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Paul Pierce is no stranger to saying ridiculous things. In fact, the Basketball Hall of Famer is as much known for his ridiculous hot takes these days as he is for his remarkable NBA career.
But his latest take, which unsurprisingly involves LeBron James, may be his most ridiculous one yet.
Pierce went on Fox Sports’ Undisputed on Friday morning and took credit for LeBron James becoming one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
"I truly feel responsible for taking LeBron to that next level." – Paul Pierce pic.twitter.com/53VHuVRzAv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 12, 2024
“I truly feel responsible for taking LeBron to that, taking him to that next level” Pierce said as co-host Keyshawn Johnson looked on in unamused fashion. “Because when he went to Miami, Game 5, Game 6 in Boston when we had him on the ropes to go back to the (NBA) Finals, I think that was the game that took LeBron to the next level.”
Of course, Pierce then deflected when asked if he was the one actually guarding James.
“It wasn’t a lot against me,” he told Skip Bayless. “I was a little older, so we switched off a little. I guarded him a half. Brandon Bass was guarding him. But, I think that, right there, Game 6, I believe it was his first year in Miami, we (were) up 3-2 at home to go to the Finals, and that’s when it took him to the next level.”
Sure, Paul.
Notably, this comes just months after Pierce suggested that LeBron James may have voted for him as the best player in NBA history.
“What if LBJ voted for me? I did play against him, He must think something. What do you think about that? We had a lot of battles. We had some tough battles. It could’ve been (LeBron James)!” Pierce said at the time.
There’s the irrational confidence needed to be a sports superstar. Then there’s whatever planet Paul Pierce lives on.
Meanwhile, ratings for FS1’s Undisputed hit new lows seemingly every day. We can’t imagine why.