Today in Boston Celtics history, in 2017, Hall of Fame small forward Paul Pierce signed a contract to return to the Celtics for a single-day stint, allowing him to retire as a member of the franchise with which he spent 15 seasons before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets in 2013.
Following his tenure with the Nets, Pierce had stints with the Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers before making a symbolic return to the team that selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, after his collegiate career at Kansas. During his time with Boston, Pierce was feted with significant accolades, including winning an NBA championship in 2008, earning Finals MVP, being selected for 10 All-Star teams, being named to four All-NBA teams, and earning a spot on the All-Rookie First Team in 1999, among numerous other honors.
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He averaged 21.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while with the team.
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 5: Paul Pierce #34 of the LA Clippers talks with media after the game against the Boston Celtics on February 5, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
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It is also the date former Celtics point guard J.R. Bremer signed with the team as an undrafted free agent out of St. Bonaventure in 2002. “It takes a lot of pressure off me, but at the same time adds pressure,” said Bremer (via St. Bonaventure Athletics). “I still have to make the team in training camp and everything. I’m happy to be settled, finally.”
Jamaal Tinsley (R) of the Indiana Pacers passes over J.R. Bremer (L) of the Boston Celtics at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts, 26 February 2003. AFP PHOTO/JOHN MOTTERN (Photo by JOHN MOTTERN / AFP) (Photo by JOHN MOTTERN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bremer signed a 2-year deal with the team for just over $900,000 but was dealt with Bruno Sundov and draft assets to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Jumaine Jones in summer 2003. He logged 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game with Boston.
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Birthdays
It is the birthday of Eric Williams, who was drafted out of Providence College with the 14th pick of the 1995 NBA Draft. He came into this world in 1972 in Newark, New Jersey. Williams played seven seasons with Boston in two stints.
Eric Williams (R) of the Boston Celtics defends against Al Harrington (L) of the Indiana Pacers at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts, 26 February 2003. AFP PHOTO/JOHN MOTTERN (Photo by JOHN MOTTERN / AFP) (Photo by JOHN MOTTERN/AFP via Getty Images)
It also happens to be the birthday of Ex-Celtics forward Calbert Cheaney, who played one season with Boston in 1999-2000. He was born in 1971 in Evansville, Indiana. Cheaney signed with the team as a free agent, and played 67 games for the Celtics, putting up 4 points, 2.1 boards and 1.2 assists per contest with the team before he was traded with Robert Pack to the Denver Nuggets for Chris Herren and Bryant Stith in 2000.
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Vander Blue, a shooting guard out of Marquette signed by Boston to a 10-day contract in 2014, was also born today in 1992 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Blue played just three games as a Celtic, recording an average of 1.7 points and 1 rebound per game.
Celtics center Chris Johnson was born today as well, in 1985 in Washington, DC. Johnson also had the briefest of tenures with Boston, signing a 10-day deal and playing four games with the team in 2011, and putting up 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest as a Celtic.
Jan 30, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard speaks during an Indiana Pacers press conference at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, it is also the birthday of Celtics short-timer (and current Indiana Pacers exec) Kevin Pritchard, who came into this world in 1967 in Bloomington, Indiana. Pritchard (no relation to Payton) played at Kansas and was picked up by the Golden State Warriors in the 1990 NBA Draft.
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After a season playing for the Dubs, his rights were sold to the San Antonio Spurs, who cut him. The Indiana native signed with Boston but appeared in just 11 games for the Celtics before he was waived by the team. Pritchard logged 4.2 points, 1 board, and 2.7 assists per game.
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Today in Boston Celtics history: Pierce signs with Celts to retire; Eric Williams born
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
