Paul Pierce



Paul Anthony Pierce (born October 13, 1977), nicknamed The Truth,[1] is an American professional basketball forward with the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Pierce was a high school McDonald's All-American and earned First Team All-America honors in his junior year at Kansas. Pierce has been a starter every season since being selected by the Celtics with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft. He is a ten-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA team selection, and also led Boston to the NBA Finals in 2008 and 2010, winning the 2008 NBA Finals. He was named the 2008 NBA Finals MVP in his first trip to the NBA Finals. Pierce also is one of only three Celtics, alongside Larry Bird and John Havlicek, who have scored over 20,000 points in their career with the Celtics alone. He holds the Celtics' record for most three-point field goals made. He also ranks third in team history in games played, second in points scored, seventh in total rebounds, fifth in total assists, and second in total steals. {| class="toc" id="toc"

Contents
[hide] *1 High school
 * 2 College career
 * 3 NBA career
 * 3.1 Early career
 * 3.2 2005–06 season
 * 3.3 2006–07 season
 * 3.4 2007–08 season: His first ring
 * 3.5 2008–09 season
 * 3.6 2009–10 season
 * 3.7 2010–11 season
 * 3.8 2011-12 season
 * 4 Stabbing incident
 * 5 International
 * 6 Nickname
 * 7 NBA career statistics
 * 7.1 Regular season
 * 7.2 Playoffs
 * 8 Career highlights
 * 8.1 NBA
 * 8.2 College
 * 8.3 Other
 * 8.4 Boston Celtics franchise records
 * 8.5 Triple-doubles
 * 9 See also
 * 10 Notes
 * 11 External links
 * }

[edit]High school
Pierce was raised in Inglewood, California where he was the star of Inglewood High School's basketball team during his junior and senior years. He also participated in the 1995 McDonald's All-American Game alongside future NBA stars Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Stephon Marbury, and Antawn Jamison, and was a contestant in the game's Slam Dunk Contest, which was won by Carter. He grew up a Los Angeles Lakers fan and dreamed of playing with the Lakers.[2]

On January 31, 2012, Pierce was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans.[3]

[edit]College career
Pierce averaged 16.4 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in his three seasons at the University of Kansas, where he majored in Crime and Delinquency Studies, and earned MVP honors in the Big 12 Conference Tournament in both 1997 and 1998. Pierce played for Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams at Kansas. He entered the NBA Draft after his junior year and was selected with the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.

[edit]Early career
After his NBA debut, Pierce's ability to score, rebound and play defense, and a healthy dose of late-game heroics led to his emergence as a top player in the Eastern Conference. Along with forward Antoine Walker, Pierce led the Celtics to the playoffs in 2002 for the first time in seven years and on to the Eastern Conference Finals. In the historic Game 3 of that series, he led the Celtics to the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in NBA playoff history. Pierce scored 19 of his 28 point total during the fourth quarter, and the Celtics recovered from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New Jersey Nets.[4] Paul Pierce during his 1999–2000 NBA seasonPierce has averaged 22.2 points per game over his 13-year NBA career and is a 10-time NBA All-Star. Trade rumors involving Pierce swirled when Danny Ainge returned as the Executive Director of Basketball Operations in May 2003. Ainge laid most of these rumors to rest in the 2006 off-season by signing Pierce to a 3-year, $59 million contract extension.[5] Ironically, Pierce is the only player left from the moment Ainge took over.

Pierce has often played his best games against the best individual competition, such as LeBron James, Tracy McGrady, and Kobe Bryant. For instance, Pierce scored a career high 50 points in a loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 15, 2006. After the game, James stated that he feels that Pierce is the top at the position in theEastern Conference.[6]

[edit]2005–06 season
In the 2005-06 NBA season, Pierce had the highest points-per-shot average among the top 30 scorers in the league, indicating that he is an efficient and consistent player. On March 8, 2006, Pierce extended his franchise-record streak of 30-point games at 8. On March 7, he scored seven points in overtime to beat the Washington Wizards on a "buzzer beater",[7] and the next night the Celtics eked out a victory against Philadelphia on the strength of two late-game improbable shots by Pierce, one a three-pointer, the other an off-balance "buzzer beater" for the win. He scored at least 30 points for the 13th time in 14 games (between February 4 and March 12), the best such stretch in Celtics history.

