe with him, matched him point for point, and sent him home in the 2nd round. Kobe Bryant entered the Finals as the MVP. Paul Pierce left the Finals as the MVP. Any questions?

Paul has been here from day one of his NBA career and there's little doubt that he'll leave with a number retirement ceremony. His 34 will take its rightful place among the greats that he drew inspiration and encouragement from. Pierce ached to be a true Celtic, a Championship Celtic. Now he is, and I couldn't be happier for anyone on the team.

Thank you Paul Pierce. Thank you for getting back up every single time. Thank you for facing every challenge head on. Thank you for being a true Celtic in every sense of the word. Thank you.

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thank you Paul Pierce, all Celtic fans love you even more for all you have
done for this team and what it has culmintaed into with a championship.

With that said , we want a repeat while the getting is good :D

by perk on Jun 23, 2008 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

[quote=Jeff]
Team USA turned their back on Paul Pierce and picked Joe Johnson to fill his role. No matter, Pierce beat JJ in the first round. LeBron is everyone’s Next Great Thing. Pierce went toe to toe with him, matched him point for point, and sent him home in the 2nd round. Kobe Bryant entered the Finals as the MVP. Paul Pierce left the Finals as the MVP. Any questions?
[/quote]

Well put, Jeff.

Is there a “Thank you, Ray Allen” yet? If so, can you link it? If not, will there be? I’d like to comment on that one.

by BrickJames on Jun 23, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks, Captain!

by Bankshot on Jun 23, 2008 5:26 PM EDT reply actions

Great article Jeff, well said.

Paul you deserve this moment and you deserve to have #34 hanging in the rafters.

To all the doubters and critics, “how do you like them apples”?

The 2008 play off run will be a life time memory to treasure and savour. And thanks to modern technology, I will be able to watch the games over and over again, whenever I feel like it. Wow !!!

Captain …………. my Captain !!!!

Cheers

Aussie

by Aussie Celtic on Jun 23, 2008 6:59 PM EDT reply actions

Its been such a tough journey for Paul, but the destination and difficulty in getting there has made it so worth it!

We are so happy for him, imagine how Paul must feel :)

by 00dc2 on Jun 23, 2008 8:31 PM EDT reply actions

Thank you #34. For a decade now you’ve been just about the only reason to even watch this team. You told DA that if he gave you help you would reward him, and you did. You were true to your word and because of that there is a whole new generation of fans that can say…I’m a fan of the NBA Champion Boston Celtics.

by Jaycelt on Jun 23, 2008 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

I would NEVER… and I mean NEVER, have guessed after certain distinguishable events during Paul Pierce’s tenure with Boston, to win finals MVP with the team he was drafted by and played for his entire career. Who knew (like WB Mason)? Haha. I really love Paul Pierce, to me he’s been the most underrated star since he entered the league 10 years ago. Hopefully now he is rewarded with TRUE public exposure he was robbed of from the national media for the longest time. I wonder if people still put the likes of Vince Carter above him? Anyone who still would, has the basketball IQ of a turnip.

by TradeProposalDude on Jun 23, 2008 11:31 PM EDT reply actions

Paul, there is no doubt now. You have earned your place at the Table of Greatness. That your journey to this hallowed place has been so long and so many times nearly untracked—only sweetens the achievement and adds to the inspiration of your story. And as for me, someone who has watched you since the day you came into the league, I could not be happier for you. Your greatness is indeed an inspiration. Thank you, my man.

by mobanners on Jul 30, 2008 12:55 AM EDT reply actions