"Obviously, it's a long time waiting, coming for him to get back on the court," Pierce said following the Sixers' first practice. "We want Nerlens to be Nerlens. He's an athletic big that runs the floor well. He's a young player, and this is his first time at this level. We need to limit his thinking and allow him to play and do what he's always done: block shots, play with energy and provide a presence. That's what we are going to ask for him."