BOSTON — The night before his No. 34 heads to the rafters at TD Garden, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce detailed how the retired jersey numbers and banners he’ll soon mingle with inspired him during his 15 seasons in Boston.

The Celtics toasted Pierce on Saturday night at the Four Seasons hotel in Boston’s Back Bay. On the night Robert Parish declared Pierce the “greatest offensive Celtic ever,” Pierce tried to wrap his head around simply joining legends such as Bill Russell, Larry Bird and John Havlicek whose numbers hang above the Garden floor.

“Every day I walk into the practice facility and see those numbers. Every day in the arena, you see these numbers. That was inspirational,” Pierce said. “Those numbers hanging up there, those banners, it was like, ‘One day, I want to be up there.’ I want to be with this franchise long enough because when you look at the numbers and see the accomplishments they made, that was an example for me to try to follow.

“That was the burning desire. Everyday. It’s like the pressure. It’s like raining everyday on you. You come up here, well, how do you live up these guys? How do you live up to [Kevin] McHale, Bird, Parish? … It’s great just to have that hanging over your head, something you’re trying to strive for. Just some legendary names in there, and for me to be mentioned and sitting on the side of those guys is just a tremendous honor.”

While Pierce will eventually have a banner roommate in fellow 2008 title member Kevin Garnett, he wondered out loud if, in a modern NBA in which players change teams often, it might be a while before they have additional company. Pierce hopes the next generation of Celtics is inspired looking at his number up there.

“I just want the younger players to understand that you wear this uniform, not for the name on the back, but it’s all about Celtics pride,” Pierce said. “You hear that so much in this city, and lot of people don’t know what that is. It’s more than just how you are just a player. It’s how you carry yourself. It’s the things you do off the court. It’s how you represent the Celtic family, and these guys up there before you. I’m thankful that I was able to do that. It goes further than basketball, and I want the young generation to understand that.”

“I just think that Paul was more creative. He was a better scorer than Larry [Bird] and John Havlicek. I think that Larry and John Havlicek and Paul were the best offensive players that the Celtics ever had. I think Paul tops that list in my opinion.”

Robert Parish on calling Paul Pierce the ‘greatest offensive Celtic ever’

Pierce ranks No. 2 all-time among Boston’s scoring leaders, finishing with 24,021 points over 15 seasons with the Celtics. He is sandwiched between Havlicek (26,395) and Bird (21,791). Parish, who played alongside Bird, boldly dubbed Pierce the best offensive player in team history. it will come as sacrilege to some.

“I think [Pierce] was the greatest offensive Celtic ever, in my opinion,” Parish said. “I just think that Paul was more creative. He was a better scorer than Larry and John Havlicek. I think that Larry and John Havlicek and Paul were the best offensive players that the Celtics ever had. I think Paul tops that list in my opinion.”

Brian Scalabrine, a teammate of Pierce on Boston’s 2008 title team, offered high praise for Pierce as well.

“I believe that he is the most underrated player to ever play the game,” Scalabrine said. “I just feel that, outside of Boston, he didn’t get the credit that he deserved as a great player. You watch him win MVP of the Finals. It’s always the big games that he steps up.”

Pierce, dabbing sweat from his brow while joking he was already overwhelmed as he met with reporters before the night’s festivities, admitted he’d likely be overcome by emotions on Sunday. He said he hadn’t penned a speech but had a list of people he wanted to thank during the ceremony after Boston hosts Cleveland on Sunday afternoon.

Pierce noted how just raising the 2008 title banner reduced him to tears during his playing days. He’s expecting even more emotions when surrounded by those who meant most to him during his playing career.

In fact, Pierce got particularly deep while reflecting on that 2008 title and how it cemented his NBA legacy.

“It’s very important because you sacrifice so much of your time in this game,” he said. “I go home every summer, and you have people who [you] lose to death. You have people who age. You miss birthdays. You miss so much because of this dedication that I put into this sport — all for me, myself, to be a winner. And it’s like you miss out on so many things.

“And I think that’s the reason I cried so much [raising the 2008 banner] because of the sacrifices I was able to make and give to the game of basketball. But people don’t understand you lose out on so many other aspects of life. You know, missing my kids first time ever walking, first time saying their first word. You miss so much of just life in general. But that’s what I put into the game, that’s what I was able to sacrifice. And it’s tough, man. It’s tough.

