LOS ANGELES – Paul Pierce will make at least one attempt with every rookie.
He’ll speak to them and give a couple tips. But to get to the point he is now with second-round pick Diamond Stone – working with the rookie every morning, going through 1-on-1 drills with the rookie before practice, offering tips and lifting with the rookie – it takes a two-way street.
“I only stay with the ones who want to listen,” Pierce said. “I don’t waste my time if you don’t want to listen or you don’t want to get to practice and work and be there early.”
Pierce said he’ll try once – twice, at most – and if the rookie doesn’t want to heed the advice, he won’t waste his time. He’s seen too many young talents enter and leave the league because they weren’t willing to work.
“But if I find a rookie who’s willing to listen, willing to work, I’m going to stick with you,” Pierce said.
He sees that “off the jump” with Stone, who’s thrilled to have that kind of help.
“Working with a guy with 26,000 points and learning every little detail about footwork and shot fakes and everything, it helps my game,” Stone said.
The duo began doing their pre-practice routine together last week, when Pierce started coming in early in the morning just to lift and shoot with Stone. Before Sunday’s practice, Pierce was showing the 19-year-old rookie the footwork he uses and what moves to use to get open.
He said before working with him, he didn’t know Stone could shoot as well he does and how well he uses both hands. When Pierce is showing his moves, Stone’s paying attention. Stone said it’s amazing how Pierce can get any shot he wants.
“You know what shot he’s going to take, but you still can’t stop it,” Stone said. “I’ve just tried to contest it the best I can.”
And Pierce appreciates that Stone won’t back down. That’s part of the reason he continues to work off to the side with Stone every morning, trying to impart some wisdom.
“I’m telling him, like, ‘Look man, it was hard making it, but the hard part is staying,’” Pierce said. “I’ve seen a lot of guys come and go. I’m just trying to get his habits together now as a young player.
“A lot of these rookies come in, they get discouraged, they don’t play a lot, then their work ethic goes out the window and the next thing you know they’re out the league. So, I’m just trying to encourage him, just keep working hard. His day’s going to come.”
That’s a belief held by many who’ve seen how talented the 19-year-old is.
“I think the guys have taken a big liking to Diamond, because he can play,” said head coach Doc Rivers. “He can really play. He’s young, really young, and it’s going to take time, but he’s got a chance to be a really good NBA player.”
Rivers said Pierce is the perfect mentor for any young player, but veterans only embrace that role if they’re teaching a player who listens. Players gravitate to guys they like.
“And the next thing you know,” Rivers said, “you’re on the court working with them every single day.”
That’s where Pierce, who enters his 19th and final season in the league, finds himself with Stone, who starts this season at just 19 years old. Pierce is more than twice Stone’s age, and with that experience, he’s seen plenty of young draft picks come to the NBA and leave quicker than they expected.
He wants to teach Stone what it’ll take to avoid the latter.
“Like I said, he got here,” Pierce said. “Now, the hard part is staying.” …