The TRUTH About The Truth

My thoughts on the controversial NBA great, Paul Pierce.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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#nba #basketball #hoops

[@jonnyarnett]

What do you think? Is Pierce generally overrated or underrated by modern audiences?

[@august6281]

most current fans will overrate/underrate players with no/1 ring only from older era since their only basis is highlights and stats. By 2040-50, Dirk will be disrespected by lots of fan because he only won 1 and hasnt avg. close to 30ppg while lots of players by that time will be avr. 30+

[@Jugi_boy]

As a Lakers fan who grew up in the 2000 and saw Boston annihilate the lake show in the 2008 finals, i’m going to say underrated. Don’t get me wrong I hate Paul Pierce but man was he a menace. Glad that team only won one championship tho. 2010 rematch was legendary

[@ejkboxing]

Pierce's Legacy hasn't been damaged one bit by saying he's better than DWade or because he made a joke about having to take a dump instead of being hurt. You must be a Lakers fan. Remember that time when he said "I got Kobe." & then locked Kobe down in game 6 for the entire 4th quarter in the Finals? Nobody was denying who was the best that night.

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

He is rated about right. the Most Underrated player in NBA history is Michael Finley in HIS PRIME 96-03. He wore out even though he was the best atheset in the NBA because he as playing 48 minutes every single game and never missed a game for 7 straight years at 48 minutes. This was in a West that was dominated only be 7'1 300 pound players like Shaq, Robinson, Duncan, Webber, Garnett. Yet Finley ended upwinning more than all of them just about. He was the Leader of the Mavs. He Raised them up Well. then a new rule happened where you could cut lux tax and Cuban thought he would be an idiot and Cut Finley after he gave his Heart and Soul to the Mavericks. Mike Finley the Flying Tiger is Easily a Top 50 Player in NBA history. He was snubbed from about 5 All Star Games. and about 4 All NBA Teams.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

When you judge his overall abilities he's probably the goat overachiever unlike DeMar. Pierce was nowhere near Kobe or lbj but always showed up. He was never top 10 he probably wasn't even top 20 but if we consider all time drafts or games. I wouldn't laugh at him sharing the court w MJ lbj Kobe bird magic whoever. Let's be real, he'll outscore them too. He's a gamer and top competitor not player overall.

[@nbarealtalker]

“Did you call bank?” “I called game.” That’s one of the greatest quotes in the history of sport. Man was The Truth.

[@Los4rmdagang4]

Facts

[@Titch-de2re]

Pierce has said some goofy things as an analyst, but people are quick to forget that he was the go-to option on a team that basically ruled the East for about 3 years. Pierce was going head to head with guys like Kobe and LeBron on the regular, and matching them bucket for bucket. This is the same dude that got stabbed in the off-season, then went on and played all 82 games. Don't let his career after basketball make you forget that he got that name Truth for a reason‼️

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

He is a better Iso Mid Post and Low Post Player than D. Wade. Take the refs out and he would beat Wade in a Game of one on one. He had more Tricks and ISO moves also is longer. He knows how to get to his shot more effortlessly and Easily.

[@Titch-de2re]

@@JimBrave-ri1oc I agree he is a much better half court scorer than Wade, but that's really where his advantages over Wade end. Wade was still able to be just about as effective of a scorer as Pierce purely due to his athleticism and crafty slashing ability. He was also a much better playmaker and defender than Pierce.

[@369pendulum]

@@Titch-de2reDuring Wade’s prime his midrange was automatic.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Their go to play was rondo hold and Ray curl. He was go to iso but not option

[@terterman8585]

Pierce overrating himself led to people underrating him

[@jingqi9106]

Paul Pierce was a 10 time all-star, an NBA champion, was all NBA 5 times, finished in the top 20 in steals 7 times, won a 3 point shootout, and is a member of the 75th anniversary team. The Truth was super effective from the triple threat position because he could hit a jumper in the defender's face, he could drive to the basket and finish, and he could find teammates for open looks. The dude was a scoring machine and when he got it going, he was damn near unstoppable. 💯🔥

[@Ejohns1004]

I'm a life long Pistons fan so believe that I don't say this lightly: Larry was and is THE LEGEND, and Paul Pierce was the motha fuckin Truth.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Don't say that out loud lol

[@the_Sage71]

RIP Hamilton would straighten this all out.

