Larry Bird may be considered the most-prolific Celtics scorer of all time, but John Havlicek owns the team’s all-time scoring record. And Thomas is chasing Havlicek’s franchise record of 40 consecutive games with at least 20 points. With 34 points in Thursday night’s win in Portland , Thomas upped his streak of consecutive games with at least 20 points to 37.

In a way, Havlicek’s franchise records will never be broken because the rules are dramatically different. He became the Celtics’ all-time leading scorer (26,395) without the services of a 3-point shot. Havlicek scored his points the old-fashioned way, averaging at least 20 points in eight consecutive seasons.


Paul Pierce, who was honored last Sunday in his final regular-season game at TD Garden, is second on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list with 24,021 points. The more Thomas thrives and the more Pierce’s accomplishments are examined, the more impressive Havlicek’s numbers become in an era when the game was more physical and not as tightly officiated.

Havlicek, however, has nothing but compliments for Pierce and Thomas.

“Paul was a great pro for a number of years, and he was disappointed when he got drafted 10th [in 1998],” the 76-year-old Havlicek said last week. “The Celtics have to be happy about that because he led them to a championship and went through some tough years but remained loyal to the Celtics, even though he is with the Clippers now.”

Isaiah Thomas was guarding Paul Pierce before his final shot at TD Garden. Charles Krupa/AP

During last Sunday’s win over the Clippers, Pierce’s career was celebrated, including several ovations from the Garden crowd. Pierce was brought to tears.

“The [fans] take a lot after Red Auerbach because Red Auerbach never made any trades unless it was absolutely necessary. He was loyal to his players,” said Havlicek. “I think the fans become loyal to his players, too, because they weren’t moving around like they do today, but everyone who plays in Boston has a soft spot in their heart.”


Pierce reached his 24,000-point mark with the Celtics in part by hitting 1,823 3-point shots. Some NBA scoring records are being shattered because of the emphasis on the 3-point shot. For example, Bird finished his career with 649 3-pointers, and 77 active players have more than 649 3-pointers, including Wilson Chandler, Kyrie Irving, and Jodie Meeks.

So, the emphasis on the 3-point shot puts Havlicek’s scoring prowess into perspective.

“I never really thought about records or anything like that, the only thing I thought about were championships,” Havlicek said. “So be it that it remains a record because I wasn’t trying to break any records. I was just trying to be a person who could score when needed to. I probably ended up taking more shots than anyone.

“But I think the way I played and the way Paul played was quite different because he was a great one-on-one player and I was a player who didn’t want the ball to the point where I was breaking down a defensive player. I usually got it on the run or somehow moving without the ball. That allowed me to gain an advantage because a lot of people didn’t like to guard me because I was always in motion. I couldn’t beat anyone one-on-one.”

Havlicek, who lives in Florida, doesn’t get a chance to catch the Celtics on television often, but he has noticed the exploits of Thomas, who is threatening Bird’s franchise record for scoring average in a season (29.9, set in 1987-88). Entering Saturday night’s game against the Jazz, Thomas was averaging 29.9 this season.


“I think the thing that separates [Thomas] from other players is his quickness,” Havlicek said. “Red Auerbach always said it’s not how fast you are, it’s how quick you are. He certainly is quick with the ball and he’s also low to the ground and gets to places where other people can’t because of their size. I think he’s been an absolute delight to watch.

“I know that’s going to continue to score because he has that ability to avoid the tall trees, you might say. He certainly knows all the angles around the basket. That’s something that Sam Jones did probably better than anyone. [Thomas] is a special player, no question about it.”

John Havlicek averaged 20.8 points per game over 16 seasons in Boston. The Boston Globe/File 1971

Havlicek enjoys today’s NBA game, but he has one issue.

“The only thing I don’t like is they come down on fast breaks and shoot 3-pointers,” he said. “No one wants to go inside, and I think that hurts a lot of teams. That’s the way of the NBA today, is to shoot the three. Sometimes I think it hurts the game.”

Havlicek said he does not feel underappreciated, although many of his accomplishments have been overlooked. He led the Celtics to NBA titles in 1974 and 1976, and yet those title teams tend to be overlooked in favor of the championships team of the 1960s, ’80s, or even 2008.


