Paul Pierce: I Don’t Want An Isaiah Thomas Tribute On My Night
Paul Pierce shared his feelings on the Celtics giving Isaiah Thomas a tribute video on his big night. Safe to say he’d rather not see that on the JumboTron on the same night the C’s retire his number.
Speaking on ESPN’s “The Jump” on Thursday, Pierce addressed the recent news that Isaiah would get his tribute. Celtics president of basketball ops. Danny Ainge confirmed on Toucher & Rich that the video will play on Feb. 11 when the Celtics play the Cavs.
But now, Pierce might be throwing a wrench into those plans.
Paul Pierce: Actual Celtics Great
Pierce, who played 15 seasons with the Celtics and won NBA Finals MVP in 2008, sounds unhappy that the Celtics plan to play an Isaiah tribute on what’s supposed to be his big celebration.
“I’m not saying Isaiah shouldn’t get a tribute video … but on Feb. 11, the night I get my jersey retired, I’m not sure I want to look up at the JumboTron and see Isaiah highlights,” said Pierce, via ESPN’s
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 4, 2018" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Chris Forsberg.Pierce likened his jersey retirement to that of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who received video tributes throughout the game. Pierce
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 4, 2018" rel="noopener" target="_blank">added: “I enjoyed watching that throughout the game. Hopefully the Boston Celtics will do that for me. I’m not sure I want to see an Isaiah video that night.”
The Boston Celtics raise 2008 World Championship banner before a game at TD Garden on Oct. 28, 2008. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
Does Paul Pierce Have A Point?
At the end of the day, this is all just silly drama that I have a hard time caring about. But if I had to take a side, I’d 100 percent side with Pierce here. It’s his night. No. 34 is going to the TD Garden rafters and Pierce should be the only player getting video packages that night. Isaiah should have gotten his video tribute on Thursday. And as great as Isaiah was in his two-plus seasons in Boston, he doesn’t hold a candle to The Truth.
At the same time, a quick Isaiah tribute ultimately wouldn’t take much away from a night-long Pierce tribute. It doesn’t sound like a compromise is going to happen at this point, so Pierce may just have to look away when the Isaiah tribute happens. But this is a situation that was easily avoidable, if Isaiah simply let the video happen on Thursday night. Now, we have to hear about this insufferable soap opera for the next month.
Isaiah better go off that night, by the way. Or he will only look worse.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff.
