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Boston Celtics

BOSTON - JUNE 17: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with the NBA Finals MVP trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 2008 NBA Finals on June 17, 2008 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Celtics will retire Paul Pierce's number on Feb. 11

The Boston Celtics stand for the National Anthem before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during a preseason game on October 4, 2016 at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Isaiah Thomas won't sit for anthem, but supports those who do

Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward shows off his new Celtics uniform

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) stands on the court during a break in play in the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

4 ways the Celtics can use Gordon Hayward August 17, 2017 | 5:00 AM

Tanner Ainge, a Republican candidate for Congress in Utah's 3rd Congressional District, speaks during a kick-off event for his campaign in Orem, Utah, Thursday, June 22, 2017. The field vying to replace Jason Chaffetz has narrowed, but still includes an unusual three-way race on the Republican side between the delegate choice of former state lawmaker Chris Herrod and two signature-gathering candidates: Provo Mayor John Curtis and Tanner Ainge, a son of Boston Celtics general Danny Ainge. (Isaac Hale/The Daily Herald via AP)

Tanner Ainge loses primary election for Utah's U.S. House seat August 16, 2017 | 10:07 AM

Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens gestures from the sideline during the first half of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Thursday, May 25, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

An important part of Brad Stevens's game-day routine has nothing to do with basketball August 15, 2017 | 4:32 PM

Boston Celtics guards Marcus Smart (36) and Isaiah Thomas (4) during the second quarter of a second-round NBA playoff series basketball game in Boston, Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

NBA unveils full 2017-18 schedule August 14, 2017 | 6:50 PM

In championship battles, Boston's favorite foils are folks from St. Louis August 14, 2017 | 12:00 AM

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (11) lays the ball in as Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz (7) defends during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game Monday, July 3, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Celtics to play 76ers in regular-season game in London August 10, 2017 | 10:08 AM

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against the Boston Celtics in the second half during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Former Cavaliers executive implies that the Celtics are on Kyrie Irving's list August 8, 2017 | 7:42 AM

Isaiah Thomas

New England Patriots

Isaiah Thomas's son asked a funny question at Patriots training camp August 7, 2017 | 12:07 PM

Boston Red Sox's Mookie Betts, right, beats a pick-off tag by Cleveland Indians first baseman Carlos Santana as he dives back safely to first during the second inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Monday, July 31, 2017, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Mookie Betts stopped by Isaiah Thomas' basketball camp at B.U. August 6, 2017 | 3:40 PM

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 09: Jayson Tatum #11 of the Boston Celtics walks on the court during a 2017 Summer League game against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 9, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boston won 70-64. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Jayson Tatum says the Celtics were always going to pick him at No. 1 August 5, 2017 | 4:15 PM

Team World's Jaylen Brown of Boston Celtics, right, drives the ball away from Team Africa's Victor Oladipo of Indiana Pacers, during the NBA Africa Game between Team Africa and Team World, at the Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Watch Jaylen Brown tear it up during the NBA Africa game August 5, 2017 | 2:13 PM

BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Isaiah Thomas #4 of the Boston Celtics dribbles the ball in the first half against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Fans told Isaiah Thomas to check out these Boston spots for some 'good hoop' August 5, 2017 | 12:43 PM

New England Patriots quarterbacks Tom Brady (12), Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and Jacoby Brissett (7) run a drill during NFL football training camp, Friday, July 28, 2017, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Chat sports and media with Chad Finn at 2:30 August 4, 2017 | 11:35 AM

Isaiah Thomas Brinks trunk sandal

Danny Ainge asked Isaiah Thomas about his Brink's truck sandals August 2, 2017 | 10:56 AM

2/3/13: Boston, MA: FOR POSSIBLE USE WITH SHIRA SPRINGER STORY.........The Celtics 37 year old center Kevin Garnett (5) pounds his chest (as he does before every home game) and stares into the crowd just before tap off. The Boston Celtics hosted the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA regular season game at the TD Garden. topic:Clippers-Celtics (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

When he came to Boston, Kevin Garnett changed Celtic history July 31, 2017 | 8:00 PM

The Big Ticket meets Big Papi after being traded to Boston in 2007.

