In a recent interview with ESPN, Paul Pierce had a thing or two to say about pretty much everyone. He did not mince his words when it came to Ray Allen, Lebron James, Rajon Rondo, and more…including the Brooklyn Nets. Teammates Deron Williams and Joe Johnson were also two of Pierce’s targets in the interview and they took the opportunity to speak up.
What Pierce Said About Deron Williams:
“Before I got [to Brooklyn], I looked at Deron as an MVP candidate. But I felt once we got there, that’s not what he wanted to be. He just didn’t want that. I think a lot of the pressure got to him sometimes. This was his first time in the national spotlight. The media in Utah is not the same as the media in New York, so that can wear on some people. I think it really affected him.”
Deron Williams’ Response:
“Being here, I got pretty thick skin. He has his opinions, and that’s fine. It’s what it is. I can’t change his opinions. So just leave it at that.”
What Pierce Said About Joe Johnson:
“Joe is quiet. He doesn’t want much attention. He doesn’t say much. There’s a lot of secondary guys on [the Nets]. KG and I went there looking at [Deron Williams and Johnson] as the main guys who would push us, because we were advancing in years. But we ended up doing all the pushing…It was a tough situation [in Brooklyn] last year. Horrible, really. It was just the guys’ attitudes there. It wasn’t like we were surrounded by a bunch of young guys. They were vets who didn’t want to play and didn’t want to practice. I was looking around saying, ‘What’s this?’ Kevin [Garnett] and I had to pick them up every day in practice. If me and Kevin weren’t there, that team would have folded up. We kept them going each and every day.”
Joe Johnson’s Response:
“He’s right about me. He’s right; he and KG were the leaders. They led us through the good and the bad. So I don’t have nothing negative to say.”
I’d like to see how they really feel after Pierce retires.
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