Sometimes, the past can hold clues for how to handle the present, and the relationship between former Boston Celtics forwards Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce is a good template for moving past the spat that erupted in the locker room after Thursday night’s East Finals loss to the Miami Heat.
While the specifics of the dynamic at hand are different — Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown got testy about holding each other accountable after the Game 2 loss while Walker and Pierce only got one crack at an East Finals to that duos three — the urge to deliver for adoring fans never changes.
Speaking to Heavy.com’s Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson on the “Heavy Live With Scoop B” show, Walker discussed how he and Pierce could disagree vehemently about game-related issues, but managed to stay close just the same.
“Me and Paul could curse each other out and call each other every name in the book and we’re still friends the next day and we’re ready to go,” recalled Walker.
“We had the same goals in mind, we wanted to help rebuild the Celtic organization, we wanted to get back to the playoffs — we were able to do that. We had aspirations of one day winning the title, but we got along so well on and off the court for the time that we played together. Even when I left and then came back, it was just like the same way when I left and that would probably be my best teammate. Now did I enjoy playing with some other guys? No question. Shaq, D-Wade, Gary Payton; love ’em. Enjoyed playing with them — some of my best teammates.”
“But the best was Paul Pierce hands down,” he added.
Woj: Brad Stevens held late-night meeting to smooth post-loss tension https://t.co/nkj6uGRVmn
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) September 18, 2020
Depending on how they handle the quarrel, it could actually bring Smart, Brown and the rest of the team closer, as it did in Pierce and Walker’s era.
The key is whether the duo let bygones be bygones, and if they use what they have learned from the exchange to build a stronger foundation.
With word circulating they met late-night to positive effect, it seems likely Boston could actually end up stronger for the spat, a sign of a strong organizational culture.
And the kind of personal accountability rooted in the mutual respect Walker and Pierce held for one another.
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