“I feel like it's our duty”- Paul Pierce explains why it’s important for legends to go back and connect with modern-day superstars

Over the past couple of decades, there has been increased hostility between older generations of retired NBA legends and modern-day star players. Most of this is attributed to older stars feeling like they played in a tougher era and deserve more credit for their accomplishments.

Countless NBA legends from Shaquille O’Neal to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have been known to be particularly harsh on modern players. However, according to Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce, retired legends should be trying to reach out and connect with today’s stars.

Pierce spoke in-depth about the importance of positive relationships between past and present stars during a recent appearance on the “All The Smoke" podcast:

“I think being that I was on the Celtics so long … I feel like it’s my duty to come back and give the game to the YGs,” Pierce said.

“Because when I was there, I was constantly seeing Bill Russell and Jo Jo White, and Robert Parish would come to the games. There would be times when I’d go to dinner with them and … I just feel like it’s our duty to come back and just interact with the young guys.

“Because they want us there. They want us to be present. They feel a certain sense of energy because (Boston’s) a traditional franchise where players are up in the rafters. We gotta be the next generation to pass it down to the young guys. And we don’t see that enough."

The conversation starts at the 6:26 mark below:

Paul Pierce on his recent trip to Boston to support Celtics players

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce and Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum

During his interview, Paul Pierce also highlighted his experience during his recent trip to Boston with his former teammate Kevin Garnett. This comes as the two Celtics legends stopped by to catch up with the Celtics’ core players, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.

Pierce explained how excited the Celtics players were to see him and Garnett:

“To interact with Jayson, Marcus, and Jaylen, it was refreshing just to hear their perspective and what they thought of us.

“Because you don’t know until you go there and you holler at them. It was just like, ‘Man, thanks for coming around OGs, we love when y’all are around. Come to practice, come to the games, that just shows us y’all love.’ I’ve been back, but KG didn’t understand that part of it and now he’s like, ‘Man, I’m glad I came back, man. We gotta start coming back more.'"

Pierce added that even if retired legends don’t have close relationships with modern players, just showing up and making their presence felt makes an impact:

“Even if we don’t interact with them that day, just being at practice, being seen, being in the building, that means a lot to them. So it was good to just get that feel from them, and bridge the gap between the OGs and the YGs."