Paul Pierce is one of the greatest small forwards of all time, his illustrious career consists of an NBA championship, a finals MVP and 10 all-star appearances. The 2016-17 NBA season marked the final season for the great career of The Truth, and now that his career is over, he has reminisced about his career, the players he's played against and the teams he's faced. Recently, Paul took the time to talk about LeBron James in the TV show KG Area 21, held by good friend, Kevin Garnett.
Paul Pierce talks about LeBron James' current eliteness
When a legend of the NBA talks about a current day player, it's worth listening to.
And that's what happened on the most recent episode of KG Area 21. Paul Pierce spoke about the 2017 playoffs, and the level at which King James is performing at right now. Firstly, he spoke highly of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and how dominant they have been over Eastern Conference opponents, stating:
"As long as LeBron is in the East, he will be in the Finals... You got an experience team, they know how to push the button. Obviously they didn't end the season the way they wanted to, but once the playoffs started, they just on a roll, they on a roll"
The Truth is basically guaranteeing the Cavaliers a place in the 2017 NBA Finals, which would be a third straight year for the team. This guarantee isn't a crazy one though, this Cleveland team has already swept their first two playoff series' against the Indiana Pacers and the Toronto Raptors, and will be looking to continue asserting their dominance once the Eastern Conference finals series emerges.
Chasing the ghost of Michael Jordan
LeBron James has went on record saying "my motivation is this ghost I'm chasing. The ghost played in Chicago". This was something that Paul Pierce elaborated on, stating:
"LeBron James, I think in the back of his mind, wants to be better than Michael Jordan... right now LeBron is chasing the G.O.A.T"
LeBron's consistent greatness certainly has him on a path to achieving such a feat.
Pierce suggested LeBron can keep performing at a high level like he is currently for "two more years I'd say", until the age of 34. PP assumed LeBron will start to decline at that age, but James never ceases to amaze, and seeing a 34-year old LBJ still in his prime may very well be the case.
Who was LeBron's last rival?
According to Mr.
Pierce himself, he was the last player to test LeBron James, and compete at a high level against him, saying: "I think I'm the last player that really competed against him, you see guys stand in front of him and they look scared."
Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Paul George may disagree, but at the end of the day Pierce is right, LeBron is pretty good at putting fear into the opponents eyes when they have to check him on an island. This is a strong statement from Paul, suggesting the King basically runs the league right now, no one challenges him.