Paul Pierce opens up on his battles with LeBron James - "I actually respected LeBron more than anybody but he always brought the best in me"
Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce had his fair share of battles against LeBron James through his 19-year career.
Pierce and James faced each other in several high-stakes playoff and regular-season games. The most notable of these games was the 2008 Eastern Conference semifinals, where the Celtics faced the Cavaliers. Pierce and James engaged in a fierce battle, with each player trying to outdo the other. The series went to seven games, with the Celtics ultimately coming out on top.
5 years ago, Paul Pierce asked to guard LeBron James, saying he knew his tendencies more than anyone.
LeBron scored 49 points (67% FG) on him, leading the Heat to a Game 4 win. https://t.co/KtOZktSbxH
The two players went against each other 69 times, with James edging ahead with a 35-34 record. On "The Dan Patrick Show" recently, Pierce said that he had the utmost respect for James:
“I actually respected LeBron more than anybody, but he always brought the best in me and it was easy to not like him because, you know, he put up these historic games all the time on me. So, I was just like, geez, I wish I was his age and maybe I could've kept up with him a little more.”
Paul Pierce had a fierce rivalry with LeBron James
Pierce and LeBron James faced each other in several memorable games. The rivalry even continued when Pierce eventually left the Boston Celtics in 2013.
In the years that followed, the two went against each other in multiple games, including the 2014 Eastern Conference semifinals. A talented Miami Heat, with James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, trumped Pierce’s Brooklyn Nets 4-1.
Despite their intense rivalry, Pierce and James have always maintained a level of mutual respect for each other. Both have spoken highly of the other, acknowledging their talents and achievements on the court. In fact, in 2019, Pierce publicly apologized to James for his past criticisms, saying that he had always respected his game:
“I really don't have a relationship with anybody in the NBA outside my teammates, you know. These are guys that I respect. Been to the All-Star Game with a lot of them. It is a mutual respect. That's all. It is not like I am calling anybody. My friends are pretty much who I grew up with and my family.”
LeBron James vs. Paul Pierce in the playoffs. https://t.co/eczhoeNOqZ
Considering the Celtics legend’s recent comments, the respect seems to have only increased since his retirement.