Speaking on the “All Facts No Brakes” podcast, Celtics legend Paul Pierce shared one of his hottest takes yet. On the pod, Pierce claimed to be more clutch than LeBron James, and it sparked a loud response from the NBA community.
“Facts,” said Pierce on if he was more clutch than James. “I didn’t move around, I didn’t do none of that.”
.@PaulPierce34 says he was more clutch than LeBron James 👀🍿
Watch @keyshawn reaction 😅 pic.twitter.com/ClSilBu5uO
— All Facts No Brakes (@AllFactsPod) March 27, 2024
When you think of clutch players, guys like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or even Damian Lillard come to mind. Paul Pierce, on the other hand, often gets missed despite his past.
Historically, Pierce is tied for third place all-time for the most game-winning buzzer-beaters in NBA history. Both he and LeBron have made 7 of them in their careers, topped only by Michael Jordan, who has 9, and Kobe Bryant, and Joe Johnson, who each have 8.
So when Pierce claims to be more clutch than LeBron, it’s not totally ludicrous thinking. Pierce often stepped up late for the Cs and his ability to create his own shot on a whim saved the franchise more times than I can count. So while he may not be on LeBron’s level in every other aspect of the game, Paul Pierce was certainly a top-tier closer and he won’t let the world forget it.
During his stint in Boston, Pierce was a killer in the clutch and he always rose up with a fearless approach. In 15 years for the Celtics, “the Truth” averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game on 44% shooting. He made the Finals twice and won a title in 2008 as the leading offensive scorer for his team. Today, while Pierce has long been retired, he still wants the world to know how lethal he was in his prime when he was closing games consistently and giving even LeBron James a run for his money.
Paul Pierce And LeBron James Are Longtime Rivals
Of course, it’s no secret that Paul Pierce has a complicated history with King James. While the two have never openly expressed hatred towards each other, they clashed several times over their careers. In fact, Pierce was one of LeBron’s toughest challengers back in the day.
Their relationship dates back to LeBron’s early days in Cleveland, before he won his first title and while “the Truth” was in his prime on a stacked Celtics team. Between Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, the Celtics were dominating the East through the mid to late 2000s and LeBron’s Cavaliers were often on the other side of their victories.
Pierce’s Celtics sent LeBron home twice in two years — first in 2008 en route to the title and then in the 2010 East Semifinals. Pierce’s clutch play was huge in both series and could be what made the difference for them in such a tight and hard-fought affair.
Of course, LeBron James would set the record straight after that. In a sign of new times, LeBron’s Heat obliterated the Cs in a 4-1 gentleman’s sweep in 2011 and that was the start of LeBron’s amazing Finals streak.
For much of LeBron’s career, he cruises through the East without too much effort but those old Celtics teams were one of the few who really gave him a tough time.
Today, Pierce and James may not be outright rivals, but there is still a lingering feeling of bad blood between them whenever their old battles get resurface.
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