The controversy surrounding Isaiah Thomas' tribute video in Boston reached a new level this week.
The Celtics planned to show the video during player introductions when the Cavs next visit the Boston Celtics on February 11th, but that's the date of Paul Pierce's jersey retirement.
Pierce told Celtics GM Danny Ainge that he did not want Thomas' video shown when they officially retire his #34 jersey, and says the team only wants to appease IT3 because they feel sorry about how the trade went down.
Pierce's former teammate, Rajon Rondo, questioned why the team was giving Isaiah Thomas a video tribute at all.
Following the Pelicans' 116-113 overtime victory over the Celtics last night, Rondo didn't seem impressed with Isaiah's accomplishments during his three years in Boston.
"What has he done?" Rondo asked, per Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
"This is the Boston Celtics. This isn't the Phoenix Suns; no disrespect to any other organization, but you don’t hang conference titles. Do we hang going to the conference finals? What do we hang here?"
Additionally, two of Pierce's other former Celtics teammates, Kevin Garnett and Tony Allen, also showed support for #34.
Per ESPN,
"Everyone understood where I was coming from," Pierce said. "KG was like, 'Isaiah who? Hell no, you're damn right you're not sharing your night with him.
"I'm with Pierce, man," said Allen. "(Thomas) didn't put in more work than Paul. Anybody disagree? OK. Paul Pierce put in big work, man. Why would they honor (Thomas) on that same day, man?
The Celtics have since scrapped plans to show the Thomas tribute video on February 11th. Last night, Thomas tweeted that he doesn't want any special treatment on Pierce's night.