Rivers Calls Harden A 'Mini' Pierce

[The Regime]

Celtics coach Doc Rivers complimented Thunder rookie guard James Harden prior to Wednesday night's game by comparing him to Paul Pierce.

 

Rivers said Harden, who is averaging 10.0 points and 3.2 rebounds, is like a "mini" version of the multi-time All-Star.

 

Both Harden and Pierce played high school basketball in Los Angeles.

 

"He's more similar to Pierce than anyone else I've seen in the league," Rivers told reporters.

 

Rivers added that Pierce would play on Wednesday night against Oklahoma City.

 

"He's gonna go," the coach said.

 

When asked if Pierce had recovered from a shoulder stringer, Rivers said: "I guess, because he's playing.

 

"You don't know what causes stingers. You gotta call coach [bill] Belichick, that's a football injury."

 

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