Paul Pierce’s farewell tour was odd, and that’s just fine

Paul Pierce played his final NBA game on Sunday in a Game 7 loss to the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs. The 39-year-old announced it would be his final season back in September, ending a decorated career from the guy who was originally drafted 10th by the Boston Celtics. While his play slipped in the final two years of his career in L.A., that won’t taint his overall legacy.

In a way, Pierce got a farewell tour, but it’s been quieter than those of Kobe Bryant and Derek Jeter.

In fact, Draymond Green actually took the time during a Warriors-Clippers game to tell Pierce he wasn’t getting a farewell tour like Kobe. Draymond shouted, “Chasing that farewell tour. They don’t love you like that,” at Pierce. Pierce made sure to clap back, though, as he should.

The fans treated him well when he returned to Boston, as expected. He got an incredible standing ovation at the beginning of his last game at The Garden. Doc Rivers even started him this game, but pulled him about five minutes later.

Pierce returned to the game with around 20 seconds remaining and the game out of reach for the Clippers. He immediately hit one final three-pointer for Boston, in Boston.

Some of his farewell tour was pretty great and had a storybook ending.

Pierce is known for his play on the court, but he’s also known for his inability to use technology off the court. That was also no different during his final year. Maybe this is something that will change in retirement — but probably not.

He started by tweeting a link to an image search in January.

And awkwardly used two phones at the same time at the All-Star Game in February.

While Pierce is past his prime, and his farewell tour didn’t end in a 60-point game on his final night like Kobe’s, we can still appreciate the legendary career that Pierce had. No moment is greater than Pierce leading the 2008 Celtics to an NBA championship and earning Finals MVP.

Pierce wasn’t always the prettiest player in the NBA, but we’ll miss everything he brought to the game on and off the court. With Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett all retired, Pierce was one of the last members of such a great era of NBA basketball. And while near the end of his career made stops in Brooklyn, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, we’ll always remember him most in Celtic green.