The Boston Celtics were handed a blowout loss at home on Sunday at the Garden by LeBron James and the new-look Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sunday’s blowout was drowned out by Paul Pierce‘s #34 being raised into the rafters post-game, but even 24 hours later the loss’s long-term impact is still very unclear. Reason for the lack of clarity is that the Cavaliers showcased their brand new lineup on Sunday with no real gameplan other than playing basketball and running the ball through James. For the Celtics, they had no idea how to prepare for this Cavs team with no video available to prepare for the game.

With no video, Brad Stevens and company was delegated to shooting off the hip and having his squad ill-prepared for a highly important Sunday game. Of course, the team’s lack of preparation is troubling from a big picture perspective. But in the moment it is hard to blame though.

Boston’s lack of competitiveness in this particular game can be attributed to seeing essentially a new team for the first time. There play over the last couple of weeks has been highly troubling. Boston had a barn burner of a month in December but since then they have looked out of sync and seem to be playing less than 100%.

The best Boston has looked in 2018 came when the team as a whole stepped up in the absence of Kyrie Irving for a few games in January. But the team hasn’t played a full game which is something that Al Horford admitted after Sunday’s loss.

Coach Stevens made a comment earlier in the season about not stepping off the gas at this particular point in the season. But it appears the team hasn’t heeded his warning as they look at rebound and get back on the right track.

A player who donned the number 34 jersey is having his number retired in his honor on Sunday. The player happens to be Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce who wore the number during his Celtics tenure. But Pierce played much of his carrer in Boston, a town that happens to have another player with the number 34 that was also retired.

The other player is former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz whose number 34 jersey was retired by Boston this past season.

So while both are legendary in their own rights with potential hall of fame careers, who is the more iconic? When I say the number 34 who do you think of?

Well, the tale of the tape might be simple. Ortiz led the Red Sox to 3 World Series titles and helped the franchise win its first title in 86 seasons. Pierce, on the other hand, holds one NBA title to his name with it coming back in 2008 when his Celtics team brought home the franchises 17th NBA Championship.

But looking at it in a simple numbers to numbers perspective simply isn’t fair to either player. Basketball and baseball are two completely different sports. Both are legends in Boston and their meaning to the city and the fans hold a lasting impact. For that reason I leave it up to you, the readers to determine who is the more iconic #34. Ortiz or Pierce?

Vote on the Tweet below to help determine who is the most iconic #34.

When I say the number 34, who do you think of? #Celtics #RedSox @DavidOrtiz @paulpierce34

— Tanner Rebelo (@TannerRebelo) February 11, 2018

Ahead of the NBA trade deadline the Boston Celtics have remained relatively quiet from all accounts. Of course Danny Ainge is doing his due diligence by looking into every possible avenue, but for now, Boston is staying put according to a report by Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.

Just because the Celtics are being quiet doesn’t mean players with connections to the team aren’t moving around.

Earlier on Thursday Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder who were traded this offseason were both traded out of Cleveland to the Los Angeles Lakers. Another name connected to Boston is former Celtics big man Kendrick Perkins who is now a favorite to land into one of Clevland’s open roster spots according to reports.

In the Eastern Conference, the only team with playoff hopes to really shake up their rosters was Cleveland. Washington, Milwaukee, and Toronto all stayed relatively quiet.

Boston’s deal with Greg Monroe is expected to be official shortly with the team also expected to be “highly” active in the buyout market.