BOSTON -- On the eve of his final game in Boston, Paul Pierce engaged in a sprawling conversation with reporters inside Northeastern's Cabot Center, where the Los Angeles Clippers were preparing for an off-day practice. A nostalgic Pierce talked for 16 minutes -- a marathon by NBA interview standards -- before a member of the team's public relations staff interrupted and apologizing that Pierce had to join the practice.
Reporters started to back away but Pierce had one more topic he couldn't leave without speaking on.
"Man, that boy Isaiah [Thomas] is killing," said Pierce as reporters shuffled close again.