Paul Pierce did indeed win the prize, but he went through Hell to get it. After many years of struggling and being the only star on the Celtics, he and his teammates finally won the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Paul's Rookie year & the Rick Pitino era
Pierce was picked 10th overall in the 1998 NBA Draft. The Celtics already had a star in Antoine Walker, and the two teamed up to make Boston at least competitive. The team under Coach Rick Pitino finished the season with a 19-31 record in a lockout-shortened season.