Name: Paul Anthony Pierce
Born: October 13, 1977 in Oakland, CA
Team: Boston Celtics
Position: Shooting Guard, Small Forward
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Nicknames: The Truth
High School: Inglewood in Inglewood, CA
College: University of Kansas
Drafted: 1998; 1st round, 10th pick by the Boston Celtics
Teams Played For In Career:
- Boston Celtics (1998-Present)
MAJOR AWARDS AND HONORS:
NBA All-Star
- 2001-02 All-Star
- 2002-03 All-Star
- 2003-04 All-Star
- 2004-05 All-Star
- 2005-06 All-Star
All-NBA Teams
- 2001-02 All-NBA Third Team
- 2002-03 All-NBA Third Team
NBA All-Rookie Team
- 1998-99 All-Rookie First Team
Background:
Pierce played three seasons at the University of Kansas where he earned MVP honors in the Big 12 Conference Tournament in both 1997 and 1998. He entered the 1998 NBA draft and was selected by the Celtics with their 10th pick overall, a pick Pierce was determined to prove was too low for him. He proved every team wrong with his great play as a rookie.
Pierce has a reputation of being tough as nails. On September 25, 2000 that reputation was unfortunately put to the test as he was hit over the head with a champagne bottle and stabbed 11 times in the neck, chest and back while at a nightclub. Pierce underwent lung surgery and doctors claimed that he was within minutes of death. He recovered quickly from this horrific attack and played in every game that season (2000-01). Once again, Pierce proved his worth and desire to play in the league.
His Career Thus Far:
Pierce has been a model of consistency for the Celtics averaging 20+ points per game throughout his career. In the 2002 playoffs, the Celtics went as far as the Eastern Conference Finals where the New Jersey Nets defeated them in six games. During Game 3 of that series, Pierce led the Celtics to the biggest fourth quarter comeback in NBA playoff history, overcoming a 21-point deficit in the 4th quarter. Pierce scored 19 of his 28 points in the final quarter to lead Boston to a triumphant 94-90 victory.
With the offseason acquisitions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, both All-Star caliber players, Pierce hopes to get over the hump of the Eastern Conference playoffs and get to his first NBA Finals in his career this coming 2007-08 season.
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