Paul Pierce is officially set to become a Basketball Hall of Famer.
One day after watching his friend and fellow 2008 NBA Champion Kevin Garnett inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2020, The Truth got his call to join the ranks as part of the 2021 class, which will be inducted this summer.
The Inglewood, Calif. native carved a unique path to the Hoop Hall, shining on every stage and coming up clutch when the lights were brightest. After spending three years at Kansas University, Paul was drafted 10th overall by the Boston Celtics in 1998.
He went on to spend 15 of his 19 total NBA seasons in Boston, where the majority of his Hall of Fame resumé was crafted. That tenure was highlighted by the 2008 NBA Finals victory, as the Celtics raised their 17th NBA title banner with a win over their storied NBA rival the Los Angeles Lakers. For his efforts during the 2008 Finals, Paul was named Finals MVP.
After being traded by a rebuilding Boston team in the summer of 2013, Paul spent his final four seasons with three different franchises, bringing his playoff pedigree and carving out a role to succeed as each of those teams made postseason runs. His series-saving block propelled the 13-14 Brooklyn Nets to their first playoff series victory in seven years. One year later, he “called game” to propel the 2014-15 Washington Wizards to a playoff series win as well. He finished his career with two seasons as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, a long-time LA also-ran who made the postseason appearances in both of his years on the squad.
All-told, Paul Pierce was a member of 13 playoff teams, a 10-time All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection. He currently ranks 16th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 26,397 points and his ninth all-time in made threes with 2,143.
My favorite player ever. You deserve it bro. I have been watching you since Kansas. You are a true warrior. A true humble individual “The Truth”. Coming from NY, your game always stuck with me. No one can guard that corner spot. You deserve it all my dwag!
Your number one fan from the East Coast.