“People don’t know that you miss out on life, man, just for one thing. It’s incredible. Just for one thing. Just to be one of the best. You don’t realize it until right now I look back on it. And it’s like, man, you did all this for one thing because you cared so much. And that’s just who I was. I cared so much about wanting to be a winner and wanting to raise a banner and wanting to be a champion. I don’t know if it’s all worth it in the end, but it surely feels like it is worth it.”

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Parish: Pierce 'greatest offensive Celtic ever'
Parish: Pierce 'greatest offensive Celtic ever'
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Source: ESPN SPORTS

The Chicago Cubs and free-agent ace pitcher Yu Darvish have agreed to a six-year, $126 million deal, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

The deal, which includes an opt-out clause and no-trade protection, contains escalators that could push the value as high as $150 million over the life of the contract, a source confirmed to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.

The agreement and details of the deal were first reported Saturday by The Athletic.

Darvish had been one of the most coveted pitchers in this year’s free-agent market and also reportedly received a substantial offer last month from Chicago’s division rival, the Milwaukee Brewers. The Japanese right-hander also had been linked to the Rangers, Dodgers, Yankees, Twins and Astros this offseason.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, it is the fourth free agent contract in excess of $100 million to be given by the Cubs, which ranks second all-time behind the Yankees (6).

Darvish has averaged 11 strikeouts per nine innings over his career, which is the highest ratio in MLB history for pitchers with more than 100 career starts — ranking just ahead of Randy Johnson and Chris Sale, who are tied for second at 10.6.

The deal comes less than a week before the Cubs are scheduled to begin spring training. The 31-year-old Darvish, a four-time All-Star selection, is expected to take the spot of Jake Arrieta, a free agent, in a Cubs rotation that is projected to include Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, Jose Quintana and Tyler Chatwood.

Cubs catcher Willson Contreras stamped his approval of the deal on Twitter.

Holly cow another aggressive move by @Cubs
Can’t wait to catch @faridyu Welcome to Chicago Cubs 🙌

— Willson Contreras (@WContreras40) February 10, 2018

The Cubs have reached the NL Championship Series in each of the last three years. In 2016, they won their first World Series crown since 1908.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Darvish has a 2.42 ERA in eight career starts against the National League Central, including the postseason. He has never allowed more than three earned runs against an NL Central opponent.

Darvish was acquired by the Dodgers from Texas for three prospects just before last year’s trade deadline, supposedly the final piece needed to return a championship to baseball’s biggest-spending team.

But the 6-foot-5 Darvish only managed four outs in losing Game 7 to the Astros, becoming the second pitcher in World Series history with less than two innings pitched in two starts.

In 31 combined starts last season, he was 10-12 with a 3.86 ERA.

Darvish signed with Texas before the 2012 season and missed all of 2015 after elbow surgery. He has a career record of 56-42 with a 3.42 ERA and 1,021 strikeouts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Source: Cubs land Darvish for 6M deal
Source: Cubs land Darvish for 6M deal
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Source: ESPN SPORTS

The New York Giants were denied permission to interview and hire Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski as their offensive coordinator, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Stefanski was recently passed over for the Vikings offensive coordinator job. The Giants and their new coach, Pat Shurmur, who was the offensive coordinator in Minnesota before leaving for New York, had been waiting for several weeks to see how things panned out with Stefanski and the Vikings. It didn’t turn out in their favor.

Stefanski and Shurmur were known to have a strong working relationship, but the Vikings decided to deny that reunion, a somewhat surprising outcome given Shurmur’s relationship with the organization and Stefanski losing out to former Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo for the OC position. The Giants now remain without an offensive coordinator. Some possible candidates that have been mentioned in recent weeks are former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley, who also has a previous working relationship with Shurmur.

The Eagles could also deny the Giants permission to speak with Staley. He remains under contract with Philadelphia, according to a source.

The Eagles recently lost their quarterbacks coach, and their offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, is in the running for the Indianapolis Colts head-coaching job.

