Paul Pierce Takes Jab at Lakers Before Celtics' Championship Parade

Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics former player Paul Pierce walks onto the court before game two of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics former player Paul Pierce walks onto the court before game two of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

Along with the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers stand out as another organization that likely isn’t too thrilled about the outcome of the 2024 NBA Finals. Prior to the Boston Celtics’ title-clinching win in Game 5 of the championship series, the Lakers and Celtics were tied for having the most championships of any NBA team with 17.

To add insult to injury for Los Angeles’ players, staff, and fans, before getting on a duck boat with the 2008 NBA championship trophy, former Celtics star and Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce shamed the storied franchise for hanging a banner following its in-season tournament title back in December and suggested Boston wouldn’t have done the same.

While the Lakers managed to win the inaugural in-season tournament, the team wasn’t able to parlay its success during the tournament into the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Los Angeles lost to the 2023 NBA champions — the Denver Nuggets — in five games in the first round after making an appearance in the Western Conference Finals the year prior.

Further Reading

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA Champion Entering Peak of His Powers

Jaylen Brown Caps Career Year with NBA Finals MVP: 'Can't Even Put it into Words'

Tatum and Brown Reach NBA Summit, Lead Celtics to Banner 18

Dependable Xavier Tillman Discusses Learning to 'Be a Star in Your Own Role'

Celtics Detail Keys to Perhaps Their Best Quarter This Postseason

Sports Doctor Details Challenges, Risks of Kristaps Porzingis Playing in NBA Finals

Jrue Holiday's 'Championship DNA' Rubbing Off on Celtics

Inside the Moment that Propelled Celtics to NBA Finals Game 1 Win


Published
Jesse Cinquini

JESSE CINQUINI

Jesse Cinquini is a 23-year-old sports journalist. He covers the Boston Celtics for Sports Illustrated Media Group.