ISAIAH THOMAS HAS declined the Boston Celtics’ offer to honour him with a video tribute on 11 February because it is the same day Boston are to retire fellow legend Paul Pierce’s number 34.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired Thomas from the Celtics in a trade with Kyrie Irving before the season, are scheduled to visit Boston for a game on the Sunday.
However, Thomas does not want to detract from Pierce’s moment.
“I’d like to thank the Celtics for their gracious offer to play a video tribute on Feb 11th celebrating my 3yrs in Boston,” he wrote on Twitter.
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“But since it appears this has caused some controversy w/ Paul Pierce’s night I’d ask the Celtics instead to focus all of their attention on #34′s career.”
I'd like to thank the Celtics for their gracious offer to play a video tribute on Feb 11th celebrating my 3yrs in Boston. But since it appears this has caused some controversy w/ Paul Pierce's night I'd ask the Celtics instead to focus all of their attention on #34's career.
Pierce made it known earlier this month that he would rather Thomas not be feted on his special day.
“On 11 February, the night I get my jersey retired, I’m not sure I want to look up at the jumbotron and see Isaiah highlights,” Pierce said on ESPN.
He elaborated on those comments to the same network yesterday, explaining how he had asked head of basketball operations Danny Ainge to omit Thomas from any tribute to himself.
“Danny and I talked about it for 40 minutes,” Pierce explained to ESPN. “He told me, ‘This is what we have planned,’ and at the end of the conversation, he said, ‘If you don’t want us to do Isaiah, we won’t.’ So I told him, ‘I really don’t.’ So that was it.
“That’s how we left it.”
Former Celtic Paul Pierce (34) shoots a three point basket over then-Celtic hero Thomas last February. SIPA USA / PA Images
SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images
Earlier that same day, before Thomas’ tweet, Pierce explained why he objected to plans to honor Thomas.
“He had a shot to be honored,” Pierce said. “You came to Boston. Whether you are playing or not, you should have had your tribute then. I just don’t see how, if someone is having a jersey retirement, they’re going to be running other tributes for other players.
Danny tried to sell me on it, but I told him, ‘He had a shot, Danny, and he punked you on it. He pretty much dictated everything.’ They let it happen because they felt sorry how it [the trade to Cleveland] went down. It’s guilt. That’s what it is.
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Isaiah Thomas turns down Celtics' video tribute after complaints from fellow franchise legend
ISAIAH THOMAS HAS declined the Boston Celtics’ offer to honour him with a video tribute on 11 February because it is the same day Boston are to retire fellow legend Paul Pierce’s number 34.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, who acquired Thomas from the Celtics in a trade with Kyrie Irving before the season, are scheduled to visit Boston for a game on the Sunday.
However, Thomas does not want to detract from Pierce’s moment.
“I’d like to thank the Celtics for their gracious offer to play a video tribute on Feb 11th celebrating my 3yrs in Boston,” he wrote on Twitter.
“But since it appears this has caused some controversy w/ Paul Pierce’s night I’d ask the Celtics instead to focus all of their attention on #34′s career.”
Pierce made it known earlier this month that he would rather Thomas not be feted on his special day.
“On 11 February, the night I get my jersey retired, I’m not sure I want to look up at the jumbotron and see Isaiah highlights,” Pierce said on ESPN.
He elaborated on those comments to the same network yesterday, explaining how he had asked head of basketball operations Danny Ainge to omit Thomas from any tribute to himself.
“Danny and I talked about it for 40 minutes,” Pierce explained to ESPN. “He told me, ‘This is what we have planned,’ and at the end of the conversation, he said, ‘If you don’t want us to do Isaiah, we won’t.’ So I told him, ‘I really don’t.’ So that was it.
“That’s how we left it.”
Earlier that same day, before Thomas’ tweet, Pierce explained why he objected to plans to honor Thomas.
“He had a shot to be honored,” Pierce said. “You came to Boston. Whether you are playing or not, you should have had your tribute then. I just don’t see how, if someone is having a jersey retirement, they’re going to be running other tributes for other players.
- Omni
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