Paul Pierce calls out Wizards' culture, says it's time to “break it up”

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Paul Pierce gave an honest take about the Boston Celtics' struggles Tuesday, but he saved some harsher remarks for another one of his former clubs.

The retired NBA forward was asked on ESPN's "The Jump" about the Washington Wizards, who appear to be the epitome of dysfunction after star guard John Wall reportedly cursed out head coach Scott Brooks.

And Pierce didn't pull any punches.

"These guys have been together too long," Pierce said. " ... You have two franchise pieces (in Wall and Bradley Beal) who, it just seems like they have their on- and off-the-court issues.

"It's not working out in Washington. So, I think it's time to break it up. They haven't taken the necessary steps to advance to the Eastern Conference finals or the (NBA) Finals. This team is on a treadmill, and it's only going to get worse."

That's when Pierce's co-analyst, Amin Elhassan, chimed in.

"Wizards ain't the same since this man called game." 

Elhassan was referring to Pierce's famous game-winner for Washington in the second round of the 2015 NBA playoffs. The Wizards went on the lose that series, though, and have won just one playoff series in three seasons since despite the talents of Wall and Beal.

After a 6-11 start to the 2018-19 campaign, Pierce believes Washington officially is a lost cause.

"The players create the culture," Pierce said. "You have to have strong leaders in the locker room to create a certain culture. ... It's just not a great culture down there. So, they have to do something."

Those are strong words from a man who played with both Wall and Beal, but considering Markieff Morris' comments after Tuesday night's game (a win, by the way), The Truth may be right.

The Wizards reportedly are open to trading everybody on their roster -- including Wall and Beal -- so a roster blowup may be coming sooner than later.

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