My favorite athlete ever is Paul Pierce. When I was a kid I used to watch any Celtics game I could religiously. I would even watch his highlights on YouTube and try and emulate his moves when I would play against my friends outside.
It's hard watching your favorite player age, and no longer do the same things they once did so effortlessly. It's like watching your dog or cat age. At one point they were so full of energy, and they eventually become old and lazy.
I have enjoyed a lot of Paul Pierce moments over the years, but one of the cooler post-Celtics moments came this past Saturday. Last week Pierce was interviewed for an ESPN article and in it he was critical of a lot of people, including the Toronto Raptors. Needless to say, Raptors fans didn't take the criticism too well and were very vocal with their disdain for Pierce in the first game of the series. They chanted Pierce Sucked and frequently boo'd him. Even in the face of all of this, he still lead his team to victory. It was a very smart tactic employed by Pierce, as it took the pressure off of his younger teammates and placed it on him- making it easier for his team to execute. It was only 20 points, but they were all very crucial in a game that went to overtime. It reminded me of Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks fans in the 90s. When big moments come, some players crumble, but stars rise, and hall of famers shine.
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