It is not a secret that Paul Pierce doesn't like LeBron James. These two small forwards were rivals for a few years and it seems that even today, after Pierce announced his retirement, they still don't like each other. Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron lost game 2 of the 2017 NBA Finals, and Pierce used it as an opportunity to call Kevin Durant the best player in the league.

Even though he is 32 and down 0-2 in the finals, LeBron James is still the best player in the NBA. James is still in his prime and the Cavaliers just look like a different team without him.

Pierce understands it and he knows how good LeBron is, yet he used the game 2 loss to throw shade at his former rival.

Durant is good, but far from the best

Kevin Durant was the best player in the NBA in 2014. He won the MVP award that year, after a very close race with LeBron James. Ever since then, Durant has dealt with injuries and he just hasn't been the same. After joining the Golden State Warriors last summer, Durant once again became one of the top players in the league, but he is far from the best. Furthermore, it is even questionable if he's the best player on his team, since Stephen Curry is having a fantastic season as well.

"He may be the best player in the world today," said Paul Pierce about Kevin Durant.

Durant had an amazing game with 33 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocks, but LeBron James was also very good. Despite another blowout loss, James gave his maximum effort and he finished the game with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists, which was his eighth finals triple-double.

Paul Pierce was criticized for this comment, but he knew what he did and he didn't care.

It seems that Pierce wants to continue his rivalry with LeBron James, but this time it will be off the court.

LeBron has to win game 3

Even though he is the best player in the NBA today, LeBron James may never become the greatest player of all time if he loses game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals. The Cavaliers are down 0-2 in the series and the next game is a must-win one.

If they fall down for the third straight time, there is a chance that the Warriors will sweep them, and that is something that could leave a deep scar on LeBron's legacy.

The Warriors are 14-0 in the postseason and the Cavaliers will have to give them their first loss of the playoffs if they want to defend the title. While Golden State showed pure domination on their home court, they will face the real challenge in Cleveland. This series might go easily to seven games if the Cavaliers defend their home court, so it will be interesting to see how they respond.
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