

Paul Pierce wonders if John Wall has the desire to be great. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

CLEVELAND – In an interview published on ESPN.com earlier this week, Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce, keeping true to his nickname, was brutally truthful on a variety of topics, allowing for a rare moment in an athlete’s unfiltered mind.

The 17-year veteran told Jackie MacMullan that his season with the Brooklyn Nets was “horrible.” He criticized Nets point guard Deron Williams’s determination and swingman Joe Johnson’s leadership. He revealed he hasn’t talked to Ray Allen since Allen left the Boston Celtics for the Miami Heat. He determined that the Toronto Raptors, the Wizards’ first-round opponent, didn’t have the “It” factor and wondered how many championships LeBron James would have won if their primes paralleled.

Pierce also made time to talk about three current teammates — John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter Jr. Pierce said he told Beal and Wall: ‘‘You’ve got to make up your mind. Do you want to be good, or do you want to be great?” He wondered why young players needed to take practices off to rest, showing his age by comparing the difference with his generation of players.

[Highlights of Paul Piece’s interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan]

Wall had read the story by Wednesday evening and didn’t have a problem with Pierce’s comments.

“I think it was great. It is. It’s a great point,” Wall said before the Wizards’ loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the regular season finale. “I’m the type of guy, you know, I don’t like to sit out of anything, practice or games, but he also told me I’m the key to how far this team goes and I tried to do my best this season of trying to stay healthy and play as many games as I can.

“I’m the type of guy that hates to get out of practice. I like to compete in everything I do. This is what I do. This is my job. But I had to do that to get through most of the season. But I definitely want to be great. I definitely pick his brain about certain things I’ve been doing all season because he knows what it takes. He’s in a position where I want to be: a Hall of Famer, winning a championship, and those types of things.”

Pierce has been complimentary of Beal and Wall since he arrived in Washington. He insists they are the major reason why he signed with the Wizards.

“I haven’t talked to him since then but we’ll probably talk about it,” Wall said. “We always talk. Me and Paul talk a lot throughout practice, games, things like that.”

Pierce also spoke highly of Porter, his backup, and figured Porter just needs to play angry more often. He suggested punching Porter to ignite his rage. Wall laughed when Pierce’s idea was brought up.

“I don’t know, man,” Wall said. “I might take Otto to the ‘hood. Give him a couple bruises.”

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