Arch Rival Paul Pierce Finally Admits Significance of LeBron James’ Carrying Cleveland Cavaliers

Paul Pierce praised LeBron James for what he did in 2008 with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Arch Rival Paul Pierce Finally Admits Significance of LeBron James’ Carrying Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James and Paul Pierce (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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LeBron James will go down as one of, if not the greatest, players to ever play the game of basketball. Regarded for his longevity, James has achieved loads of accolades and has rewritten several NBA records. He has won four NBA Championships, four Finals MVPs, four regular-season MVPs, and is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history.

The 2025-26 campaign represents LeBron James‘ 23rd season in the NBA. A number no player has achieved in league history. The Los Angeles Lakers forward has shown no signs of slowing down after a slow start to the season. He is currently averaging 21.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. However, considering he is 41 now, his teammate Luka Doncic is the focal point of the Lakers.

Drafted as the number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA draft, James brought relevance to the franchise. During his two stints with the Cavs, he took them to five NBA Finals and won them their lone NBA title in 2016. Since his departure in 2018, the Cavs have struggled to find success in the postseason, underscoring his influence as a leader and a player.

James spent most of his career in the Eastern Conference before joining the Lakers in 2018. During his time in the East, he developed a fierce rivalry with the Boston Celtics, led by Paul Pierce. They have clashed five times in the playoffs in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014. Pierce came out on top in their first two meetings while James won the next three.

During an episode of No Fouls Given, Pierce was asked what would have happened in Cleveland if he and James traded places in 2008. Pierce praised James for what he did:

We probably wouldn’t make the playoffs. I would’ve been cringing passing to them. But I probably would have led the league in scoring. At least Bron had confidence in them. I don’t know how he did that.

After carrying the Cavs to the 2007 finals, James’ performance in 2008 caught everyone’s eyes. Playing on a much inferior team, the forward led the Celtics, led by Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, to seven games. It put the NBA world on notice that James was destined for greatness.

Paul Pierce helped LeBron James take the next step

For all the success James has achieved in his 23-year NBA career, there was a time when James faced a lot of doubts and scrutiny. After his controversial move to the Miami Heat in 2010, fans and analysts went after him for essentially choking in their 2011 NBA Finals loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

In 2012, James met Pierce and the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics were up by 3-2 heading into game six, and the pressure on James was as high as it could get.

Pierce, who guarded the then-Heat star on almost every possession, witnessed James go off in a career-altering performance in game six.

Paul Pierce and LeBron James
Paul Pierce and LeBron James (Image credits – Heat Nation/X)

This is it right here, this is his legacy is on the line cause if he loses this game, he’s going to get crucified. This is what the greatest players of all-time do, they step up to the occasion… I feel like I was a part of helping him get to the next step.

James put in a dominant display as he recorded 45 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. He went on to post another double-double in game seven, scoring 31 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. James went on to claim his first championship and his first Finals MVP. However, with this claim, Pierce was seemingly taking credit for bringing the best out of James.

Charles Barkley believes LeBron James should not be an All-Star this year

When the All-Star starters were announced last week, one name was omitted that caught everyone’s eye. After 21 straight years of being named as a starter, James missed the cut this time. His teammates Doncic, Stephen Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, and Victor Wembanyama, were chosen as starters from the Western Conference.

While the Inside the NBA crew was discussing whether James would be selected as a reserve on the All-Star team. Barkley explained why he believes the four-time NBA Champion should not be included.

We already have the starters and I want to give some other guys coming off the bench some shine. Its borderline. The one guy I’m going to war for is Dillon Brooks. I think Dillon Brooks deserves to be an All Star.

It remains to be seen if James will be named in the reserves, but considering his current form and popularity, he is very likely to be named as an All-Star for a 22nd time.

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