Battie

BOSTON — Boston captain Paul Pierce and Orlando forward Tony Battie feel like they will be linked together forever. And it’s not just because they were former teammates. It’s because if it wasn’t for Battie, Pierce’s good friend, Pierce might not be alive today.

Battie remembers it like it was yesterday. On Sept. 25, 2000, Pierce, Battie, and Battie’s younger brother Derek went to the Buzz Club in Boston for a night of good times, but it quickly turned ugly.

Pierce was jumped by three men. He was stabbed 11 times and repeatedly punched, kicked, and he was hit over the head with a champagne bottle. He was carried by Battie and security personnel to Battie’s car after the attack, and Battie rushed him to the New England Medical Center. Nobody knew if Pierce was going to make it.

Pierce had lung surgery and pulled through. By the start of the 2000-01 season, he was recovered from his wounds. He remained with the Celtics through the good times and the bad, and last season he led Boston to its first NBA title in 22 years.

Battie isn’t surprised that Pierce went from his death bed, to winning the NBA championship.

“I said before, if you expect anyone to pull through something like that it’s [Pierce],” Battie said. “Ever since I’ve known him he’s been a tough guy. It doesn’t surprise me. I’m very proud and very happy for him. It was just meant to be for him. You couldn’t write it any better.”

“It was a bad night but I’m glad he came through and look where he is now,” Battie added.

Battie called Pierce over the summer to congratulate him on winning the NBA title, and the two were supposed to meet in Las Vegas to celebrate, but Battie couldn’t make it.

“I was happy for him,” Battie said. Pierce was named the MVP of the NBA Finals, and Battie believes that Pierce is finally getting the respect that he feels has long been overdue because now most people believe that Pierce is one of the top five players in the NBA.

“In my opinion, he hasn’t done anything differently then when I was here that he’s doing now,” Battie said. “Now he has a championship to go with it so that makes him more noticeable. He’s always been a hard working guy.”

roblee@projo.com