Paul Pierce seems to be among the best gamers within the 1998 NBA Draft class. He was initially upset that he was chosen tenth total, particularly after the comparatively unknown Dirk Nowicki from Germany.
After a profitable third yr at Kansas College, Paul Pierce declared the NBA Draft in 1998. He was a well-liked prospect contemplating he was the proper measurement for a 6’8” gobble wing participant.
With its reputation, folks have been hoping he would change into the highest choose. However that each one modified when he fell throughout the 1998 NBA Draft. He was chosen for the tenth total choose within the second half of the lottery. The Boston Celtics have been a workforce he hated as a baby from California and added to his frustration from dropping into the draft. However now he loves the workforce.
It was an unimaginable occasion, particularly when the Milwaukee Bucks selected Darkish Novitski on their ninth choose earlier than a cope with the Dallas Mavericks. Pierce was stunned that the Germans had been chosen earlier than him.
There have been already many worldwide gamers forward of the 1998 draft, however Nowitzki was comparatively unknown. The high-level scouts knew about him and predicted he could be drafted excessive, however weren’t forward of the anticipated top-five gamers like Pierce.
As a contemporary younger participant from Kansas College, Pierce thought he could be chosen over one thing like Nowicki. That wasn’t what led to his confusion and frustration about what occurred along with his decline within the NBA Draft.
Finally, each gamers grew to become legends of their respective groups. Piercing did not know they have been icons, however after the draft he received pissed off as he thought Nowicki wasn’t that large of a reputation.
“I could not consider it, I used to be the highest 5 choose I might count on. I assumed I used to be going to Vancouver with No. 2. I am two or three folks I’ve by no means heard of. Actually, I by no means heard of Darkish Nowicki as a result of he wasn’t like he was on the faculty circuit.
“I bear in mind going again and looking out on the draft and saying, “What have you learnt, there could be 9 different groups that will remorse not choosing. I knew I used to be working, so I knew I wasn’t terrified of what I mentioned.
The 1998 draft included some large names like Antone Jamison and Vince Carter, however Pierce and Nowicki are the very best gamers of their class. Not solely did they solidify themselves as franchise icons, in addition they led them to the NBA championship as last MVPs.
Pierce might have had some responsiveness to Nowitzki, however that will have disappeared as they proceeded. The Dallas entrance workplace was proper to commerce with the ninth choose, when Nowicki grew to become the Mavericks’ greatest and most iconic participant, primarily as a consequence of his MVP-worthy efficiency within the 2011 NBA Finals and his signature turnaround fadeaway.
Pierce might not attain the identical degree as high 10 gamers like Larry Chook, however he’s iconic as he completed the Celtics’ 22-year title drought as Finals MVP in 2008. He might have left the workforce to hitch Brooklyn Web, however he’s nonetheless fondly remembered as the long-lasting Celtic.
