Paul Pierce once again made headlines post-retirement defending his NBA career. This time, it was because Pierce spoke about his career in comparison to Heat legend Dwyane Wade. Pierce pointed out Wade had more Hall of Fame teammates like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal throughout his career, giving him more opportunities to pick up championships.
“Put Shaq on my team. Put LeBron and (Chris) Bosh with me. I’m not gonna win one?” Pierce said on rappers Cam’Ron and Mase’s “It Is What It Is” talk show recently. “Put me, LeBron and Bosh, we not gonna win a couple?”
Pierce also said he was the better player than Wade, which isn’t the first time he’s made that claim in retirement. Wade won three titles during his career in 2006, 2012 and 2013, all with the Heat, as he enjoyed a prolific career. Pierce won it all in 2008 with the Celtics, teaming up with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to earn a title in their first season together in Boston.
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After making some waves, Pierce backtracked on his Wade comments, taking to Twitter early Monday.
“I never compared myself to (Dwyane) wade I was ask a question how would u answer if u was me I would never disrespect him he is an all time great,” Pierce wrote on Twitter. “All I’m saying is the narrative surrounding me would be different if I was lucky enough to play with all timers earlier in my career.”
In the tweet, Pierce pointed out to some other talented players who never got the postseason accolades in their careers. Pierce specifically called out Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Grant Hill and Chris Webber — many of whom failed to make consistent deep playoff runs, much less earn multiple rings.
Pierce’s point was that many of those star players weren’t able to team up with Hall of Famers in comparison to Wade, who played with stars in his career. Of course, Pierce did immediately win a ring once he got a talented roster around him with Garnett and Allen. The Celtics weren’t able to win a second ring, though, between injuries and the trio of Garnett, Allen and Pierce eventually getting older.
“Is (Wade’s) resume better?” Pierce wrote. “(Of course) but this not about me comparing myself to him it’s just Goat players out there where the narrative would be different if given same type of teammates … D-Wade much respect that’s not what I’m on.”
