Pierce: Last game in Boston will be 'fun, but emotional'

The Truth is set to play his last game where it all began.

Sunday's matchup between the Celtics and Clippers will mark the final time that Los Angeles' Paul Pierce - who's retiring after the campaign - will suit up at TD Garden in front of his former Boston fans, barring an unlikely Finals matchup.

"It's going to be emotional, just knowing this is the last time I'm going to be in the Garden as a player," the 39-year-old told Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe on Friday.

"So just stepping on the court and thinking about all the fans that kind of grew with me, all the people I had a chance to establish relationships with over the years. It's going to be fun, but emotional."

While he isn't expecting a Kobe-level farewell, Pierce does have something special planned for his final game at the Garden.

"Kobe had like the whole all-year thing in every arena," Pierce told ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "This is like my goodbye when I come into (the Garden). I know one thing, I want to give Lucky (the Leprechaun logo) one last kiss. That's one thing I know I want to do. I'll probably go to halfcourt and give Lucky one last kiss."

Pierce knew early that he wanted to leave a legacy with the storied Celtics franchise, which drafted him tenth overall in 1998.

"I wanted to be there for the long run and establish myself and establish my name there in Boston," he said. "... As you grow and get better and they stay patient with you, I just felt like over the years the city embraced me, especially after I established myself. And I was really fortunate to be able to spend a long time there. A lot of players don't spend a long time in one place anymore. So the city had a player they could hang their hat on, a player that grew with them."

Pierce averaged 21.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 dimes, and 1.3 steals over 15 seasons in Beantown. His scoring prowess, among other things, saw him make 10 All-Star appearances and earn four All-NBA nods.

But to him, none of his stats or accolades meant anything without a title, which he finally captured in 2008 as a member of Boston's Big Three that also featured Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Pierce shined and picked up Finals MVP honors following the six-game series versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I really didn't (think I was the next great Celtic) until I won a championship," he admitted. "All the numbers in the rafters are guys that have been a part of championship teams. Once we won a championship, I really felt like I'd be a part of the history of Boston. Regardless of the numbers I put up, it was nothing without a championship."

And so, Pierce did what he set out to do. He gave a lot to the organization - even in his departure - and will go down as one of the greatest Celtics players ever.

The Truth - Boston's all-team leader in 3-pointers, free throws, and steals - believes the club's fans just want players to give it their all. He certainly did during his time in green, and he'll have one more chance to impress on Sunday, albeit as a visitor.