Pierce told Ainge to scrap IT's video: 'He had a shot to be honored'

Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge was forced to pick between Isaiah Thomas and Paul Pierce, and it was an easy choice.

Pierce wanted Feb. 11 all to himself, and didn't want to split any of the spotlight with Thomas, who was to have his video tribute shown before the Celtics played host to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Ainge tried to sell Pierce on a compromise, but The Truth declined on the basis of Thomas passing up the first tribute they planned in his January homecoming. Thomas was just coming off injury at the time, and he didn't want to make a hobbled return, especially without his family present.

Pierce says Thomas missed his chance and that's that.

"He had a shot to be honored," Pierce told ESPN's Jackie MacMullan and Chris Forsberg. "You came to Boston. Whether you are playing or not, you should have had your tribute then. I just don't see how, if someone is having a jersey retirement, they're going to be running other tributes for other players.

"Danny tried to sell me on it, but I told him, 'He had a shot, Danny, and he punked you on it. He pretty much dictated everything.' They let it happen because they felt sorry how (the trade to Cleveland) went down. It's guilt. That's what it is."

In the end, Ainge had to side with Pierce, who won a title while playing 15 seasons in Boston, which easily trumps anything Thomas did. It was Pierce's day so it was his call.

"We owe Paul a lot," Ainge said. "I feel indebted to him. The whole organization feels that way. We will have a great night for him. Argument over."

Coincidentally, Thomas informed the Celtics via Twitter that he didn't want his tribute to overlap with Pierce's jersey retirement shortly before ESPN released its report.