LeBron James: Paul Pierce has been my biggest rival

[albas89]

http://nesn.com/2013/06/lebron-james-says-paul-pierce-is-biggest-rival-if-i-had-to-name-just-one-guy/

He mentions that Celtics, and more specifically Paul Pierce, have been his biggest rivals throughout his career. No mention of Kobe.

Even though I hate LeBron in general, this quote makes him slightly more likable to me...

Having said that, GO SPURS!!!

[lightspeed5]

its true, and everyone who isnt delusional would admit it. there was a thread on realgm about whos lebrons biggest rival, and virtually noone but a the celtics fans said paul pierce.

[pearljammer10]

Thats great. I love it.

[bdm860]

I'm surprised there's any debate on this.

LeBron and Pierced have faced off 55 times total (regular season + playoffs), with it being neck and neck with a 28-27 record.  15-15 in the regular season, 13-12 in the playoffs with the edge to LeBron.

LeBron's teams have faced Pierce's in the playoffs 4 times in 6 years, with 2 series going 7 games, and 1 going 6.


LeBron has only ever been in four Game 7's. Two were against Pierce.

Has LeBron faced any other All-Star as often in the playoffs?


On the flip side, Kobe and Lebron have faced off only 19 times total, with LeBron going 13-6 over Kobe, and they have never met in the playoffs.  Why would Kobe be a rival?


LeBron vs Pierce record and stats
LeBron vs Kobe record and stats

[albas89]

I'm surprised there's any debate on this.

LeBron and Pierced have faced off 55 times total (regular season + playoffs), with it being neck and neck with a 28-27 record.  15-15 in the regular season, 13-12 in the playoffs with the edge to LeBron.

LeBron's teams have faced Pierce's in the playoffs 4 times in 6 years, with 2 series going 7 games, and 1 going 6.


LeBron has only ever been in four Game 7's. Two were against Pierce.

Has LeBron faced any other All-Star as often in the playoffs?


On the flip side, Kobe and Lebron have faced off only 19 times total, with LeBron going 13-6 over Kobe, and they have never met in the playoffs.  Why would Kobe be a rival?


LeBron vs Pierce record and stats
LeBron vs Kobe record and stats

Absolutely. Other than playing multiple times against each other every year, those two have offered us some of the greatest duels in recent years, with Game 7 of 2008 ECSF being an all-time classic:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GD5iORpV3pY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa385YsK8HQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPSLmwuQbAU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_uulujs-MM

[LarBrd33]

I feel like this is a quote from when LeBron played on the Cavs and Boston was an actual threat.  Did he say it again recently?

[SparzWizard]

No doubt about it.

LeBron vs Pierce and Celtics rivalry lives on in the East! It's one of the classics.

We don't see much on LeBron vs Carmelo or LeBron vs Rose that often in the playoffs.

And the Celtics were the reason why LeBron took his talents to South Beach 

[timobusa]

He spoke the Truth.

See what I did there.
Lol

[Timdawgg]

for albas89's post...man I miss seeing Pierce spin in to traffic and not turning the ball over...he was so smooth in his prime with that...Father Time Sucks!

[CelticsFan9]

One matchup that never happened and that I think the NBA is worse for was LeBron vs. Wade.

I always wished Cleveland and Miami would meet in the playoffs.

And yeah, Pierce vs. LeBron is one of the greatest rivalries of the decade.

[Monkhouse]

for albas89's post...man I miss seeing Pierce spin in to traffic and not turning the ball over...he was so smooth in his prime with that...Father Time Sucks!

I would say I love seeing him spin in traffic, pump fake twice, shoot and draw the contact. Or spin in traffic, pump fake twice, and then do a step back jumper. Almost impossible to guard without doubling or fouling.

[fairweatherfan]

I'm surprised there's any debate on this.

LeBron and Pierced have faced off 55 times total (regular season + playoffs), with it being neck and neck with a 28-27 record.  15-15 in the regular season, 13-12 in the playoffs with the edge to LeBron.

LeBron's teams have faced Pierce's in the playoffs 4 times in 6 years, with 2 series going 7 games, and 1 going 6.


LeBron has only ever been in four Game 7's. Two were against Pierce.

Has LeBron faced any other All-Star as often in the playoffs?


On the flip side, Kobe and Lebron have faced off only 19 times total, with LeBron going 13-6 over Kobe, and they have never met in the playoffs.  Why would Kobe be a rival?


LeBron vs Pierce record and stats
LeBron vs Kobe record and stats

I think fans tend to think of a rival as competition for the best player, and players tend to think of the guys they've battled against in big games.  So fans would say Kobe or maybe Durant now, whereas LeBron would say Pierce and maybe in the future Paul George or somebody.

[LooseCannon]

One definition of biggest rival would be the best player who faced Lebron in a lot of meaningful games where they often guarded each other.  Paul Pierce is the major player who regularly tangled with Lebron on both ends of the court.

It says a lot about Bird-Magic, that they were able to have one of the greatest rivalries in basketball without playing the same position.

[CelticConcourse]

It isn't new. Exactly what he said last year.

[bobbyv]

I appreciate the respect he still shows to the Celtics and PP.