[@LifeDeCrescendo]

Pierce: "Stabbed and left for dead? I'll see you all 82 games." Zion Williamson: "Pass the hamburgers."

[@celtics17banners84]

One of the best players I’ve ever seen. Drives me insane when people say he wasn’t one of the best

[@O.J.S.]

Thank you!

[@Dyce2k]

He was alright he wasn’t no wade or Kobe lmao

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

He had some good seasons and bad seasons. Never liked him with the head band look. He was way better without the headband in the very early 00's. There was a Season or two where he was top 5 In overall Stats. Up there with Shaq, Duncan, Garnett and Iverson. He had like 27 ppg / 7 / 6 / 2 / .5 on 47% shooting in 2002 which was absurd in that era.

[@chrilpy]

He was definitely one of the players of all time

[@woo_shynen8805]

He wasnt one of the best for very long though, he was truly elite for about 6-7 years and was always viewed as decent after that. He was clutch tho

[@Szmorike]

Maybe its worth to mention, that he born in Okland California, and grew up at the showtime Lakers time. So he became a hardcore lakers fan as a kid and dreamed about to one day he will play for the Lakers, then ironicaly he became the showtime Lakers's nemesis Boston's legend.

[@sirbradfordofhousejones]

I watched Pierce torch my Sonics in 2004ish for 48 points. I’ve seen Magic, Jordan, Kareem, bird, Kobe, Iverson, and many others come through Seattle… but none lit up the Sonics like Pierce did that night. Definitely one of the best players I’ve seen live. Had a phenomenal basketball IQ.

[@lioninthesun]

Kobe had 48 and the game winner in Seattle their last season there, kds rookie season

[@sirbradfordofhousejones]

@@lioninthesun I sadly wasn’t in Seattle anymore by that time- wish I could’ve seen that!

[@lioninthesun]

@@sirbradfordofhousejones ok yeah that was a great game. I wish they bring the sonics back. Portland doesn’t deserve a team right now with all the mayhem going on in that city and how they handled damien lillard

[@TheDodgeguy91]

Paul Pierce is the reason I got into basketball and remains as one of my top 5 favorite players

[@Davivd2]

The one that gets you in will always be special. Magic did it for me.

[@TheoDinu]

Well, he's top 30-35 all time. No doubt. I think people tend to forget how good he was in his prime. Early 2000s Pierce was a massive problem.

[@Davivd2]

I remember the year that the Truth lead the league in total scoring (because he never missed games). People need to put some more respect on that. I have more respect for guys like Pierce and Bird and Jokic who can get it done at the highest level without relying on athleticism.

[@clevisbernier8973]

26 ppg in 03 is like 34 ppg today. Paul Pierce is a legend.

[@emjay1249]

Facts

[@nicksamp515]

Outside of him making ridiculous takes, Pierce is a great player. One of the best in the 2000s. Garnett's injury prevented them from being a dynasty and he would've been in a serious conversation in the top 20-30 best players of all time if they three-peated, or at least won b2b. Maybe his comparison with Wade would not be as controversial as what it is right now.

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

I would say he was very athletic in his prime, he had weight with him and size for a SF. He had a lot of Moves. I as a Mavs fan always wanted him on the Mavs in his prime. I thought that He and Dirk of the same class would've won 3 Championships.

[@playc.holder6432]

Pierce seemed to give us a chance every season before the big 3. The big 3 marked a changing point for the NBA; perhaps the most important to date...

[@ye87]

Nawl the Turing point was for sure Kobe winning his 5th

[@O.J.S.]

Paul Pierce was right up there with the great early-mid 2000's wings. He was below Kobe, T-Mac, Wade and LeBron. But he was on that next tier with the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Ray Allen. He is very underrated all-time. As a Celtic, he is below Russell, Bird, Mchale, Cousy, Cowens and Havlicek. So him and Sam Jones are battling for that 7th spot. Great vid!

