Throughout his entire career, Paul Pierce was a bit of a controversial figure. And that hasn’t changed the slightest since he retired.
Pierce has always been outspoken, vocal, and polarizing. He tells it as he sees it, and it’s clear that he’s never cared about what his haters have to say about him.
But more than that, Pierce has fired some interesting takes, sort of way, when he talks about his career. While pretty solid, it seems like he sees himself as an NBA legend.
Pierce went as far as to say that he had a better career than Dwyane Wade, a three-time NBA Champion that has the edge in nearly every single important stat and standpoint.
That’s why it’s only normal to see that fans also debate whether Pierce is a first-ballot Hall of Famer or not. While his presence in the Hall of Fame may not be questioned, his immediate induction is a different subject.
Here, we share some of the most interesting quotes from this debate on Twitter.
This is why Paul Pierce is first ballot HOF. It’s amazing how y’all get on this app & lie. Y’all let what Draymond said cloud your vision, proving you’re a casual. Shaq gave him the nickname “The Truth.” Paul has been a bucket since he stepped in the League. pic.twitter.com/peEs6d1gpy
— GRADS (@MGRADS) September 7, 2021
Dude has no weaknesses. Complete basketball player
— Rashad Phillips (@RP3natural) September 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/Press_X_ToJason/status/1435333909512953861
Paul Pierce was a good, not great player. Without KG and Allen, he would be ring less.
— Gee Money (@DorchTroy) September 7, 2021
PP was definitely good can’t lie I just remember the Celtics were the worst team in the league before they got Ray and KG and the truth was a turnover machine on top of that idk I just don’t like him as a person lol. Like the TO of the NBA to me and I like TO lol
— Dee Lew (@DeeLew80) September 7, 2021
He's not a legend. He was a very good basketball player.
— Gee Money (@DorchTroy) September 7, 2021
19 seasons.
0 All NBA 1st team
1 All NBA 2nd team
3 All NBA 3rd team
0 All NBA Def team
84th in career PER
Highest MVP finish: 7th
No other Top-10 MVP finishes
Dude had a nice midrange and respectable 3. Lots of healthy seasons and he put up a lot of points and rebounds.
— BoysInBlue (@BoysInBlue87) September 7, 2021
Since his sophomore year in HS. 🤷
— 23uct (@23uct) September 7, 2021
Would have been number one ☝️ on the list but sacrificed his scoring to accommodate Ray and KG to go on their title runs. A player with skills and could really shoot the basketball, improved on a yearly basis.
— Christopher Brownlee (@LawndaleBball) September 8, 2021
Exceptional basketball ability. No game off the court. Both things can be correct.
— Matt Axe (@TheMattAxe) September 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/KingWells_/status/1435332463480410115
I know Paul is good like I know it in my heart lol I just don’t know what big names I can confidently say he was better than. But him being right under bird is wild.
— Markie Ex Machina (@MarkieChill) September 7, 2021
Good player. 1st ballot i think you need to be one of the best of a generation. Pierce was never a top 5 player in the league and I’m not sure he was ever top 10.
— Mitchell Osness (@milbrewfan) September 7, 2021
Someone didn’t see the Celtics from 2005-2007.
— Mike Zordan (@mdzordan) September 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/JohnPJacobs312/status/1435338758644248585
He still didn’t get that Kobe farewell tour…😂
— MCB (@lookslikedrano) September 7, 2021
Pierce might get a sympathy nod years down the road when the candidate class is weak, but he’s definitely not a first ballot. The small forward position is loaded and being the second-highest scoring Celtic doesn’t mean all that much.
— DG (@deviouslolz) September 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/AJoyce63642102/status/1435304571350536194https://twitter.com/Nex_A_Genius/status/1435320936727732228https://twitter.com/JuicyRed0_/status/1435307037399961603
At the end of the day, Pierce does have the stats to back up his case as a Hall of Famer.
Through 19 years, he averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.3 steals, and 2.8 three-pointers per game on 44.5/36.8/80.0 shooting splits.
Pierce scored over 26,000 points and 2100 three-pointers and starred in some pretty clutch and iconic moments in Celtics history, finishing second in all-time points scored for his team.
He led the Boston Celtics to multiple trips to the NBA Finals, winning the ring and being named Finals MVP in 2008. He was also a part of the All-Rookie team, made 4 All-NBA selections, and was a 10-time All-Star.
Then again, while a Celtics legend, he’s still a ways away from being one of the greatest players in NBA history.