[edit]2006–07 season
He followed up this stellar season with an injury-riddled 2006–07 campaign that saw him miss the first significant stretch of games in his career, due to a stress reaction in his foot. In spite of this injury, he still managed to put up his usual stellar numbers in the 47 games in which he saw action. But the Celtics, during that season, would have an 18-game losing streak and one of the worst seasons in franchise history, going 24–58.[8] [9]

[edit]2007–08 season: His first ring
Pierce shoots a free throw in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Playoffs against theAtlanta Hawks.Prior to the 2007–08 season, he expressed great excitement at the Celtics' acquisitions of fellow All-Stars Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and at the chance to contend for a championship. He slimmed down to his college weight of 235 lb (107 kg; 16.8 st) and vowed to pay more attention to defense, as he would not have to carry the offense anymore.[10]

On April 28, 2008, Pierce was fined $25,000 by the NBA for an alleged menacing gesture after falling to the ground and being taunted by Al Horford in Game 3 of the first round in the 2008 Playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks on April 26, 2008.[11] [12] Sources claimed this gesture was a gang-related hand sign, but Danny Ainge, general manager of the Celtics, stated that Pierce has been repeatedly doing it before and that it was not gang-related, but rather a symbol used within the team.[11] Pierce himself denied it, adding that his foundation was committed to helping urban youth keep away from gangs.[13] [14] Pierce at the championship parade of the 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics.On May 18, 2008, Pierce recorded the second-highest point total in franchise history in a Game 7 with 41 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers,[15] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-15">[16] as the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16">[17] On June 5, 2008, in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finalsagainst the Los Angeles Lakers, Pierce was injured in the third quarter and was carried off the court in serious pain.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-17">[18] However, he came back to the court only a few minutes later to spark the Celtics with 15 points in the third quarter en route to a 98–88 victory.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18">[19] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19">[20] He went on to lead the Celtics to their 17th championship after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers four games to two. Pierce was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player after the Celtics' 131–92 victory in Game 6 on June 17, 2008.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20">[21]

Not long after winning the championship, Pierce was asked, "Is Kobe (Kobe Bryant) really the best player in the world?" Pierce responded by saying, "I don't think Kobe is the best player. I'm the best player. There's a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don't cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself." The quote drew minor controversy.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-21">[22]

[edit]2008–09 season
Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics being defended by LeBron James.Pierce and the Celtics looked to repeat as world champions during the 2008-09 NBA season. Pierce missed only one game the entire season, led the team in scoring and was named to the 2009 NBA All-Star Game. Despite Pierce's success, with Kevin Garnett hurt the Celtics lost in the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.

[edit]2009–10 season
At the 2010 NBA All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Pierce became the first Celtic since Larry Bird to win the Three-Point Shootout.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22">[23]

In game 3 of the first round between the Celtics and Miami Heat in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, Pierce hit a 21-foot jumper at the buzzer to beat Miami 100–98, and give the Celtics a 3–0 series lead.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23">[24] The Celtics went on to win that series, and also defeated the heavily favored Cavaliers in the second round. They faced the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, and beat them in 6 games to advance to their second Finals appearance in the Big 3 era. They faced off against the Lakers in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals, and took a 3-2 lead heading back to Los Angeles. However, the Celtics were blown out in game 6 and lost a 13 point second half lead in game 7, losing the deciding game 83-79.

On June 29, 2010, Pierce opted out of his contract and triggered his early termination contract to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2010.<sup class="Template-Fact">[citation needed] However, on July 2, Pierce and the Celtics verbally agreed to a four-year extension keeping him in Boston through the 2013–14 season.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-24">[25]

[edit]2010–11 season
On November 3, 2010, during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Pierce scored his 20,000th career point on a free throw, becoming the third person in Celtics history to reach that milestone solely in a Celtics uniform.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-25">[26] The Celtics finished the season with the number 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and swept the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. In the second round, the Celtics took on the Miami Heat and their big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. The Celtics lost to Miami, who eventually moved on to the NBA Finals, in five games.

[edit]2011-12 season
On February 7, 2012, during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats, Pierce scored fifteen points to pass Larry Bird for second place on the Boston Celtics' all-time scoring list. He was named to his tenth NBA All-Star appearance on February 9, 2012. He then played his 1,000th career game with the Celtics on March 9, 2012 against the Portland Trail Blazers, joining Havlicek and Robert Parish as the only Celtic players to play in over 1,000 career games.

