In an appearance on ‘Undisputed,’ NBA legend Paul Pierce shared the latest take on his longtime rival, LeBron James. According to Pierce, he feels partially responsible for bringing the best version of LeBron’s career.
“I truly feel responsible for taking LeBron to that next level,” said Pierce. “Because when he went to Miami, in Game 6 when we had them on the ropes to go back to the Finals, I think that was the game that took LeBron to the next level… I was a little older so I guarded him some and Brandon Bass guarded him I think Game 6, his first year in Miami. We were up 3-2 at home and we’re about to go to the Finals and that’s what took him to the next level.
Paul Pierce credits himself for LeBron’s greatness
"I truly feel responsible for taking LeBron to that next level."
(h/t @awfulannouncing )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 12, 2024
LeBron James is widely recognized today as one of the greatest players in the game. As a 4x champion, 20x All-Star, and 4x MVP, he’s more accomplished in his career than most players dream about. While Pierce doesn’t compare to LeBron, he was still one of his primary adversaries back in the day and a case can be made that his Celtics teams helped to elevate LeBron to another level of greatness.
The series being mentioned here is the 2012 NBA Eastern Conference Finals. That year, LeBron was the leader of the “big three” Miami Heat with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. After coming together and forming a superteam, the Heat became the most hated franchise in the league… but they kept winning anyway and managed to make the Finals in their first year together.
But after an embarrassing showing that saw LeBron endure his worst series in years, the Heat lost their first chance at the title and they went into the next season with a major chip on their shoulder. In the 2011-12 campaign, James was a man on a mission for the Heat but he faced his toughest challenge yet in the third round, with Pierce and the Celtics standing in his way.
The Celtics, who were on the last leg with their 2008 championship core, turned up the pressure in the series and even took a 3-2 lead after six games. Pierce averaged 18.0 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in seven matches and made big shot after big shot.
In a now iconic Game 6 performance, James dropped 45 points and 15 rebounds in a dominant display of talent. The Heat would go on to win the game, win the series, and win the NBA championship that year after beating the Thunder in the Finals.
So while 10x All-Star Paul Pierce is not directly to blame for LeBron’s breakout moment, it’s fair to say that the resistance he and his Celtics team gave LeBron back then helped him become the superstar basketball legend he is now.
While Pierce’s place and value is often forgotten among the fans, he will always be remembered for being one of LeBron’s greatest early adversaries and it took some serious growth from the King before he was able to advance.
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