[@jlui21]

-- This. Pierce is a HOFer. Lower Tier Superstar and still better than 95% of the league. He's a bit of a goofball and delusional, but it's entertaining. As long as most ppl understand this, he can keep saying "I created the stepback" and "i'm better than Dwade" -- b/c its the Truth to him, only.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

​@@jlui21Zeke told him bird did it before lol

[@andresdelportillo9917]

He was better than tmac and way better than half those celts legends you named aside from Russell and bird, he was equal to Kobe , Kobe been so overrated lately it’s not even funny , pierce was more efficient and carried a lot more bums than Kobe ever did , Kobe needed shaq and the refs to win , pierce didn’t

[@O.J.S.]

@@andresdelportillo9917 Kobe shot 44.7 from the field over 20 years and Pierce shot 44.5 from the field over 19 years so the efficiency argument only holds up if you are talking about 3 point range. Pierce shot 36.8% from 3pt range over his career and Bryant shot 32.9% from 3pt range over his. In the mid-2000's they both had moribund teams and they both struggled. Ironically they both received "care packages" around the same time (2007-2008). This is why they both met in 2 Finals in a 3 year span. For the record, I liked Pierce as a player much more than I did Kobe, but we don't have to deny Kobe's brilliance to elevate Pierce. They were both great but Kobe was clearly better.

[@andresdelportillo9917]

@@O.J.S. Kobe received help from the refs in 2010 too , as a pistons fan the lakers can’t seem to beat the better team unless they have the refs help , even todays lakers were struggling until lebron complained to the league asking for more freethrows last month and now the lakers are in double digits at the charity stripe

[@Luka-nw6kc]

Pierce didn't ruin his legacy, only a casual fan or hater would diminish his legacy because of his outlandish takes. Btw i think he is better than wade, although it's very close but dwade had a better career no doubt. But if Lebron didn't join Wade, he would probably end his career with that 06 ring being the only ring in his career

[@alex4833]

Pierce was a great player. He was definitely one of the best from the 2000s. Like you, I disagree with his claim of being better than Wade, but I concur that he was superb. You gave a great analysis and summary of his career. Great video. Hope you have a nice day, Jonny!

[@jaguarfox9586]

aye man, respect for you content quality and frequency. but your intro beat/vid is top 3 on YT. :D and about Pierce...people who didn't see him play shouldn't judge. Shaq called him the truth for a reason. salute sir

[@unhpsychology3909]

Lifelong Celts fan here - I grew up in the 90s so Pierce was very much “the guy” in my era of becoming an NBA fan. You’ve done him very fairly here. He’s no D-Wade, but he was a superstar and one of the best scorers in the league. Well done, sir.

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Agreed with you. And if you compare their playing styles. Pierce was a more complete scorer.

[@gregorysilas6329]

Here’s a hot take for you. I think if you swapped Pierce for Wade, Pierce would have 3 rings.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

It depends bc Miami fast break and trap scheme was their play style. I don't think they were a top offense despite talent. Ie lbj is Simmons lol. Pierce and LBJ wouldn't be the best half court team unless pierce just camps for him

[@expiredmilk5435]

​@@chauvintookaknee4blm268I think it could've worked bc LeBron can adapt to many other players play styles. He can run and dunk with wade or use his elite passing abilities to kick it out to pierce. It would kinda feel like how dame and giannis are rn

[@the_Sage71]

So you think Pierce could have taken over the series against Dallas in 2006? That Heat team needed Wade to put them on his back. Shaq wasn't dominant at that stage of his career. I wouldn't say Pierce wasn't capable of carrying the load and he was certainly clutch but I'd have to see it.

[@d.ferris3964]

I’ll do you one better, Pierce wouldn’t have let Lebron sink against Dallas 😮…Pierce might have more than Wade quite frankly. More so, if no injuries happen in Boston, I think Boston wins 3 years in a row.