[edit]Stabbing incident
On September 25, 2000, Pierce was stabbed 11 times in the face, neck, and back and had a bottle smashed over his head while at the Buzz Club, a late night dance club in Boston's theatre district. He had to undergo lung surgery to repair the damage.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-26">[27] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-27">[28] Nevertheless, Pierce was the only Celtic to start all 82 games in the 2000–01 season. Also, witnesses say that Pierce was attempting to separate the fighters when he was stabbed.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-28">[29] Tony Battie, Pierce's teammate at the time, along with Battie’s brother, saved him by rushing him to a nearby hospital after the near-fatal stabbing.

[edit]International
Pierce was a member of the US national team for the 2002 FIBA World Championship, starting all nine games and averaging 19.8 ppg. Pierce was also selected for the United States National Basketball team for the 2006 FIBA World Championship, but did not compete because of minor off-season surgery.

[edit]Nickname
His nickname, The Truth, was accorded to him by Shaquille O'Neal. After a Lakers' victory over the Celtics in 2001, O'Neal pulled a Boston reporter over and gestured toward his notepad. "Take this down", said O'Neal. "My name is Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce is the [expletive] truth. Quote me on that and don't take nothing out. I knew he could play, but I didn't know he could play like this. Paul Pierce is the truth."<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-29">[30]

[edit]NBA

 * NBA Champion: 2008
 * NBA Finals MVP: 2008
 * All-NBA Second Team: 2009
 * 3-time All-NBA Third Team: 2002, 2003, 2008
 * 10-time NBA All-Star: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
 * NBA All-Rookie First Team: 1999
 * NBA 3-Point Contest Winner: 2010
 * NBA regular-season leader, total points: 2002 (2144)
 * NBA regular-season leader, free throws made: 2003 (604)

[edit]College

 * Named First Team All-America by the Associated Press after his junior year at the University of Kansas.
 * Named Big Eight Freshman of the Year in 1995–96.
 * MVP of the Big 12 Conference Tournament in both 1997 and 1998.
 * Member of the All-Big 12 First Team in 1997–1998.

[edit]Other

 * Member of the US national team in the 2002 FIBA World Championship.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-30">[31]
 * Member of the 2006 USA Basketball World Championship Team (Did not play due to an elbow injury).

[edit]Boston Celtics franchise records

 * Most points scored in a game at TD Banknorth Garden: 50 (February 15, 2006 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers).
 * Most points scored in a half (including Overtime): 46 (December 1, 2001 2nd Half vs. New Jersey Nets).
 * Most points scored in an overtime period: 13 (December 1, 2001 vs. New Jersey Nets)
 * Most three-point field goals made, career: 1578<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference_31-0">[32]
 * Most three-point field goals attempted, career: 4273<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference_31-1">[32]
 * Most free throws made, career: 5808<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference_31-2">[32]
 * Most free throws attempted, career: 7212<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference_31-3">[32]
 * Most free throws made in one game: 20 (November 2, 2002 vs. New York Knicks).
 * Most free throws attempted in one game: 24 (November 5, 2005 vs. New York Knicks).
 * Most free throws made in one half: 14 (March 2, 2001 vs. Utah Jazz).
 * Most free throws made in one season: 627 (2005–2006, breaking his own record of 604 set in 2002–2003).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference2_32-0">[33]
 * Most free throws attempted in one season: 812 (2005–2006, breaking his own record of 753 set in 2002–2003).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference2_32-1">[33]
 * Most steals in one game: 9 (tied with Larry Bird; December 3, 1999 vs. Miami Heat).
 * Most free throws made without a miss, playoffs: 21 (Game 1, 2003 Eastern Conference First Round).
 * Most points scored in one half, playoffs: 32 (Game 4, 2003 Eastern Conference First Round vs. Indiana Pacers).
 * Highest scoring average through one month: 33.5 PPG (February 2006).
 * Only Celtics player in franchise history to lead the NBA in total points scored in a season, scoring 2,144 points in 2001–2002.
 * Career scoring average: 22.2 PPG, 2nd only to Larry Bird.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference_31-4">[32]
 * Currently is the Celtics 2nd all time leading scorer, behind only John Havlicek.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-basketball-reference_31-5">[32]

