The Washington Wizards knew they were adding one of the NBA’s top veteran leaders when they brought Paul Pierce into the fold this offseason—but they probably didn’t expect that The Truth effect would go to work before training camp even began.

The D.C. ballclub met with the media Monday, a day before their camp officially kicked, and already the Wiz players were gushing over their new teammate.

“It’s a dream to play with a guy like Paul Pierce,” said center Marcin Gortat. “It’s an honor to play with this guy.”

Washington Wizards Media Day

Washington’s regular season opener is still a month away, but The Truth has already put his mark on his new team in voluntary workouts and group pickup games. Gortat revealed in his media session that Paul has filled a role almost like that of a player-coach, and the Wiz haven’t hesitated to follow his lead.

“Everybody is following him like he’s the head coach of this team,” Gortat said of Paul. “We came in, we played pickup games, the team that lost has to run suicides. He was the first guy that actually ran the suicide with the losers. He didn’t have to say anything, the whole team stood up too, and started running. It was huge.”

For others, the biggest impact brought by The Truth has been attitude. When Paul examined the Wizards upon signing with the club, he saw one major area that needed improvement. D.C. went just 22-19 at home last season—the worst home mark among any playoff team in either conference.

As Otto Porter—a second-year swingman out of Georgetown—relayed, No. 34 wants to see his squad create a true home-court advantage this season.

Washington Wizards Media Day

“Today I heard him say, “Hey, we got to protect home court this year. Anybody who come up here, they’re going to get beaten up.’ I was like, ‘That’s what I’m talking about.’ I hadn’t heard that in here. I’m about that,” Porter said. “That’s how it was at Georgetown. Protect home court, always. … That’s going to change.”

And even though he has yet to suit up in a single game for Washington, The Truth isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said, whether it is guiding a teammate or identifying a weakness that must be addressed.

“I’m a player that’s going to say what I feel,” Paul said. “If I’m thinking it and I feel like it’s something that needs to be said, I’ll say it. I’m not going to be a pushover kind of leader.”

Though he has addressed some concerns with the team, it has been mostly praise coming out of Paul’s mouth thus far.

He has expressed at length just how happy he is to be joining a skilled, young Washington team that is capable of challenging the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

“So why not us?” Pierce proclaimed. “And that’s what I try to bring to this ballclub and that’s what I try to tell them in the locker room. Why not us?”

Washington Wizards Media Day

Paul’s proclamations certainly haven’t fallen on deaf ears. In addition to Gortat and Porter, several other Wizards have been outwardly receptive of The Truth’s leadership—namely star guards John Wall and Bradley Beal.

“For us to be able to have him on this team, it’s a great look for us,” Beal said. “It just shows what we’re capable of doing. This is a young team on the rise, and he wanted to be a part of it.”

“Just being around a guy like that who knows how to win and knows certain situations, he can help us young fellas out as much as possible,” Wall said of Paul. “When you have 17 years and you win a championship, you can tell me whatever you want—I’m listening.”

While he is glad to come in and provide instant leadership and an injection of confidence to the D.C. club, No. 34 also knows his role within the squad.

Last season, played the fewest minutes in his 16-year career, so entering campaign No. 17, he’s more than willing to let Beal and Wall do their thing as the stars on the squad.

“You’ve got an opportunity to play with the best backcourt in basketball,” Pierce said. “Everything is going to go through these guys. They’re the engine that’s going to drive us. John and Bradley, they’re the engine. No questions asked. And we’re going to play through them, and as they continue to grow it’s going to help us grow as a team.”

NEXT UP

The Washington Wizards began their official training camp Tuesday, September 30th at the Verizon Center where they will hold workouts throughout the first week of camp. The kickoff their exhibition slate with a road trip to Chicago next Monday, October 6th. Their entire preseason schedule is as follows:

  • Oct. 6 at Chicago Bulls (United Center)
  • Oct. 8 at New Orleans Pelicans (Jacksonville, Fla.)
  • Oct. 10 at Charlotte Hornets (Greenville, S.C.)
  • Oct. 12 vs. Detroit Pistons (Verizon Center)
  • Oct. 15 vs. Maccabi Haifa (Verizon Center)
  • Oct. 17 vs. Charlotte Hornets (Verizon Center)
  • Oct. 20 vs. New Orleans Pelicans (Baltimore)
  • Oct. 22 at New York Knicks (Madison Square Garden)

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