"When did Paul Pierce know his NBA career was over? The moment Wesley Johnson crossed him"

For every NBA player, the most challenging aspect is accepting that it is time to conclude their career. Paul Pierce openly acknowledges that when he departed from the Boston Celtics in 2013, there would be changes in his accustomed role.

"I was aware that once I left Boston, I would assume a lesser role, which I was content with. No longer being at the forefront, with the pressure on me to be the top scorer and defender, was something I was fine with. However, there came a moment when I realized, 'Man, it's probably time to retire,'" the 10-time All-Star expressed on the Ticker & The Truth podcast.

Pierce had a premonition of retirement approaching. It was not an easy realization for Pierce, who believed he could still be an effective starter on any other team. He demonstrated his value, particularly during his stints with the Brooklyn Nets and the Washington Wizards from 2013 to 2015. In 2015, he joined the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with his former coach, Doc Rivers. As the 10th overall pick of the 1998 NBA Draft, Pierce assumed he would regain his starting position, knowing that Rivers was aware of his capabilities.

However, to his surprise, Pierce found himself caught off guard when Doc Rivers opted to start Wesley Johnson instead. At that moment, the former Kansas Jayhawk realized that it marked the beginning of the end. "When Doc didn't start me after I called the game and I was coming off the bench, and Wesley Johnson was in front of me, I knew it was the end.

I thought to myself, 'Damn, maybe I don't have it anymore,'" Pierce shared. Facing the harsh reality, It was a bitter pill for the 2008 NBA Finals MVP to swallow, as he had to make significant adjustments to coming off the bench.

"Coming off the bench requires a completely different mindset because, as an older player who has been accustomed to starting for so many years, you don't know how to prepare for that," he added. Ironically, Pierce's situation brings to mind a similar move made by Rivers with Ray Allen back in 2012. With Avery Bradley showing promise with the Celtics at the time, Rivers informed the 10-time All-Star guard that he would be coming off the bench.

According to Pierce, this was the reason why Allen ultimately decided to join the Miami Heat, where he won his second NBA championship. Pierce's statistics took a significant dip during his time with the Clippers. The Truth averaged a career-low of 5.4 points and 2.5 rebounds in 93 regular season games, according to Basketball-Reference, during the two seasons he spent there.

He also had minimal impact during the Clippers' NBA playoffs, appearing in only 12 games and averaging just 2.3 points and 1.7 rebounds in a mere 12.9 minutes of playing time. The Clippers decided to waive Pierce on June 28, 2017. He officially retired in 2017 after signing a ceremonial contract with the Celtics.