BOSTON — Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce grew up in downtown Los Angeles and was even a Lakers fan as a kid, but he didn't hesitate to call Beantown home on Sunday afternoons.
"It's always good to be back here," he said, standing at the TD Garden after the Causeway Classic, a fan event presented by Ticketmaster. "This is home, so to be able to give back to the fans every time I come out, for what they've been able to do to support me in my career, it means a lot. At times like these you remember what you left for this building, for the city. And so I enjoy it every time."
Back at the TD Garden I asked Paul Pierce:
"It's home so to be able to give back to the fans every time I come out, for what they've been able to do to support me in my career, it means a lot. In times like these, you're reminded of what you left in this building, for the city." pic.twitter.com/T1LcMXGKIr
- Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 22 March 2026
Like Pierce, Boston wasn't always home to Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
They were born elsewhere, yet unfamiliarity was not the only reason they were initially hesitant to embrace the city. Tatum, like Pierce, grew up a Lakers fan and dreamed that the Celtics' hated rival would select him in the draft. Brown, meanwhile, was booed by Celtics fans on his draft night nearly 10 years ago for reasons beyond his control.
Despite these difficult introductions to Boston, Pierce has helped bridge the gap. As Tatum and Brown became superstars, the 2008 NBA Finals MVP supported them from afar and got to know them up close whenever he visited New England or when the Celtics traveled to LA.
"I've been happy for him since day one," Pearce told ClutchPoints. "I'm always coming over and whenever they're in Los Angeles, I try to watch their workouts... It's just a brotherhood, no matter what the age difference is."
The TD Garden crowd goes crazy for Paul Pierce (who is wearing gear from Jaylen Brown's clothing line). pic.twitter.com/btTiFmEwAI
- Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 23 October 2025
Pierce is not the first Celtic to link up with the next generation of Green Teamers. He recalled that when he was playing more than a decade ago, Celtics legends like Bob Cousy and Jo Jo White would come to team practices. Those gestures did not go unnoticed, as Pierce said they were important to keeping the Celtics' historic, winning culture alive.
"A lot of the former players were much older than me, but they always found a way to move forward and I try to do the same," he said. “I try to maintain the heritage of Celtic culture by getting back into sports whenever I can.”
In addition to appearing in support of Tatum and Brown, Pierce has also spoken out. Whenever Boston's dynamic duo draws the ire of the media — whether it's in the form of arguments over fantasy chemistry issues or the constant comparison of the two stars — Pierce supports his guys.
"When I see things that I don't think are right, I always call them out in the media because I feel like Boston players don't get their due for the most part," he revealed. “Brown not being in the Olympics, Tatum not getting minutes – I'm always advocating for them and rooting for them and fighting for them.”
It's safe to say that Paul Pierce is excited to see Jayson Tatum play again:
"That's bullshit. The ex is in trouble, you better be careful because here we come. Let's figure it out."
(via @paulpierce34 on IG) pic.twitter.com/Fzp1s576Wx
- Daniel Donabedian (@danield1214) 7 March 2026
Following their victory in a friendly 3-point contest on Garden Parquette as part of the Causeway Classic, Pierce will probably stick around to watch his pupils take the same floor in a few hours when they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night. And it doesn't matter if Pierce is sitting in a luxury suite or courtside, don't be surprised if he gets to his feet to cheer on Tatum and Brown.
“I love seeing these guys succeed,” he said.
