Josh Childress set the example.
Now Paul Pierce might follow it.
In an interview with Greek website Superbasket, Paul Pierce said he'd consider ending his career in Greece.
“I feel very comfortable with your country. There are lots of Greeks here in Boston. Same in California, when I grew up. In fact one tutor at our team, Pete (Chrisafidis) is Greek. Because of that and the fact that I love to travel, I wouldn’t reject playing in Greece, after the end of my contract with the Celtics. Finish my carrier there. Get on pension. Or if don’t want me, to go somewhere else in Europe”.
The translation is a little on the rough side, but the point is made. And really, who can blame him?
The NBA is a haul. It's an 82 game gauntlet that gets tougher as you advance through the playoffs. And Paul is bruising kind of player. He takes a ton of hits every game. At some point, that'll wear anyone down. But that's not how the Greek leagues work.
The schedule is lighter. There are fewer games, and no back-to-back games that force you to check into a hotel at 4 a.m. and try to be fresh that night.
And if European teams decide they want to pay Paul twice as much to play there, as he would make finishing his career in the NBA... then why wouldn't he just play out the string in one of the most beautiful countries in the world? Besides, it's not like he's abandoning Boston. He'll be back to build a legacy.
This could be the future of the NBA. Superstars accomplishing their NBA goals, then coasting into one last mega-payday overseas in what they might consider "semi-retirement."
Comments
Never too early to posture for your next contract, I guess. I call it BS. This may be a grueling league, but that's why it's the best. You truly earn everything you get.
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