The offensive coordinator job with the Giants does not include playcalling duties. Shurmur intends to call plays in New York, much as he did for most of the past two seasons in Minnesota.

Stefanski, 35, would have had playcalling duties as the Vikings’ offensive coordinator. Instead, he will remain a part of Mike Zimmer’s coaching staff for at least one more year as they decide how to proceed at the quarterback position.

Shurmur and Stefanski helped the Vikings get the most out of backup Case Keenum this past season. Keenum, an impending free agent, threw 22 touchdown passes and seven interceptions after taking over as the starter for Sam Bradford.

He would have had increased responsibility with the Giants, most notably putting together the weekly offensive game plans.

Stefanski, the son of Memphis Grizzlies executive vice president Ed Stefanski, was believed to be Shurmur’s top choice.

Shurmur does have most of his staff together with the Giants. Two holes remain at offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

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Source: Giants denied Vikes QB coach for OC
Source: Giants denied Vikes QB coach for OC
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Source: ESPN SPORTS

ORLANDO — In the wake of Carlos Cordeiro’s election as U.S. Soccer Federation president, Hope Solo has said she is “very disappointed” in the Athletes Council that helped propel him to victory, adding that the group failed many of its constituents in America.

Cordeiro survived an election with seven other candidates and three ballots to finally accumulate 68.6 percent of the vote in the final round.

The Athletes Council, which comprised 20 percent of the overall vote, was instrumental in getting Cordeiro elected, lining up as a bloc to give him a critical boost of early momentum that allowed him to be the top vote-getter in each round.

Solo, a candidate who was advocating change and who cast Cordeiro as an establishment figure, made her dissatisfaction with the Athletes Council’s decision clear.

But she said after the election: “I’m not surprised because [the Athletes Council], under a lot of pressure, and I’ve seen athletes time and time and time again crack under pressure, crack under fear, start to behave in a way that is very much a group thinking mindset.

“And right now in this day and age, we need individuals, we need leaders that know how to unite people, but we still have to remember to think for ourselves as individuals.

“And with the bloc vote from the Athletes Council, it was very disheartening because they represent different people, different cultures, different strengths, different weaknesses. And they don’t all have to think alike.”

Solo also implied that outside pressures in the form of monetary considerations unduly influenced the group’s thinking.

“The Athletes Council, they were under extreme pressure from the Federation, and change is very difficult for people,” she said.

“They are the beneficiaries of many opportunities that Soccer United Marketing as well as the Federation gives them with appearances, and many of them make money doing these appearances.

“So of course it’s very difficult. You have someone like Carlos Bocanegra who probably will be on the World Cup organizing committee. They don’t want change. But they have to realize that they represent all athletes of America, ages six all the way up to 60 and above. They represent everybody, and what they did is they failed many of us.”

The implication that not everything was above board drew a fierce defense from Athletes Council member Stuart Holden.

“I take a massive offense that someone would question our integrity,” Holden said. “In fact, in speaking to all the members in the different groups around the room, everybody came up to me and said they were proud of the Athletes Council and how they conducted this from the beginning, from our questionnaires, from our transparency, to conversations that we had with candidates, to members.

“That’s one thing I’m incredibly proud of, the way and the process that we have gone about this from conference calls. We just sat in the room right now and said ‘if we can maintain this level of engagement going forward the sport is going to be in a better place.’ I’ve been on the Athletes Council for seven years, and I think you heard that around the room tonight.”

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Solo: Athletes Council 'failed' in Cordeiro vote
Solo: Athletes Council 'failed' in Cordeiro vote
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Source: ESPN SPORTS

DALLAS — Shocked that the Cleveland Cavaliers traded him after just 15 games, Isaiah Thomas is ready for a “fresh start” with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Thomas and Channing Frye, who were traded to the Lakers for Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr., will come off the bench in their Lakers debut against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

Thomas said he wants to be a starter, but doesn’t want to disrupt the Lakers’ current momentum as they’ve won 12 of their past 16 games. He had dinner with head coach Luke Walton in Dallas on Friday night.

“This is the best they have been playing,” Thomas said. “I don’t want to mess anything up. And I told [Walton] that. Whatever he needs me to do, I am willing to do that.

