Washington Wizards: Paul Pierce Should Have Retired In D.C.

Washington Wizards got the last year of The Truth, so Paul Pierce should have called it a career in the nation’s capital.

There aren’t many players in the NBA that could leave a lasting impact on a franchise after playing just a single season. Paul Pierce is the exception.

After losing Trevor Ariza to free agency in 2014, the Washington Wizards recovered by surprisingly convincing Pierce to join their young team in the final stretch of his career.

Immediately, Pierce exceeded expectations on the court, often bailing the Wizards out late in games. But more importantly, Pierce became the first role model that John Wall and Bradley Beal had since joining the league.

The future Hall-of-Famer had a blunt demeanor and wasn’t afraid to hurt some feelings if he had to get the most out of his teammates. It didn’t take the team very long to learn that Pierce had come to Washington to actually win and not just teach.

Before the NBA Playoffs even began, Pierce put pressure on the Wizards by calling the Toronto Raptors out. Washington, an inexperienced team, was faced with playing away from home in one of the most impressive atmospheres the NBA has to offer.

Pierce’s trash talk lit a spark under the Wizards and the team’s core flourished on the grandest stage. Wall, Beal and Otto Porter all played some of their best games in the playoffs, leading the Wizards to a series sweep against the Raptors in the first round.

Averaging close to 15 points and 4 rebounds per game in the playoffs for Washington, Pierce showed that he was still capable of playing at a high level, even if he couldn’t do it for 30-plus minutes.

His theatrics and clutch shooting was on full display against the Raptors, but he completely turned back the clock against the Atlanta Hawks in the semifinals.

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Needing a hand from the veteran, Pierce was called upon to become a go-to scorer for the Wizards in the fourth quarter.

At age 37, Pierce somehow still managed to come through.

With three defenders draped all over him, Pierce knocked down a game-winning shot at the buzzer against the Hawks in Game-3.

Pierce then delivered his now iconic speech, telling Chris Broussard that he didn’t call bank, but that he did “call game.”

The magic that Pierce created at the moment cannot be replicated, and really, it can only be compared to what Gilbert Arenas did in the mid 2000’s for the Washington Wizards.

As great as Wall, Beal and Porter were in the playoffs, none of them generated a buzz like Pierce did in D.C. He instantly became one of the most popular athletes in the nation’s capital.

And then, just weeks after his shot at the buzzer did not count in Game 6, Pierce decided to leave Washington forever.

Reports had signaled that Pierce was interested in returning home to play for the Los Angeles Clippers, setting up a reunion with Doc Rivers, who coached the Boston Celtics when Pierce won a ring.

Despite the success he had in Washington, Pierce decided that finishing his career at home was the best way to hang up the sneakers.

Now, I cannot fault Pierce for returning home to play for a team that’s better on paper than the Wizards. However, from a legacy standpoint, Pierce could have walked away from the game on his terms.

In his first season with the Clippers, Pierce took on a much smaller role than he did in Washington.

Pierce was no longer a starter, backing up NBA bust Wesley Johnson. His role was significantly reduced to the point where he wasn’t even getting a chance to help the team win. In the playoffs this year, Pierce averaged just over 1 point per game.

It wasn’t long ago that Pierce was still hitting clutch, meaningful shots in the playoffs. The Washington Wizards did all they could to convince him to return for at least one more season, but he decided to go home instead.

The disappointing season he had with the Clippers won’t stop him from quitting yet, though.

According to The Orange Country Register, Pierce is going to return for his 19th season with the Clippers.

"Pierce, an 18-season veteran in the NBA, is planning to return to the Clippers for his 19th season in the league, according to multiple league sources."

Father time will catch up to everyone, especially in a sports context. Most of the players we grew up watching are no longer around in the NBA. Some have decided to overstay their welcome, and that appears to be the case with Pierce.

If Pierce decided to call it quits after his single season in Washington, he would have been remembered as The Truth. He could have went out on top. Now he’s become unplayable and almost sad to watch, as depressing as that is to say. He’s become a prizefighter who still wants to tussle, but clearly cannot compete anymore.

Next: 5 Reasons To Be Optimistic About The Wizards For 2017

Hindsight is 20/20, but we all could have seen this coming. It’s hard to believe that it’s been two summers since Pierce arrived to Washington. Along with the time that has passed, our memories of the Paul Pierce have become more and more distant.

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