Paul Pierce

Paul Anthony Pierce, universally known as "The Truth" — a nickname bestowed upon him by Shaquille O'Neal after Pierce dropped 42 points on the Lakers in 2001 — was the heart and soul of the Boston Celtics for 15 seasons. Drafted 10th overall in 1998, Pierce became one of the most prolific scorers in franchise history, accumulating 24,021 points as a Celtic. Pierce's defining moment came in the 2008 NBA Finals against the Lakers, where he earned Finals MVP honors as the Celtics captured their 17th championship alongside Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. In Game 1, Pierce was carried off in a wheelchair after a knee injury, only to dramatically return minutes later and hit two crucial three-pointers — a moment that became legendary in Celtics lore. A 10-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection, Pierce was known for his mid-range game, ability to draw fouls, and ice-cold clutch shooting. He finished his 19-year career with 26,397 points across stints with the Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers. His number 34 was retired by the Celtics in 2018. After retiring, Pierce became an NBA analyst on ESPN before transitioning to other media ventures.