[@the_Sage71]

@d.ferris3964 2011 Wade was the best player on the floor in that finals. I'll throw some coal in the fire....Pierce was the Truth if you put PP or DWade on that Laker squad that lost to Detroit in 04 in place of Kobe. LA wins in 4 or 5 games easily.

[@blue-phoenix115]

"Chasing that farewell tour! They don't love you like that. You thought you was Kobe? You ain't Kobe."

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

No one loves gorilla green either

[@CrazyxEnigma]

That about sums it up. Pierce thinks he was on that level and he wasn't. Deep down he knows and that's why it hurt him.

[@clevisbernier8973]

what a classless thing to say. Such a Loser .

[@watchful-i]

PP was lethal but in the clutch. Those pull up midrange jumpers near the elbow were daggers!

[@lamontejamison302]

Pierce had the utmost self confidence & swag! Covered up alot of his weaknesses (defense and a superior type of athleticism) Dude was bold to go up against the (2) very best perimeter players of the 2000 era in LeBron James & Kobe... And dude won (1) should have won atleast one more in my opinion because that Game 7 2010 NBA Finals (the second half in particular) wasn't called fair by the referees You look at the other stars of that era Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Steve Nash, Steve Francis, even Brandon Roy etc etc Those guys couldn't get it done, so I give Pierce credit in making the necessary sacrifices and adjustments to attain Championship 🏆 Glory✨ Sidenote: with Doc Rivers as coach in 2008 too... And held on to something close to a 3-1 series lead on Kobe's Lakers '08 NBA Finals☺️☺️

[@DeeReeseBeats]

He didn't get the nickname "The Truth" for nothing

[@drainovano2244]

Top 6 Celtic. Best SF of the 2000s and top 6 clutch player in the history of the league.

[@noahhayden6256]

In Celtic history, he’s probably Larry Bird’s backup at the small forward position. Pretty good pot to be in

[@loso1777]

I remember pierce outperforming lebron many times in the playoffs, and he was half his speed and athleticism. He was a smart NBA player.

[@GiriRam]

I think Pierce is way underrated. He is the only player to poop the pants and take a wheelchair in middle of the Finals game man. He was legendary. He is the GOAT

[@Lukas38104]

great video, thank you!

[@kenari5763]

When you made the video on Ray Allen, I wrote that he had the prettiest and most consistent jump shot ever. Funny that you would do a video on Pierce next because his jump shot is one of the most inconsistent I have seen. Not in the sense that he was streaky, but in the sense that it looked different almost every time. I don’t understand how so many of them went in. Great player, though.

[@southwest1988]

Paul Pierce had some moves and you couldn’t do nothing about it he always getting the shot off and will make it he The TRUTH !!!!!

[@EliCarlos-mv2iv]

Pierce and Bron were battling for best SF in the game during the 2000s

[@blakeleonard3990]

You should make more videos about the current nba during the season, there’s a lot of great topics/ new information that I think a lot of people would want to hear your opinion on.

[@MORON_Gaming]

Amazing title

[@uriel7940]

One of my all time favorite players

[@Spaghettineck]

This is an excellent video

[@Freethinkerfranceofficial]

Every late 90's to early 2000s basketball fans knew that Pierce was legit the truth until the pooping incident happened! 😂😂😂

[@williamcorliss3664]

Just wanna help the video 🎉🎉🎉

[@klicknkreate7077]

Paul Pierce would've been great in any era. 💯🔥

[@deebee8825]

He was always in my top 5 players when he was with Boston. Way underrated, I saw him go toe to toe with LeBron and other greats. Not super flashy but man I used to love watching him play.

[@terencemackay1990]

The truth About The truth is The truth 🙂

[@rybread1727]

I remember seeing a youtube video years ago that showed doo doo stains on Pierce's shorts in that 2008 finals Wheelchair Game. They were only visible from the low angle replays but they were definitely visible. Bro was literally shidding on the Lakers

[@vineelkesavarapu5736]

I love the title. It's funny

[@tylerbuck9347]

Hehehe

[@theflesh9005]

@@tylerbuck9347Michael Jackson?

