The Truth: Pierce doesn't want to share jersey retirement with IT4 tribute
Paul Pierce doesn't want to see a tribute video for Isaiah Thomas when the Boston Celtics retire his No. 34 jersey following a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers next month.
The Celts had planned to run a tribute video for Thomas when the Cavaliers visited TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday, but Thomas, who sat out the game after making his season debut Tuesday, asked the team to push it back so he could be on the court and bring his family.
"I'm not saying Isaiah shouldn't get a tribute video ... but on Feb. 11, the night I get my jersey retired, I'm not sure I want to look up at the JumboTron and see Isaiah highlights,' Pierce said Thursday during an appearance on ESPN's The Jump.
For his part, Thomas doesn't believe his in-game tribute would spoil Pierce's night.
"That's Pierce's night. But, like, the video tribute ain't the whole night," Thomas said. "I just wanted my family to be here to see it. That's what it came down to. I wanted to be able to play. And I wanted my family to experience the love and appreciation this city and this organization is going to give me on that night. And when my representatives reached out to these guys, [the Celtics] were all for it. They agreed on it.
"I'm not taking nothing from Paul Pierce. He did 15 years here so there's nothing that I can take from him. But if they choose to do it that night, that would be great and I would be honored. And my family and friends can see how much they appreciated me here."
In a radio appearance on 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston on Thursday morning, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said he also doesn't see the problem with a Thomas tribute that night.
"I think it won't interfere with Paul," Ainge said. "And Paul understands that, everybody understands that. It'll be a great game and a great moment. And Isaiah deserves it, in our minds.
"Obviously you can't compare the two, but Isaiah has been very gracious through this whole process. He hasn't made any demands; he just had one request and we granted him that request."
Thomas, a fan favorite in his time in Boston, played 2 1/2 seasons with the Celtics before being traded to the Cavaliers over the offseason. Meanwhile, Pierce spent the first 15 seasons of his 19-year career with the Celtics.
--Field Level Media
