Let’s be real, basketball and hip-hop have been flirting since before Shaq dropped “Biological Didn’t Bother.” The connection between the two worlds runs so deep that half the league thinks they are rappers, and half the rappers think they could easily go pro! So when Paul Pierce gets caught in Rubi Rose’s comment section, it’s not even surprising. At this point, it’s basically an NBA tradition… Didn’t understand? Not to worry, we have you covered.
So, there is something that makes Paul Pierce’s case interesting. While everyone is distracted by his modern-day IG thirst, they are missing the real story, the real deal. Has the Hall of Famer been thinking about someone else? One that goes way back to the Y2K.
Since retiring, Paul Pierce has been all about “The Truth”, be it roasting peers on KG Certified or going public with his feelings. Through everything, one confession has remained consistent: his lifelong admiration for a certain Bronx-born icon.
Recently, Pierce FINALLY came clean.
“Yeah, my celebrity crush was probably Jennifer Lopez,” Pierce recalled her “pink dress in the ‘I’m Real’ video,” a core memory for ‘90s kids. This wasn’t just a crush; it was a cultural moment (Latina stardom meeting NBA fandom). But what did he have to say next?
“Yeah, yeah, but no, no I ain’t been in her DMs though,” telling us that JLo was just a teenage daydream. That question was backed up by another one, his current celebrity crush… to which Pierce referenced a 2023 viral comment on Rubi Rose’s picture on X.
Back in the day, Paul had commented, “My crush,” and surprisingly, Rose played along, replying, “Text me then 4046899173 ”
A post shared by The Truth After Dark With Paul & Azar (@thetruthafterdark)
Well, speaking about NBA fanboys of celebrities, Pierce isn’t alone.
Jimmy Butler was rumored to be dating Shakira after the two were spotted together multiple times, but he later shut it down, calling it just a casual hangout. Meanwhile, Jalen Duren openly admitted to having a crush on the late singer Aaliyah. In a similar lighthearted moment, Scotty Pippen Jr. was asked about his celebrity crush, and he responded with a quick “Maybe Beyoncé?”.
These moments keep fans speculating which NBA star might be next to spark dating rumors with a global superstar. Speaking of Pierce again, the Celtics legend has kept himself busy since retiring, not just with celebrity crushes but a lot more.
What’s Paul Pierce been up to these days? A recent Shaq viral TV moment brings back a funny 2008 memory
While some players choose to go off the radar, it’s not the case with Paul Pierce. He doesn’t mind being in the spotlight every now and then. He co-hosts KG Certified with Kevin Garnett, delivering unfiltered NBA takes. His 2021 ESPN departure was after an Instagram Live controversy made headlines, but he has rebounded as a viral personality who shares humor and hard truth with his audience.
The media is not all where he’s present. He stays connected to the basketball community through mentorship and working with players like Jayson Tatum. He’s also a poker enthusiast and competes in high-stakes tournaments. His 2023 All-In podcast appearance revealed that his competitive streak extends beyond the hardwood. None of this beats one moment, though.
One of the most hilarious moments in Pierce’s career is remembered to this day. ‘The Wheelchair Game!’ The hoopster was wheeled off the hardwood in Game 1 of their Lakers series in 2008 only to return on his feet, like nothing ever happened. To this day, his fans speculate that he needed to use the bathroom or he ‘might’ve done himself’ amidst the constant pacing up and down the court.
Paul Pierce, though, has firmly denied every single rumor. But why are we talking about this now…
So, Shaq recently had a similar moment!
Big Diesel had to jog off the NBA on TNT set during the Clippers-Nuggets game coverage. “Go ahead, keep talking…” he said as he paced off the set… The viral panel then spent the next five minutes (or more) talking about the olive oil that upset Shaq’s stomach!
You’ve got to give it to these analysts who always keep the mood light in the NBA world, amid the tense playoff month. Whether analyzing games or stirring debates, “The Truth After Dark” is Paul Pierce’s way of staying connected with the world. Shaq has his TV contract and his personal podcast, too. Retirement didn’t affect their edge at all; it just gave them a microphone.
The post Paul Pierce’s Rubi Rose Obsession Takes Backseat as Childhood Celebrity Crush Steals the Spotlight appeared first on EssentiallySports.
