(Picture by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Photographs)
Draft day nerves hit completely different for each NBA prospect.
Whereas some prime picks already know their vacation spot by way of pre-draft conversations, others anxiously await their name, no matter the place they land.
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce just lately opened up about his sudden draft journey on FS1’s Communicate, sharing a narrative which may shock many followers.
Pierce entered the 1998 NBA draft projected as a top-5 decide, however his draft evening took an sudden flip.
As the primary 5 picks got here and went, uncertainty crept in – he hadn’t labored out for groups past these early slots, leaving him in unfamiliar territory.
“My situation was a bit different as I ended up going 10th,” Pierce revealed. “I didn’t want to go to the Boston Celtics. But, you know, everything works out for a reason.”
“I didn’t want to go to the Boston Celtics.” pic.twitter.com/XyWXQJdTqH
The longer term Corridor of Famer had his sights set on completely different locations.
Pierce believed the Vancouver Grizzlies (now Memphis) would choose him second total, however they opted for Mike Bibby.
His subsequent hope lay with Golden State on the fifth decide, however the Warriors selected Vince Carter, who was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors.
What began as disappointment remodeled into future. Pierce’s touchdown spot in Boston, although initially undesirable, formed him right into a cornerstone of the Celtics’ storied franchise.
Throughout a difficult interval for the workforce, he emerged as their guiding mild, creating into an elite scorer and clutch performer.
Over his 15 seasons carrying Celtic inexperienced, Pierce’s impression grew more and more profound.
His management and scoring prowess earned him ten All-Star picks, whereas constantly steering the workforce into playoff competition.
The journey reached its pinnacle in 2008 when Pierce, alongside Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, led Boston to an NBA Championship.
Wanting again, Pierce’s draft day uncertainty gave approach to an illustrious profession that completely aligned with the Celtics’ wealthy basketball custom.
Generally, as Pierce discovered, the most effective locations aren’t all the time those we initially envision.
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