He wants to be mentioned among the greatest NBA players, like his childhood idol, Magic Johnson, who previously hosted a charity weekend benefiting several LA-based and national foundations. But Pierce knows that kind of legacy rarely comes without a championship, something he might have to chase somewhere besides Boston.
``I think about [my legacy] all the time, probably more this year than other years," said Pierce. ``I realize I'm going into my ninth year and I've probably only got five or six years left to play. If I can just get that opportunity, to be on a team where I have a chance to compete for a championship, that's all I can ask for. I guess the teams that I've been on pretty much my whole career we've been fighting just to get in the playoffs. I want the opportunity to go deep into the playoffs just to show people what I can do."
When asked if he would leave the Celtics if the opportunity to compete for a championship doesn't present itself in the near future, Pierce said, ``Maybe so, down the road. I'd definitely consider that. If I don't see the opportunity in the near future, then maybe it's my time. It's hard to say. Everything right now is based on our potential. We're one of the youngest teams in the NBA. I'm happy with the potential we have and I think those guys can be really good players, if not superstars in the NBA. My only thing is, how soon will they be good enough to win a championship? That is the veteran question that crosses my mind when I think about continuing my career as a Celtic and pursuit of being one of the best players."
Last season, Pierce frequently said he wanted to retire a Celtic and see his No. 34 raised to the rafters. Downtime in LA this summer might have changed his perspective slightly. Plus, watching Walker win a championship with the Miami Heat also made Pierce think more critically about the direction of his career.
``You get a chance to come home and be around your family and I've got people coming at me from all type of sides," said Pierce. ``I've got people telling me this is what you need to do. A lot of people say, `You need to be in LA, you won't win a championship in Boston' and `by the time y'all [in Boston] are ready, you'll be retired.' It does get to you at times and it's something to think about."
