I have two professional cats.

Paul Pierce notified the Celtics yesterday he plans to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent. Pierce, 32, is young for baseball and old for football, and it’s unclear how many more top-notch basketball seasons the eight-time All Star forward has left.

Boston Globe columnist Tony Massarotti wrote today that the two parties parting ways might be a blessing in disguise for the team:

Earlier than anyone might have anticipated, maybe Danny Ainge now can begin the process of reinventing the Celtics again, this time around a dynamic young point guard [- Rajon Rondo -] who is indisputably their future.

— “The Truth? Pierce decision may be a blessing,” June 30, Boston.com

Where Pierce (who averaged 18.3 points and 4.4 rebounds per game this season) plays next year has major and obvious ramifications for the Celtics’ team identity and payroll. But it will also impact the culture of the region.

The Celtics are the basketball team of New England (population: 15 million). Pierce has been the face of the franchise’s marketing and merchandising since his rookie season, 1998-9. “The Truth,” as he is called, has outlasted Ray Borque, Nomar, Pedro, Manny, and Tedy Bruschi as Boston sports legends - and predates David Ortiz and Tom Brady.

I remember attending my first Celtics game and holding a computer-made sign while sitting in the nosebleeds: “#34 Paul Pierce IS THE MAN!!!”

Over his career, Pierce hasn’t been the most athletic player or the most exciting to watch. But in a league of prima donnas and selfish jerks, Pierce’s grit, heart, and hard work made him one of the best scorers and defenders of his era.

Though the ruthless business of professional sports may land him somewhere else for the rest of his career, almost all can agree that Pierce’s number 34 will rise to the rafters of the Boston Garden. If common sense prevails, he will end up in basketball’s hall of fame.

I’m proud to have called Mr. Pierce Boston’s own.