How sports media covered the Kevin Garnett trade July 31, 2017 | 4:15 PM

FILE - In this May 6, 2008, file photo, Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett gestures to the crowd just before tipoff in Game 1 of an NBA Eastern Conference semifinal basketball series against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Boston. A person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press that Kevin Garnett has informed the Minnesota Timberwolves that he will retire after 21 seasons. The two sides came to agreement on a buyout on Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, the person said. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

The Kevin Garnett trade almost never happened because of this contract hurdle July 31, 2017 | 12:27 PM

Boston Celtics' Marcus Smart (36) tries to drive past Cleveland Cavaliers' Iman Shumpert (4) during the first half of Game 4 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

People aren't thrilled with the hyped reaction to this Marcus Smart play July 31, 2017 | 12:00 PM

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 06: (L-R) Paul Pierce #34, Kendrick Perkins #43, Rajon Rondo #9 and Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics walk onto the court in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Two of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 6, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Relive the most-watched Celtics moments from the Big Three era July 31, 2017 | 5:00 AM

Kevin Garnett

Here's what Kevin Garnett said during his first Celtics press conference July 31, 2017 | 5:00 AM

Foxborough -07/29/2017- The Patriots held their third day of training camp at the practice field of Gillette Stadium. Celtics head coach Brad Stevens chats with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. John Tlumacki/Globe staff(sports)

New England Patriots

Brad Stevens made a guest appearance at Patriots training camp July 29, 2017 | 4:31 PM

Brandon Bass

It's been a difficult two years for Brandon Bass. So he's trying to reinvent himself July 29, 2017 | 12:00 AM

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: Jae Crowder #99 of the Boston Celtics shoots against JR Smith #5 of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first quarter during Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Jae Crowder is once again responding to his critics on Twitter July 26, 2017 | 4:27 PM

AS Roma's Marco Tumminello celebrates a goal against the Tottenham Hotspur during the 2017 International Champions Cup on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, in Harrison, N.J. (Adam Hunger/AP Images for International Champions Cup)

Isaiah Thomas had a funny response to AS Roma players snooping around his locker July 26, 2017 | 3:39 PM

Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas celebrates with fans after defeating the Washington Wizards 129-119 in a second-round NBA playoff series basketball game in Boston, Tuesday, May 2, 2017. Thomas scored 53 in the overtime win, taking a 2-0 lead in the series. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas will not need hip surgery July 26, 2017 | 11:41 AM

Gordon Hayward

Gordon Hayward still hasn't fully warmed up to Tom Brady July 26, 2017 | 6:08 AM

New Celtics player Gordon Hayward his hair cut and beard trimmed by at Boston Barber and Tattoo Company in the North End earlier this month.

During his first Boston experience, Gordon Hayward says he could feel the city's 'intensity' July 24, 2017 | 7:39 PM

Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Gordon Hayward recalls 4 difficult days of free agency July 24, 2017 | 7:29 PM

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2017, file photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving talks with a teammate in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks in Cleveland. Two people familiar with the situation says All-Star guard Kyrie Irving has asked the Cavaliers to trade him. Irving made the request last week to owner Dan Gilbert, said the persons who spoke Friday, July 21, 2017, to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team is not commenting on the star’s demands. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak, File)

Should the Celtics try to acquire Kyrie Irving? July 24, 2017 | 12:25 PM

5-28-12: Miami, FL: With the outcome of the game no longer in question, Celtics starters (left to right) Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen watched the end of the game from a sad looking bench. The Boston Celtics visited the Miami Heat for Game One of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals playoffs at American Airlines Arena. (Globe Staff Photo/Jim Davis) section: sports topic: Celtics-Heat

Ray Allen deleted a comment telling Celtics fans to 'get over it' July 24, 2017 | 11:20 AM