[@danpierce8862]

The two are rather comparable, yet played different roles on a basketball court. Depending on the era of basketball, either Pierce or Wade could have the edge. I think people are more effected by the legacy each player leaves behind with their team. Wade is definitely more influential to Miami when compared to Pierce being influential to boston. Mainly because Boston has Bird, Russel, and SO many others. Thats like a yankees hof outfielder who isnt Babe Ruth saying "i am better than Ichiro" People might dissagree more strongly because Ichiro is much more iconic for Seattle.

[@nicoli-thenextup9866]

4:24 😂anyone notice glen davis damn near trying to lick the trophy

[@HugoSoup57]

Dwayne Wade was better and had a better career, but Paul Pierce is still a legend and deserves to be in the top 75.

[@alejanoelallen1952]

🏀

[@southwest1988]

Paul Pierce is indeed better individual player than Wade , Wade had Shaq and then Lebron, Paul is more clutch and more efficient than Wade, Wade had a lot of help with officials in 2006 in the nba finals series

[@clevisbernier8973]

Paul Pierce is statistically the most clutch player in NBA history. Look it up.

[@gotwobag7876]

Good afternoon 👍👍👍

[@Recovery305]

Paul Pierce is an all-time great, but he's not one of those "inner cicle" Hall of Famers.

[@PhillipCummingsUSA]

Modern fans believe the 90s players were plumbers. WFT do they know?

[@jordansmart2973]

I don’t think a compelling argument could be made to rank him outside of the top 3 Celtics of all time

[@wizard1687]

A compelling argument could be made he's not top 10

[@unclegreenskatesoda9570]

Russell, Bird, Havlicek, Pierce. That's the Boston Mt Rushmore.

[@kobischpiek8520]

Cousy > Pierce

[@ibnzuhr8722]

One of the very best to ever do it. Also, one of the best clutch players of all time.

[@chillmyninja4622]

Ridiculous analyst, ridiculously underrated player.

[@leosmit8612]

0:53 with skinny suge over there lol

[@august6281]

As a player, he's The Truth. As a new media, he's The Goofy. though he really starter the side-stepback 3, though not as spamming as Harden.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

T Mac and Kobe did that in their primes too. I don't remember pierce doing it. Price used to hop into it after a screen. Pretty sure Reggie had some

[@kalohr]

Pierce < theFlash but theTruth > Wade they are very comparable, both absolutely both spectacular and frightening in their prime

[@ATroubledGreensLibrary]

🎉❤

[@winstonmiu]

I think he’s a better comparison to Luka than bird. Both are stocky 6’7 scorers that don’t rely on outright athleticism to get to their spots.

[@fullmetal1766]

I wasnt on wades level but he was also an elite scorer

[@nuN00b666]

Both player struggled without other stars and the truth is Wade had way better stars around him and at an earlier point in his career, which definitely helped him develop better and in his FMVP run he had the 2nd highest FTA per game in a finals series (16.2) and the 2nd most FTA in a single finals game (25) (most made 21). Scoring wise they were pretty equal, Wade shot more drove more to the rim and got more calls, Pierce was more efficient, really just a matter of playstyle. Playmaking Wade has a small edge I think, neither were much of passers for the majority of their careers. Defense Wade gets a clear edge, I mean 2nd most bpg (most total) by a guard says it all. Impact wise Pierce had the longer career obviously ending with more WS and higher VORP. WS/48 they are pretty equal but BPM, which says the most I think, Wade clears Pierce. Wade is a better player and there is not much to debate about, but they are closer than most people think and admit. Wade having the better players around him, being on a much more liked team and not being so obsessed with himself definitely helps the narrative that he is far better than Pierce.

[@the_Sage71]

Both players struggled without other stars? They didn't struggle individually. There teams couldn't contend without some balance. You can say that about Kobe as well and all of them.

[@ktapreswreckd921v9]

Pierce is right behind Larry as a scorer for the Celtics. And I do think that Pierce was a more complete scorer than Wade.

