NBA

Paul Pierce explains how the Celtics' Big 3 was different from the rest

Hall of Famer Paul Pierce opened up on the Boston Celtics' legendary Big 3 and how they were different from all the other so-called Superteams.

Paul Pierce. (Getty)
Paul Pierce. (Getty)

The Boston Celtics are one of the winningest franchises in the history of the NBA. They boast a winning tradition and have had nothing but the creme of the crop in terms of the players who have donned that jersey.

Advertisement

The team, however, has struggled to get back to their winning ways and be as dominant as they were during the Bill Russell era. In fact, they haven’t even made it to the Finals since Paul Pierce led them there back in 2010.

According to some experts, that stacked Celtics team paved the way for the start of the ā€œSuperteamā€ era later dominated by LeBron James. Pierce, however, doesn’t seem to agree with that.

Advertisement

Paul Pierce Says The Celtics Were Lucky To Get That Big 3

(Transcript via Fadeaway World)

ā€œI take a lot of pride in that [winning NBA title with the team that drafted him] and hang my hat on that. We’re in a different era, a different time. It’s different now. Players move around a lot. They manufacture their teams. The way we did it was a little different,ā€ Pierce said, via Mass Live. ā€œPeople will say I played on the new era super team, but it’s like, we had to get lucky. We got lucky with the draft pick, we got lucky with the trade, we got lucky with Kevin Garnett dropping his no-trade clause.

ā€œSo all these things had to line up, whereas today guys manufacture playing with each other, building super teams through free agency, building friendships. And I have nothing against that. That’s why I take so much pride in being with the team I was with so long, going through the tough times and finally being able to win a championship.ā€

Advertisement

Some people aren’t fond of those superteams as they believe they hurt the league’s balance and competitiveness. Others believe that it’s better to see the best players in the world altogether.

Whatever it’s the case, that Celtics team had a fierceness and tenacity that were unmatched at the time.

Advertisement

Other Top Stories:

ALSO READ
Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs live in the USA: 2025/2026 NBA regular season
NBA

Where to watch Los Angeles Lakers vs San Antonio Spurs live in the USA: 2025/2026 NBA regular season

Duke’s Kon Knueppel gets shocking NBA Draft prediction after lottery
College Basketball

Duke’s Kon Knueppel gets shocking NBA Draft prediction after lottery

NCAAB News: Duke Blue Devils to make history in the 2025 NBA Draft
College Basketball

NCAAB News: Duke Blue Devils to make history in the 2025 NBA Draft

Where to watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks live in the USA: 2024 NBA regular season game
NBA

Where to watch Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks live in the USA: 2024 NBA regular season game

Better Collective Logo