[edit]See also

 * List of National Basketball Association players with 1000 games played
 * List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association career turnovers leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association career 3-point scoring leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association career free throw scoring leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association career playoff turnovers leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association career playoff 3-point scoring leaders
 * List of National Basketball Association players with 9 or more steals in a game

[edit]Notes

 * 1) ^ Pierce stars in his moment of Truth – The Boston Globe
 * 2) ^ Kamenetzky, Brian (June 2, 2010). "Boston Celtics Paul Pierce talks about Los Angeles Lakers fans - ESPN Los Angeles".ESPN. Retrieved 23 December 2011.
 * 3) ^ "Wilkins Honored as One of 35 Greatest McDonald's All Americans". NBA. 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2012-02-09.
 * 4) ^ "CNNSI.com – 2002 NBA Playoffs – Celtics pull off biggest comeback ever – Saturday May 25, 2002 09:53 PM". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
 * 5) ^ [1]<sup class="noprint Inline-Template">[dead link]
 * 6) ^ "NBA.com James' Triple-Double Upstages Pierce's 50". Nba.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
 * 7) ^ Mar 8, 12:03 am EST. "Celtics 116, Wizards 115, OT – NBA – Yahoo! Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
 * 8) ^ "Celtics Snap 18-Game Losing Streak to Spurs". nba.com- Elizabeth White, Associated Press Writer. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
 * 9) ^ "Top Ten Worst to First Sports Teams". ballgametravel.com- Kurt Schrader. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
 * 10) ^ Bethlehem Shoals, A Thinner, Happier, More Defensive Paul Pierce, AOL Sports, August 14, 2008.
 * 11) ^ a b Court gesture no joke: League hands fine to Paul Pierce,Boston Herald, April 29, 2008.
 * 12) ^ Marc J. Spears, Pierce fined $25,000, The Boston Globe, April 28, 2008.
 * 13) ^ Pierce responds, Boston Herald, April 30, 2008.
 * 14) ^ Celtics' Pierce denies gesture was gang-related, Associated Press, April 30, 2008.
 * 15) ^ Celtics Top Game 7 Scoring Performances, NBA.com, May 18, 2008.
 * 16) ^ Pierce, James duke it out as Celtics close out Cavs in Game 7,Associated Press, May 18, 2008.
 * 17) ^ Peter F. Stringer, Pierce-James Duel Makes Game 7 an Instant Classic, Celtics.com, May 18, 2008.
 * 18) ^ Mark Murphy, Injured Paul Pierce keys Game 1 win, Boston Herald, June 6, 2008.
 * 19) ^ Couper Moorhead, Showing Heart, Pierce Recovers from Wounded Knee To Bury Lakers, Celtics.com, June 6, 2008.
 * 20) ^ Michael Vega, Pierce felt pain, hurt Lakers, The Boston Globe, June 6, 2008.
 * 21) ^ Pierce wins MVP and big three take care of business in Finals,Associated Press, June 18, 2008.
 * 22) ^ "Paul Pierce says he's the best player in the world". sports.yahoo.com-J.E. Skeets. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
 * 23) ^ "Clutch shooting in finals leads Pierce to Three-Point win". nba.com-Scott Howard-Cooper. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
 * 24) ^ "After Game 3 drama, Celtics 1 win from a sweep". sports.yahoo.com-TIM REYNOLDS. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
 * 25) ^ "Reports: Pierce agrees to 4-year deal". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 2, 2010.
 * 26) ^ Pierce score 20,000th point in overtime win, theglobalmail.com November 4, 2010, accessed November 4, 2010.
 * 27) ^ "ESPN.com – NBA – Two suspects arraigned". static.espn.go.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
 * 28) ^ Lena Williams (Published: September 26, 2000). "PRO BASKETBALL; Nightclub Incident Leaves Celtic Recovering From Stab Wounds – New York Times". Query.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
 * 29) ^ "Celtics Star Paul Pierce Fights Back On BEYOND THE GLORY | Celtics.com". Nba.com. Retrieved 2008-11-11.
 * 30) ^ Daily Dime: Pierce elevates his game for the Lakers,ESPN.com, June 2, 2008.
 * 31) ^ 2002 USA Basketball
 * 32) ^ a b c d e f "Boston Celtics Career Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
 * 33) ^ a b "Boston Celtics Season Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 24 June 2011.