Clipperholics
Fansided

Clippers’ Paul Pierce says he’s ’50/50′ to retire now

By Tom West

Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) sits on the bench before the start of game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) sits on the bench before the start of game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Paul Pierce endured another draining playoff exit with the Los Angeles Clippers this season, and now says there’s only a ’50/50′ chance of him coming back for 2016-17.

This season wasn’t easy for any members of the Los Angeles Clippers. For Paul Pierce in particular, it was a year of individual struggle, both physically and mentally. There was a clear decline in his already limited quickness and athleticism, his shooting numbers plummeted, and after signing with the Clippers in a final attempt for another title, he may not be riding off into the L.A. sunset with as many rings lining his worn hands as he hoped.

He already suffered a tough exit in the playoffs with the Washington Wizards last year, taking a 2-1 series lead in the second round against the Atlanta Hawks before losing three straight, despite any heroics and buzzer-beaters he could muster.

Coming back for another year, signing a three-year, $10.5 million deal with the Clippers last summer, Pierce was already putting his body through more hardship to try for his second championship. And after falling so short yet again due to the season-ending injuries of Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, Pierce is well and truly considering calling it quits this time.

As an emotional Pierce said in an interview with CSNNW.com, there’s only a 50/50 chance of him coming back right now:

"For each year the last couple of years, I’ve thought long and hard about walking away from the game. The process will continue this summer as I think long and hard, as I get older in age, talk to my family, see how my body feels. I don’t want to make an emotional decision right now, so I’ll sit down with my family and think about it. It’s just gotta hit you one day. You just never know. You don’t know. Right now, it’s 50/50. I’ll see how I feel when I wake up, if I feel like getting ready for next season. If I don’t feel that feeling, that fire’s not there, it’s going to be tough."

It’s a painful time for many NBA fans right now. For those who have been watching through the late 1990s and 2000s, many legends are coming to the end of their glorious, Hall of Fame careers. Icons such as Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce are all approaching the end, and the greatest legend of the bunch in Kobe Bryant has led the way with his retirement this season.

More clippers: Blake played in playoffs despite 'strong' injury risk

As for Pierce, he may not be ready just yet. He spoke after a loss in Game 6 to the Portland Trail Blazers as the Clippers were rid of their playoff dreams, capping off four straight losses as they were forced to fight through emotional loss and injuries of their own without Paul and Griffin.

With emotions riding so high and the daunting thought of going through everything all over again for another chance at a championship, it’s no surprise that Pierce’s comments on the future sounded so uncertain. Mentally, after being in the league since 1998, it’s no surprise that 38-year-old Truth may be ready to stroll away from the game at long last.

More from Clipperholics

In terms of his on-court ability, though, he won’t be helping the Clippers even if he avoids retirement a little longer. With his complete lack of defensive support, either on the perimeter or as an undersized, outmatched stretch four inside, and departed jump shot (36.3 percent from the field and 31 percent from three), the team’s net rating was 5.1 points lower whenever he was on the floor.

As painful as it may be to admit it, The Truth was terrible this season. It’s always hard to see a legend on their last legs, and when they aren’t still producing as a vital part of their team like Dirk is, it’s even more difficult for their glowing career to fade.

Because unless Pierce’s shooting experiences a dramatic and unlikely turnaround next season, he won’t be making a positive impact at either end of the floor.

Next: Doc is already planning how to improve the Clippers

Sadly, if Pierce decides to end his contract with the Clippers early and begin his retirement, it may be for the best.

Home/Clippers News