2023-07-24 11:58:00
Do you like the statements that make people talk and that punctuate the summer while the NBA news is very calm? Good thing we have a nice one. It is signed Paul Pierce, who never misses an opportunity to dishonor his nickname “The Truth”.
Four years ago, Paul Pierce declared without shaking his chin that “his career was better” than that of Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade, with whom he shared many battles in the Playoffs. This weekend, the former Celtic once once more spoke out on that debate and unsurprisingly he hasn’t really changed his mind (via Dan Le Batard Show).
“Give me Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal), LeBron (James) and (Chris) Bosh, don’t you think I win a title? Me, LeBron, and Bosh, don’t you think we can win two titles?
Who is the best 3-point shooter? Is he a better scorer? Ok, he has a career-best scoring average, but I can shoot 3-pointers, mid-range, post, I can get to the free throw line. Who is the top scorer?
My skills aren’t appreciated because I haven’t been able to play with many great players.
Mocked four years ago for his declaration, Paul Pierce therefore remains entrenched in his positions. And it didn’t take long to see plenty of reactions on social media. Among them, that of Udonis Haslem, teammate and longtime friend of Dwyane Wade, who did not hesitate to say what was on his heart on Instagram.
“Some assholes have diarrhea coming out of their mouths on these podcasts!!!”
From UD in the text, he who logically defends the one with whom he won three NBA titles at the Miami Heat.
Udonis Haslem calls out Paul Pierce
(h/t @5ReasonsSports ) pic.twitter.com/wmjbH5uFQz
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 22, 2023
No disrespect to basketball player Paul Pierce, who was one of the best scorers of his generation and indeed a better 3-point shooter than Dwyane Wade, the latter evolved in another dimension when it comes to athletic qualities and ability to break through opposing defenses. In his prime, D-Wade feuded with Kobe Bryant himself for the title of best NBA back, he dominated on both sides of the field, and was able to carry an entire team to the top.
So yes, Dwyane Wade had the opportunity to evolve alongside Shaquille O’Neal during the first years of his career, but it was an aging Shaq who was only a shadow of himself during the 2006 NBA Finals, which D-Wade flew over to truly write his legend. So yes, Flash was then able to play with prime LeBron and Chris Bosh, thus adding two NBA titles in four Finals to his list, but let’s not forget that Paul Pierce formed a real Big Three with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen during the second part of their career (two NBA Finals and a title won between 2017 and 2012).
All that to say that no matter what angle you take in this debate – level, track record, stats, premium – “The Truth” can hardly stand the comparison. Maybe he finally figured it out from his last message on twitter (or rather “X”, thanks Elon).
“I would never disrespect him (to Wade) he’s one of the best all-timers, I’m just saying the narrative around me would be different if I had had the chance to play with all-timers earlier in my career.”
__________
Text source: Dan Le Batard Show
“My skills went unappreciated because I didn’t get to play with a lot of great players.” – @paulpierce34
D. Wade vs The Truth
via #ItIsWhatItIs pic.twitter.com/9DOfxFyzE0
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) July 22, 2023
1690266910
#Paul #Pierce #thinks #Dwyane #Wade
