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Lakers-Celtics rivalry special for Pierce
WALTHAM, Mass., (UPI) -- Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, a Los Angeles native, says it will be extra meaningful for him to face his hometown club in the NBA Finals.
Pierce, who grew up idolizing the Lakers and was a key in the Celtics' victory over them in the 2008 championship series, is again tapping his memories of fandom to add motivation to his game, The Providence Journal reported.
"It's always special just to be a part of the finals," Pierce told the newspaper. "To go back to the place where I grew up makes it even more special."
Pierce added, "I'm just glad to be a part of history. (The Celtics-Lakers rivalry) is something I grew up watching. This is the type of series that got me into basketball, watching the Lakers versus the Celtics."
The drawback, he told the Journal, was finding enough tickets for friends and relatives in Los Angeles.
"It's going to be pretty expensive, but it's going to be exciting just to have my family and friends there at a place where it all started for me, and to be back in the NBA Finals again," Pierce said.
Game 1 of the series will be Thursday in Los Angeles.
WALTHAM, Mass., (UPI) -- Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce, a Los Angeles native, says it will be extra meaningful for him to face his hometown club in the NBA Finals.
Pierce, who grew up idolizing the Lakers and was a key in the Celtics' victory over them in the 2008 championship series, is again tapping his memories of fandom to add motivation to his game, The Providence Journal reported.
"It's always special just to be a part of the finals," Pierce told the newspaper. "To go back to the place where I grew up makes it even more special."
Pierce added, "I'm just glad to be a part of history. (The Celtics-Lakers rivalry) is something I grew up watching. This is the type of series that got me into basketball, watching the Lakers versus the Celtics."
The drawback, he told the Journal, was finding enough tickets for friends and relatives in Los Angeles.
"It's going to be pretty expensive, but it's going to be exciting just to have my family and friends there at a place where it all started for me, and to be back in the NBA Finals again," Pierce said.
Game 1 of the series will be Thursday in Los Angeles.