[@Lloyd00]

He was awesome but hes been diminished recently because he keeps saying stupid stuff and doing stupid stuff

[@jordanjenkins1671]

The difference between Pierce and Wade's resumes IS as large as people perceive it to be, and it's laughable to hear it's not. Compare them side by side and remove their rings and FMVPs, and Wade STILL accomplished more and was a top 5 MVP vote getter twice in his prime too. Pierce never made higher than 7th in MVP votes, and that was the only time he was ever single-digit in ranking.

[@JimBrave-ri1oc]

Piece wasn't talking about resumes he was saying who is better on the Block when your team needs a basket.

[@neboyshanicolich761]

Pierce better than D-Wade. But not by much...they are comparable.

[@kgothatsomoepi4955]

I am the system

[@Fixundfertig1]

Shaq as sharp as always 😂

[@justjacksmusic2106]

D wyade is a 2 gaurd and the truth is a SF

[@andresdelportillo9917]

Pierce has more career steals, blocks, rebounds , points, than overrated wade

[@DCANNONSTEPSBYKE]

Bro might’ve said some funny memes but don’t get it twisted, bro was a high tier player in the NBA!!

[@randysandberg5615]

Nope. If you have to hype yourself you aren't the best.

[@ardinhajihil5011]

he always plays his best games when he is against lebron, it shows how competitive he is there is a saying they may have the king, but we got the truth on our side

[@Arcanenix]

Ariza and Bynum not hurt in 08 the lakers win it all

[@shermanglenn3926]

I always regretted that the Sixers took Larry Hughes ahead of Pierce. What would have happened if he and Iverson were paired together instead of Hughes and Iverson? But this is the same organization that moved up from 3 to 1 to take Markelle Fultz over Jayson Tatum…hence the Celtics have these all time great players and the 76ers… not so much…much love to the Truth! Paul Pierce was the Truth!

[@the_Sage71]

To be honest AI as talented as he was never showed the ability to blend with another scorer to have a strong offense. That's pretty why Larry Brown built that 2001 team the way he did. It was AI and 4 other guys to crashed the boards, play D and pass it back to Alan. They had Jerry Stackhouse before that.

[@wc4201]

Paul was a poor defender. It’s why people overlooked him. Half the game is played on the defensive end… most people have a similar top 10 ever list… everyone on that list probably is at least a very good defender.

[@andrewchester3527]

A better scorer from 3 than anywhere else on the court. Ultimately an all star but with only 3 3rd team and 1 2nd team all nba awards, zero top 5 finishes in mvp voting, hardly any top 10 finishes, and although he won the finals mvp it was clear to me as a viewer that KG was the most impactful player in their championship run. I also think the injury to Bynum in 08 was way more significant than Perkins in 10, wouldn’t be so quick to assume they would’ve won those titles against Kobe. I would rank him around KD on the all time list of SFs (y’all REALLY overrate Durant)

[@anthonyhernandez2111]

people now adays run with social media narratives like wildfire. just cuz maybe he wasnt as good as Wade does not mean he was a scrub in any way shape or form!! its ridiculous. and not being "athletic" is overrated af

[@Tm_Martishius]

He's one of the players in Celtics history

[@BrennanEnke]

i feel like people say that hes bad/overrated but people just dont like him because of the wade comparison

[@elvisp116]

I hated him as a child cause he used to cook all my heroes. Then I matured into a man and I respect the shit outta Pierce. He was a dog fr

[@leosmit8612]

Why you not commenting on minutes played? Paul minutes are crazy

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

0:28 he said he had a better career which he did. Wade had better help for more years than paul did. Also better career per expectations no doubt it's Pierce. Our generation is too fragile to have these conversations. Whoever is the anointed legend like Curry lbj mahomes you're not allowed to rewrite their legacies w truth or context.

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

A criticism for curry was he always had better teams and look how the past 2 years he gets every excuse now that his team isn't clearly the best. Same w mahomes was happening. Wade have a better career bc of prime help but when we factor in the expectations at draft and then the help and all that pierce by far. I only need one of factors to give it to pierce Kawhi vs curry and lbj and kd isn't a shocker to anyone who watched this era. That will be a hated opinion too watch

[@ammonhurst3026]

How is Wade 'so much' better than Pierce? Wade was better defense, Pierce the better scorer. Pierce did more by himself, Wade didn't do much by himself. Is Pierce's comment, other than self proclaimed, really that much of a hot take?

