Legacy questions looming for Pierce

NBA. Greg Kite has won two world championships with the Celtics. Wayne Kreklow, David Thirdkill and Sly Williams have each been crowned once in Boston.

As of right now, though, Paul Pierce’s ring finger is feeling a draft.

Over the course of Celtics history, which is so carefully measured above Pierce’s head during every game at the Garden, Pierce is arguably the best player without a title. Even though there are a number of hangers-on who have clutched the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, Pierce hasn’t yet been able to lead his team all the way to that point.

Still, regardless of what happens over the course of the next week or two, he’s probably secured a spot in the rafters. There remains an open spot on the third banner of retired numbers just below Robert Parish’s “00” and Cedric Maxwell’s “31” that could soon be occupied by Pierce’s “34.”

That argument would be put to rest if the Celtics conquer the Lakers in the Finals, but his resume might already have enough credentials.

Keep in mind, there are only two Celtics with their numbers retired who never won a championship in Boston — Reggie Lewis and Ed Macauley, who went on to win a title with the St. Louis Hawks in 1958. If Pierce, who is in his 10th season, does earn that trophy, it would have taken him longer to do so than any of those with their numbers currently immortalized.

The Celtics are still playing, after all, because of Pierce’s 41-point effort in Game 7 against the Cavs, which could serve as the defining moment of his career, a necessary feat in an organization with so many to choose.

Plus, Pierce was the fastest player in team history to score 10,000 career points, doing it five games sooner than Larry Bird. He’s also the only Celtic to ever lead the NBA in total points, which he did six years ago, and Pierce is 5,000 points away from passing Bird for second on the C’s all-time list.

But while Pierce likely has one banner down, he knows he’s got the more important one to go.

“In order to be great, in order to be a legend, you have to win a championship,” Pierce said. “Those are the things I’ve aspired to do from day one playing basketball. Since I was a little kid when I made that commitment, I’ve always said I want to be great.”

Game 2 is Sunday night in Boston.