Pierce wants to finish his career in Europe.

[jackson_34]

http://www.csnphilly.com/08/19/10/Pierce-Wants-to-Finish-Career-in-Europe/landing_word_bball.html?blockID=294068&feedID=4683

via CSNNE;

"As far as retiring from the NBA, I think I will be done after this contract because eventually I want to go overseas and play and live for a couple of years," Pierce told CSNNE.com.

"That's why this is a big contract for me, knowing I'm going to retire a Boston Celtic. I want to go to either Italy or Greece for a year. I think I want to be able to bring my family over to just kind of share a different experience overseas for a couple of years, before I settle into retirement."

Personally I'm ok with this, who wouldn't want the chance to play and live in Europe. However I must admit it will be a bittersweet feeling seeing Pierce in a different jersey (at least it would not directly influence the C's championship aspirations).

[pearljammer10]

No big deal for me. NBA career ends with the Celtics, he can play more basketball in whatever form he wants. I feel like this happens for many players. They cant keep up with the NBA play and they find other leagues to play in.

[ChampKind]

Yeah, not sure if that would taint his legacy as a lifelong Celtic. I don't think it does, but I'd have to see if to better understand. Does playing in a different jersey, even if it's not a NBA jersey, impact his status as the rare breed of player that spends his whole career with one team? Can anyone think of another example where this happened - not just playing overseas at the tail end of a career, but doing it after playing for one team exclusively?

[housecall]

I watched this interview with Greg Dickerson and it sounded like Pierce was more interesting in his family experiencing different cultures in their lives as well as him continuing to play ball.His legacy as a Celtics will be intact either way(IMO)...its a good thing to broaden your horizons.

[GreenFaith1819]

Yeah - I have no problem with this. There are definitely some nice places over in Europe.

As long as doesn't defect to the Lakers or something, I'm all good. It'd be nice to see him bring at least one more Banner home in Green, though.

[guava_wrench]

This impresses me. He isn't trying to extend his career. He just wants to experience the world with his family. I respect that.

[Roy H.]

This impresses me. He isn't trying to extend his career. He just wants to experience the world with his family. I respect that.

Yeah, I think it's a pretty cool thing, too.  Living in Europe for a year or two would be a dream for a lot of people, and if Pierce has the means to do so, more power to him.

[2short]

Sounds great!
Done high level nba playing you gradually go into retirement by playing in Italy, short season, great country pack the whole family for a years "vacation"

[Ethan]

OMFG Paul!!! And why do you dont wanna come to Spain? 

[Snakehead]

Like others have said, seems like an awesome move for his family.  Very cool.  It'll be fun to see some highlights of Pierce looking like the dominant Paul of old against a bunch of scrawny white dudes too 

[BballTim]

  I could see wanting to live in Europe, not sure about him playing there. Maybe he needs to see some clips of fans throwing coins at players they don't like before he makes any drastic decisions.

[makaveli]

  I could see wanting to live in Europe, not sure about him playing there. Maybe he needs to see some clips of fans throwing coins at players they don't like before he makes any drastic decisions.

Coins?
You wish 

[Drucci]

I was surprised by Pierce's desire to play in Europe but I think he, more than anything, wants to live in Europe for a year or two, to discover unknown parts of the world with his family.

I'm not sure why he feels like he has necessarily to play in Europe to live there but it's an intriguing idea, I wonder how well a 36 years old Paul Pierce would fare in the European league.

I don't think it would taint his Celtics/NBA legacy either, he would still be considered as a lifelong Celtic.

[pearljammer10]

Coins?

What about other players throwing chairs at other players...

[Fan from VT]

Yeah, people do it in all sorts of professions.

Teachers sometimes "retire" into cushy jobs at U.S. embassies for a couple years or join a teaching corps in more needy countries.

Doctors do some Doctors without Borders work and other types of things.

Sounds fun. It's a different way to see the world...more long-term and more integrative.