Fansided

5 greatest moments of Paul Pierce’s NBA career

By Jason Klaer

Apr 21, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts in the final seconds of the game in front of Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) as they beat the Utah Jazz 111-106 in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) reacts in the final seconds of the game in front of Utah Jazz forward Joe Johnson (6) as they beat the Utah Jazz 111-106 in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sunday’s Game 7 was not only the Clippers’ final game of the 2016-17 season, but the final game Paul Pierce’s NBA career. Here the five greatest moments from this future hall-of-famer.

After 19 seasons and 1343 games, Paul Pierce is stepping away from the NBA. Pierce announced he would be playing his final season in the NBA last fall. The Boston Celtics selected Pierce in the first round of the 1998 NBA Draft. Despite an injury-ridden 2006-07, Pierce consistently played over 75 games throughout the entirety of his career. Furthermore, the career of the NBA All-Star forward changed forever in the summer of 2007. Boston acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to chase the franchise’s first championship in 22 seasons. Months later, Pierce was hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the one and only time in his career. Although this was a major accomplishment, Pierce wowed NBA  fans long before the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Here are the five greatest moments from his legendary career.

5. First NBA All-Star appearance (2001-02)

In his fourth NBA season, Pierce was announced as an NBA-Star. Pierce would be voted into the following four All-Star games. He was teammates with Ray Allen while he squared up against Kevin Garnett, who was then on the Timberwolves. Pierce netted 19 points, which was good enough for second-most on the Eastern Conference roster. This contest was held at the First Union Center in Philadelphia and would be the first of 10 All-Star appearances for Pierce.

In his 2001-02 season, Pierce averaged 26.1 points per game while starting in all 82 games. Pierce led Boston to a 49-33 record and clinched the third seed in the NBA Playoffs. Eventually Boston would fall in six games to the New Jersey Nets. The Celtics only lost three playoff games heading into the New Jersey series. For the next four seasons, the Celtics would reach the playoffs and Pierce was instrumental in each postseason run

At the ripe age of 24, this season and All-Star appearance were Pierce’s coming-out party as a superstar.

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