Paul Pierce turned out to be one of the best players from the 1998 NBA Draft class. He was initially offended that he was selected 10th overall, especially after the relatively unknown Dirk Nowitzki from Germany.
After three successful years at the University of Kansas, Paul Pierce declared for the NBA Draft in 1998. He was a popular prospect, considering he was the optimal size for a go-to wing player at 6’8″, and he had a natural knack for scoring points.
With that popularity, people expected him to be a top pick. However, that all changed during the 1998 NBA Draft, as he fell. He was selected with the 10th overall pick in the latter half of the lottery. The Boston Celtics were a team he hated as a kid from California, which added to his frustration from falling in the draft. However, now he loves the team.
It was a surprising turn of events, especially with the Milwaukee Bucks selecting Dirk Nowitzki with the 9th pick before a trade to the Dallas Mavericks. Pierce was surprised that the German was selected before him, as he did not know much about the now-Mavericks legend.
Photo by Justine Ellement/The Boston Globe via Getty ImagesPierce never heard of Nowitzki before the 1998 Draft
While there were already plenty of international players ahead of the 1998 Draft, Nowitzki was relatively unknown. High-level scouts knew about him and projected him to be drafted high, but not ahead of a projected top-five player like Pierce.
As a young player fresh out of the University of Kansas, Pierce thought he would be selected over the likes of Nowitzki. That was not the case, which led to his confusion and frustration about what happened with his drop in the NBA Draft.
Ultimately, both players ended up being legends for their respective teams. Pierce did not know they would be icons, but after the Draft, he was frustrated because he thought Nowitzki was not that big of a name.
“I couldn’t believe it, I was a projected top-five pick. I thought I was going to Vancouver at number two. Two or three guys I’ve never even heard of. Truthfully, I never even heard of Dirk Nowitzki ’cause it wasn’t like he was on the college circuit. I followed the guys who were in college,” Pierce said on Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons in 2016.
“If you go back and look at the Draft, I remember saying like, ‘You know what, there’s gonna be nine other teams that’re gonna regret not picking. Because I knew how hard I worked, I knew I was gonna back what I say up, and I wasn’t scared of putting myself in the line. So I was like, I’m gonna make those nine teams regret.”
Pierce and Nowitzki became iconic superstars
The 1998 Draft had some big hitters like Antawn Jamison and Vince Carter, but Pierce and Nowitzki are the best players from the class. They not only cemented themselves as icons for their franchises, but they also led them to NBA championships as the Finals MVPs.
August 30, 2002: The United States defeats Germany, 104-87, on Day 2 of the FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis.
Paul Pierce had 26 PTS (5-10 3P) for Team USA and Dirk Nowitzki scored 34 PTS to lead Germany.
Michael Finley 21 PTS (4-8 3P)
Baron Davis 13 PTS (3-6 3P)/6 AST… pic.twitter.com/ZHi1ccxrtR
— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) August 30, 2024
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While Pierce might have had some resentment for Nowitzki, that would have faded away as they progressed. Dallas’ front office was right to trade for the 9th pick, as Nowitzki became the Mavericks’ greatest and most iconic player, mostly because of his Finals MVP-worthy performance in the 2011 NBA Finals and his signature turn-around fadeaway.
Pierce might not reach the same level as a top 10 player like Larry Bird, but he is also iconic, as he ended the Celtics’ 22-year title drought in 2008 as the Finals MVP. He might have left the team to join the Brooklyn Nets, but he is still fondly remembered as an iconic Celtic.