Paul Pierce was selected as the 10th overall pick in 1998 and made a huge impact right out of the gate. However, during Paul's early NBA years, there were still some concerns about his own game and his Boston team's success, or lack thereof.
As the legendary swingman revealed, a significant turning point in tackling these issues came when the Celtics front office hired Jim O'Brien as head coach in early January 2001.
"He had a lot to do with [the success]. [Coach] O'Brian's system helped me flourish more to my potential. He's really opened my game up to where people are realizing who Paul Pierce is," remarked 'The Truth,' per SLAM Magazine (Edition 59).
The C's made the playoffs under O'Brien
Back then, the reputation of the Celtics was severely tarnished. The franchise's iconic 80s era starring Red Auerbach, Larry Bird, and Co. felt like a distant memory, as the team now found itself in a tough rebuilding phase.
Appointed in 1997, head coach Rick Pitino was tasked with leading the team over the hump. However, when the desired success did not materialize, his assistant coach, O'Brien, who had already worked with Pitino at Kentucky, was given the opportunity to do better.
Jim's transition to being the main man went quite smoothly shortly after his appointment, leading the team to the 2002 NBA playoffs. Not only was this an achievement that his predecessor never reached, but it also ended Boston's seven-year postseason drought, the longest in franchise history .
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Coaches' confidence was crucial for Pierce
The Celtics' return to the real business was tied to several factors, with one undoubtedly being 'The Truth' himself. During this period, the outstanding 6'7" forward stood out as the focal point, especially excelling on offense, where he evidently grew in confidence. As Paul noted, this self-assurance didn't just come out of nowhere but was effectively instilled in him by O'Brien.
"Showing his confidence put confidence in me that I haven't had since high school, to where I don't have to look over my shoulder when I take a bad shot," explained the 2008 NBA champ.
One can't help but suspect that Paul's statement contained a subtle jab at the only two coaches he's had since his Inglewood high school days: Pitino and Roy Williams, whom he worked with at Kentucky. Nevertheless, the California native was likely just thrilled to finally have the kind of support from a coach that every player, especially an offense-oriented one like himself, desperately needs.
Certainly repaying his coaches' confidence in him, Paul truly shined in the highlighted 2001-02 season . After averaging 26.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, the future Hall of Famer deservedly became a first-time All-Star.
Pierce and O'Brien made the playoffs for a second time together. However, their collaboration came to an unexpected end when Jim resigned seemingly out of nowhere during the 2003-04 campaign.
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