The LA Clippers’ Doc Rivers gave Paul Pierce the perfect retirement gift, poking fun at him after being carted off in a wheelchair during Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals.
Paul Pierce is officially retired, but he’s still sticking around the NBA. Monday night was special, as the 2008 NBA Champion Celtics reunited on Area 21, Kevin Garnett’s show on TNT. The reunion featured Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, and Glen “Big Baby” Davis. Noticeably missing was Ray Allen, whom the crew explained is still not on good terms with everyone. LA Clippers’ coach, Doc Rivers even made an appearance.
During the show, Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers made an appearance via Skype. Rivers, who won the title as head coach of the Celtics, coached Pierce for a good portion of his career. Rivers, who coached Pierce in his final season, awarded him with a hitting retirement gift.
Doc got Paul Pierce the perfect retirement gift 😂💀 (via @KGArea21) pic.twitter.com/7eSDbll4y4
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 9, 2017
Nearly a decade later, Pierce had one of the more memorable moments in NBA Finals history. The Celtics were hosting the Lakers, in what was game one of the NBA Finals. With just under seven minutes in the third quarter, Pierce landed awkwardly, and immediately went down. Needing assistance of the court, Pierce was wheeled out in a wheelchair to the locker room. Just moments later, Pierce returned to the court, and played the rest of the game.
Many believe Pierce faked the severity of the injury, but nevertheless, it gave us a truly awesome moment.
It was great to see the players from that team reunited, well, almost all of them. (Ray Allen)
It was also awesome to see Pierce take this joke like a champ. Rocking the sunglasses inside the studio, the retired forward laughed with the guys, and took a seat in the wheelchair, where he remained for the remainder of the show.
With the minutes Paul had to lag during this past postseason, he deserves a nice rest.