“I feel very good about [my career] and I really didn’t have a lot of injuries that kept me out of the lineup for a long time,” he said. “The length of stay that you play in Boston allows people to understand and appreciate you because you’ve been loyal to the team and they’ve been loyal fans. When I retired, I said I wanted to give something back to the community, and I ended up being a person that developed for the Genesis charity and helped raise $20 million. That was something I am proud of.”

Havlicek said he is rooting for Thomas to break his franchise record for consecutive 20-point games.

“I never considered it a record or thought about it until someone came up with it, and more power to him if he breaks the record,” Havlicek said. “It’s a different era, a different game because of the 3-point shot. But I’ll take my 2-pointers and be happy with it.”

SPEAKING THE TRUTH

Pierce offers up some thoughts

Paul Pierce played just more than 5 minutes and scored 3 points in his final Garden appearance. Jim Davis/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

Buried deep on the Clippers’ bench, last Sunday perhaps marked the last meaningful minutes in Paul Pierce’s career, and he thrilled the TD Garden crowd with a 3-pointer that rattled in with 11 seconds left in the Celtics’ win.

Pierce spent the weekend in Boston reflecting on his career and looking ahead.

On life after basketball:

“I’ve given it a little thought. I’ve thought about maybe still being involved in the game of basketball in some kind of way, whether it be upper management. I’m not sure about coaching yet, coaching is still a grind. When you’re coming off a 19-year grind you want to spend a little time with your family, so I’m not so sure about that. I’ve thought about doing some broadcast stuff, I’ve done that in the past. As you know, I did the Finals last year. There’s some things in the back of my mind that I’ll consider. I’m just enjoying this last year for right now then I’ll jump into that.”


On Patriots quarterback Tom Brady:

“I think Brady is a little older than me. I think he’s got me by a couple of months. I wish him the best of luck. In my eyes he’s the greatest quarterback that ever played, and for him to be doing this at the age he’s doing it, he’s defying all the odds of a football player, of a football quarterback, but that just shows you what greatness can be, and he is one of the greatest. It looks like he can do this another five years, so hopefully they go out there and win another Super Bowl for the city.”

On whether he is at peace with his decision to retire:

“Definitely. I’ve had a chance to talk to a few people who have been in professional sports, not only basketball but other sports, to talk about when they thought they were ready to retire, and it’s definitely put me at ease about my decision to move forward after this year.”

On Kevin Garnett becoming a regular on “Inside the NBA”:

“KG is having fun. I talk to him every week. Not only is he doing Area 21, he’s also doing some consulting with the Clippers, so I see him once a week and me and him get our time to catch up, we usually go to dinner once a week. He’s enjoying life, he’s happy with his decision to retire, and he’s enjoying the fruits of all his labor and he said he’s having the time of his life.”

On telling his children about his accomplishments in Boston:

“My kids probably won’t remember a lot of the time I spent here because they were young, but my son was born my last year [with the Celtics]. I’m going to eventually bring them out, hopefully for a jersey retirement. But my wife, she’s been through it, she’s been here for the championship. My daughter was 2 months old when we won the championship.”

On the Celtics still reaping the benefits of the trade that sent he and Garnett to Brooklyn:

“That’s my way of leaving and giving back. It wasn’t intentional. I wish I could have still been here. But leaving, at least I did something for the franchise. I made some [impact] by leaving.”

On appearing in just 13 games through the season’s first 3½ months:

“It’s been difficult, especially with me being a competitor, wanting to be out there, feeding my competitive juices. But I’ve taken on a different role, a leader to these younger guys and helping them understand what it’s going to take to get to that next level. I’ve come to peace with it. I still come to the gym early as if I’m a rookie, I still get here early. Everybody can tell you that. But I’ve accepted my role and I understand what my role for the franchise is. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get one last shot, maybe in a playoff setting, maybe a chance to do something special.”

ETC.

Pruitt got a ring, but not a chance

Gabe Pruitt was a rookie when the Celtics won the NBA title in 2007-08. Charles Krupa/AP/File 2007/Associated Press

Gabe Pruitt was a little-used rookie on the Celtics’ 2007-08 championship team, playing in just 15 games and spending most of the season with NBADL Utah.

