Hoops Habit
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The top 10 moments of Paul Pierce’s NBA career

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) waves to the crowd after a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; LA Clippers forward Paul Pierce (34) waves to the crowd after a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul Pierce
May 9, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) celebrates with injured Wizards guard John Wall (L) and Washington Wizards forward Martell Webster (M) after making the game-winning basket against the Atlanta Hawks as time expired in the fourth quarter in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 103-101. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

10. “I Called Game”

The Brooklyn Nets season was rough, and his two years with the Los Angeles Clippers were even worse, but Pierce’s lone year with the Washington Wizards was actually fairly enjoyable. At age 37, the Truth mostly served a mentor role while averaging just 11.9 points per game — a career-low at that point.

But when the young guns needed him to step up late in games, Pierce delivered in vintage fashion. For example, take Game 3 of the Wizards’ first round series against Atlanta in the 2015 NBA Playoffs, in which Washington was missing John Wall but still emerged with the victory thanks to their aging veteran.

Did Paul Pierce call bank on that game-winner? No. He called game.

Pierce only finished that game with 13 points on 5-of-12 shooting, and Washington would go on to lose that series in six games despite the 2-1 series lead.

But in the last meaningful shot of his postseason career, a hobbling, old Pierce made the stepback jumper he was known for throughout his 19 years in the NBA — reminding everyone why he was the perfect mentor for Wall and Bradley Beal, and why he will go down as one of the most clutch performers in NBA history.

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