“Yes, I would love to be a starter. I feel like I deserve that and earned that. But at the same time, it’s a new chapter for me. I am here to help this team, help these young guys, continue to be professional, continue to work hard and continue to gel together.”

Walton said he’s keeping his options open about Thomas’ role moving forward.

“Isaiah, he is one of the best point guards in our league,” Walton said. “And I am quite aware of that. He’s been with the team for 12 hours now. We are going to get him playing and get him used to what we do and I told him that for us, it doesn’t matter who starts and who doesn’t. We’re a group that different groups finish the game all the time for us.”

Thomas, who averaged 14.7 points and 4.5 assists in his first 15 games back from a hip injury with Cleveland, said he was “shocked” at being traded Thursday.

“It was a surprise, but at the same time, I am happy to have a new start,” Thomas said. “I am happy to be here with the Lakers, happy to be with a young team that is exciting, that likes to get up and down. That’s my style of play. I am here to help in any way possible. It’s a fresh start for me. I am excited.”

“It kind of reminds me of the same situation when I got traded to Boston: It was a young team that was thinking rebuild, but we had some different thoughts than that and we made a push to the playoffs. That is my job, to come to this team and bring that spirit, that fire, that killer’s mentality and just understand that we can take advantage of this opportunity that we have [the rest of] the season. It’s about winning and it is about winning right now.”

With Lonzo Ball out with a sprained MCL, Brandon Ingram has flourished at point guard, averaging 15.9 points, 3.7 assists and 5.3 rebounds while leading the Lakers to four consecutive victories.

“I am not too worried about [what the role will be],” Thomas said. “Basketball things always work itself out, if you are all in it for the team and control what you can. And that is what I am going to do. I am going to bring scoring and playmaking to this team and do what I can to help.”

When Ball returns from his injury, Walton could start Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Ingram, Julius Randle and Brook Lopez.

“[Thomas] wants to start, of course he does,” Walton added. “Everybody wants to start. But he was absolutely great when we were at dinner last night. I expect him to really help our team out, and I expect him to be a positive influence on our team and help us win ballgames. …

“We are going to reward guys that are playing hard, playing the right way, that are going to help us, in our opinion, give us the best chance of winning ballgames.”

Thomas did not want to reflect on his short time with the Cavaliers and what went wrong in Cleveland. Frye said the pieces just didn’t fit, as evidenced by Cleveland adding four new players — Rodney Hood, George Hill, Clarkson and Nance Jr. — at the trade deadline.

“I think it just wasn’t working,” Frye said. “I don’t think it was a chemistry off the court thing because I went and talked to those guys all the time. I just think on the court, there just wasn’t enough give and take. I don’t think we were built to sacrifice for each other. I think a lot of guys had success in different systems. There wasn’t enough time for them to adjust to doing it a certain way and that happens.”

While Thomas is making his way back from a hip injury, Frye says the point guard will return to the form that had him averaging 28.9 points and 5.9 assists last year. Both players are in the final year of their contract.

“I’ll be honest, he’s gonna be fine,” Frye said of Thomas. “… I think everyone makes a big deal out of it because it’s Isaiah, but Kyle [Korver] wasn’t having a great year. I wasn’t having a great year. Jae [Crowder] wasn’t having a great year. Dwyane Wade. You gotta put all these different personalities and groups together, it sometimes just doesn’t work out.

“There’s nothing [wrong] with him. You’re gonna see. He’s gonna ball. How many games do we have left? You’re gonna see Isaiah start to become the old Isaiah, especially with a faster pace. Especially the way the ball moves and pops here. I think this is a better system for him.”

Lakers president Magic Johnson said he wants to see Thomas mentor Ball and take the rookie under his wing.

“I mean, that’s fine,” Thomas said. “I have been in the league six more years than he has. Obviously, I am going to help him out. We are part of the same team. He’s a special young player, and he is going to be an incredible talent in this league for years to come.

“My job is to help where I can. I am still in my prime. So it is not like I am taking a backseat to anybody. I am here to be who I am and here to make a difference on this team and I am excited about the opportunity.”

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Thomas 'shocked' at trade, set to fire up Lakers
Thomas 'shocked' at trade, set to fire up Lakers
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Source: ESPN SPORTS