[@thatguywesmaranan]

as a player, one of the best... as an "analyst", 😂😂😂

[@NHRebelsthoughts]

Pierce could play make no doubt about it

[@randallsosa5990]

Pierce > Wade 🤷🏿‍♂️🎯💯

[@jiby911]

Tony battie the real mvp, so we got to witness his legendary career 🙌

[@elpedromoin]

For me, both Paul and Wade are A tier players, but paul is a low A and Wade a top A

[@averyce2]

Paul Pierce was a Pitbull on offense and a pure clutch shooter. I would love to have him on his team coming off the bench and leading the 2nd team. The Truth is easily a Top 10, maybe Top 5 Celtic: 1. Bill Russell 2. Larry Bird 3. John Havlicek 4. Dave Cowens 5. Kevin McHale 6. Paul Pierce 7. Bob Cousy 8. Robert Parish 9. Sam Jones 10. Dennis Johnson

[@chauvintookaknee4blm268]

Ainge deserved credit bc he made 3top tier teams after he played. Pierce Zeke Tatum

[@clevisbernier8973]

oof. MVP Bob Cousy at 7th?

[@moety2]

Paul makes sense. You switch him out for Wade and he’s not winning? Overall Wade is the better basketball player because of his defense. But it’s not by much.

[@AxelPRC]

Paul Pierce devalued his own legacy by talking himself up so much. Hes a legend but people look at him like a joke

[@tuxedoebonyx]

He was better than D-Wade in my opinion. He had no offensive weaknesses, and was a solid defender on A1 talent wade could guard as an undersized 2

[@bsjeffrey]

meadowlark lemon is the goat.

[@SelfResearchedNBAFacts]

He's top 75 and deservedly so. But lets not blow it out of proportion. He's not top 25, probably just inside the top 50

[@randybell101190]

Pierce is the GOAT

[@michaelsloane9955]

Paul Pierce is legitimately a top 10 small forward of all time. My top 7 in order are LeBron, Bird, KD, Dr. J, Hondo, Elgin Baylor, and Rick Barry. 8-10 is a 5 horse race between Kawai, Big Game James, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony, and Dominque Wilkins. Ultimately, I'll go Kawai at 8, Big Game James at 9, and Pierce, at 10 with all 3 getting a boost from their Finals MVPs. As far as the Boston Celtics go. Russell and Bird are the clear cut top 2. Hondo is clearly 3. I'd put Cousy at 4 because 8 assist titles has to count for something. It's between McHale and Pierce for 5. I'll go with Pierce here, again with his Finals MVP carrying some weight. He's NOT better then Dwayne Wade. Wade is the 4th best shooting guard of all time behind only MJ, Kobe, and Jerry West. Wade is a top 25 player of all time and Pierce is not. However, Pierce is INDISPUATABLY a top 75 player of all time and arguably top 50. As noted in the video, 2001-2003 Pierce was the best Pierce. It's worth noting that Pierce was twice a Big 12 Tournament MVP at Kansas so he often played his best when it mattered most between the Finals MVP and 2 Big 12 Tournament MVPs.

[@kevinhouse4376]

@michaelsloane9955 Great post! As a Celtics fan since at least 1970 (born in '62), I thank you for placing John Havlicek among the top five small forwards. He is vastly underrated these days and does indeed belong just below Julius Erving. I would have Hondo at five or six depending on whether one considers Elgin a small forward (although only 6-5, I believe he played at power forward for much of his career). And yes, Rick Barry would be next. I also agree with your top four Celtics players, but I think you also could argue for Dave Cowens (another seriously underrated player)at five or six. Finally, it will be interesting to see how Jayson Tatum fares during the rest of his career.

[@fredflux2738]

Paul was a far better scorer, defensively he was fine but it’s a wash anyways. Pierce was a 3 and Wade a 2- put then both out there.