Boston Celtics great Larry Bird, unlike most, isn’t ready to place Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in retirement homes just yet.
According to a story via ESPN, the Indiana Pacers president, feels both players are far from just complimentary pieces even though they’re in the latter stages of their careers.
“I think they’ve both been pretty healthy throughout their careers,” Bird said Monday while speaking to reporters following the Indiana Pacers‘ Orlando Summer League game. “They haven’t had the major, major injuries that I had.
“I think they got plenty left. The way they will be coached and the bench that they have. Yeah — they’ll pick their spots, but when the time comes, they’ll be there.”
Bird says that he would’ve enjoyed seeing Pierce close out his career in Boston, after playing there for his entire career.
“I would have loved to see it,” Bird said. “I got a lot of respect for Paul and what he has accomplished. But who says he’s not going to play another four years? It’s a tough situation.”
“[Pierce] is one of the better ones to ever come through there,” Bird said. “He really is.”
Pierce and Garnett didn’t appear to have “plenty left” near the end of last season.
I think both players are in a great situation at this stage of their careers with the Brooklyn Nets. They don’t have to do most of the heavy lifting, just have to compliment the younger players, provide that veteran presence and infuse the team with physical and mental toughness.