But he was a flashy guard out of Southern Cal loaded with potential. His playing time increased during his second season, but he was waived by the Celtics after the 2008-09 season following a DUI charge.

Pruitt never played in another NBA game after that, failing to crack the rosters of the Knicks and Magic. He last played in Greece in 2014, but he does have a ring from his time with the Celtics.

College teammate and close friend Nick Young of the Lakers said he keeps in touch with Pruitt, who is trying to resurrect his career in the D-League.

“He’s doing all right,” Young said. “I work out with him. I tried to get him to work out more with me this summer. I think he’s doing good, he’s doing all right. He’s trying to get back to the Developmental League. He’s trying to get it right. That guy can play.”

NBA success isn’t promised, and Pruitt is a prime example of how a particular environment can determine a player’s future.

Perhaps if Pruitt was drafted by a struggling team, he would have been given more playing time and perhaps a better chance to stick. Pruitt didn’t have much of an opportunity in Boston and soon turned into a journeyman.

Pruitt and Young were part of a USC team that reached the Sweet 16 in 2007, a roster that also included Bulls forward Taj Gibson. The Trojans beat a Texas team that featured Kevin Durant in the second round before losing to North Carolina.

Pruitt, who is now 30, was drafted in 2007 in the second round by the Celtics, considered a talented player who needed polish. He was on the bench when the Celtics beat the Lakers to win the title.

“He actually won a chip,” Young said. “It’s tough, you know, coming in fresh as a rookie, playing with vets, winning a title. It kind of got to him. I try to tell him, he’s still young enough to give it a try and get going.”

Many players have used the NBADL as a means of making an NBA comeback. Former Celtic Nate Robinson has signed with Delaware, while former Bull Ben Gordon has averaged 14.3 points in six games with the Texas Legends.

Layups

Jabari Parker averaged 20.1 points per game before his injury. Jeffrey Phelps/AP

The Bucks were whole for less than one game after they welcomed back Khris Middleton from a season-long hamstring injury Wednesday against the Heat. Milwaukee was primed for a late-season run, but then swingman Jabari Parker, having his best season, tore his left anterior cruciate ligament for a second time and will miss the rest of the season. Coach Jason Kidd already was frustrated with the methodical growth process in Milwaukee, but this will slow it even further. While the Bucks have splendid forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, they have been beset with injuries and inconsistent performances . . . Expect the Magic to become sellers in the trade market over the next two weeks, entering Friday six games out of the final playoff spot in the East, having to leapfrog five teams. The good news for the Magic is $35 million is coming off the books this summer in the contracts of Serge Ibaka, Jeff Green, Jodie Meeks, and C.J. Wilcox, and only the injured Meeks is not likely to be moved before the Feb. 23 deadline. Green was supposed to grab the starting small forward spot but instead is turning in his worst season, averaging 9.4 points on 38.7 percent shooting. Orlando also committed a long-term contract to Bismack Biyombo, who is earning $17 million but playing just 24 minutes per game. The Magic need another overhaul, and after years of rebuilds and crumbles, general manager Rob Hennigan’s job may not be safe . . . The most interesting race to watch over the final two months of the regular season will be for the eighth playoff spot in the West. Teams 8-13 entered Friday night within 3½ games of each other, which may greatly affect whether they are sellers in the trade market. Denver, Portland, Sacramento, Dallas, New Orleans, and Minnesota all badly want to reach the postseason, so those teams may hold onto players in the hopes of grabbing that final spot . . . The Heat are the league’s hottest team and finally have the chemistry they have sought all season, even without gifted defender Justise Winslow. Entering Friday night, Miami had won 12 straight but was still seven games below .500. But the teams the Heat are chasing in the East — Charlotte, Detroit, and Chicago — are so wildly inconsistent that Miami could grab the seventh playoff spot. This has to be considered one of Erik Spoelstra’s best coaching jobs, considering the Heat lost their Big Three and have been besieged with injuries.

Bearing fruit

Yogi Ferrell earned a two-year contract from the Mavericks thanks to an impressive four-game stretch. The undrafted rookie capped the run with a 32-point outburst against Portland. He is the seventh player since 2000 to reach that mark in one of his first 15 career games.

Compiled by Michael Grossi

Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter at @GwashburnGlobe. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.