Pierce: "I was better than D Wade"

[Triplenickle]

It's probably because nobody ever gives him his due with all of the Celtic hate  everyone has. We still don't get any foul calls because of it.

The best thing about Paul's game was his ability to play big when he needed. That's why whenever he had a decent team, he got the better of all the guards.

Wade, Vince, Kobe, Lebron, all of them. They may have been a lil more athletic but Paul always had the more versatile skill set.

The same thing that separates Jordan from Kobe...the ability to rebound and defend with the bigs when they needed to.  The muscle. His arms were long like a big guy anyway.

[KGs Knee]

Wade clearly reached a higher peak, but Pierce has a pretty favorable career comparison due to being better longer into his career.

[feckless]

At no point in their careers would I have traded Paul Pierce for Dwyane Wade, straight up.  I always, considered Paul the better player.

[Tr1boy]

Paul shhhh

What is the point of this

Pierce at times seems like such a limelight hog

My theory is that he gets a bit bored and just loves to stir the pot. Or at least that's what I like to believe

Seems like it

Trash talking until the end

Imagine once a very old man at his death bed...his final words

"I was better than Jord..."

[rondofan1255]

He says a lot of stuff now that he’s on ESPN, like overrating his ballhandling lol

[nickagneta]

Here are their career stats compared to each other presented as is and not the disingenuous way they were presented earlier in the thread:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Paul+Pierce&player_id1_select=Paul+Pierce&y1=2017&player_id1=piercpa01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Dwyane+Wade&player_id2_select=Dwyane+Wade&y2=2019&player_id2=wadedw01&idx=players

As can be seen, Wade took more shots so scored slightly more. Pierce was a slightly better rebounder, Wade the slightly better passer. Pierce the more efficient scorer overall, better free throw shooter and better outside shooter. Wade was better shooting within the three point line. Their defense was both very good.

Their per36, per 100 poss, and playoff numbers are all similar.

Big difference between them is Pierce played 300 more regular season games. If Pierce retired 4 years earlier, the games would be similar and his per game numbers probably would be better.

Personally, I am not sure I can objectively say one was better than the other.

[Ogaju]

Here are their career stats compared to each other presented as is and not the disingenuous way they were presented earlier in the thread:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.fcgi?request=1&sum=1&player_id1_hint=Paul+Pierce&player_id1_select=Paul+Pierce&y1=2017&player_id1=piercpa01&idx=players&player_id2_hint=Dwyane+Wade&player_id2_select=Dwyane+Wade&y2=2019&player_id2=wadedw01&idx=players

As can be seen, Wade took more shots so scored slightly more. Pierce was a slightly better rebounder, Wade the slightly better passer. Pierce the more efficient scorer overall, better free throw shooter and better outside shooter. Wade was better shooting within the three point line. Their defense was both very good.

Their per36, per 100 poss, and playoff numbers are all similar.

Big difference between them is Pierce played 300 more regular season games. If Pierce retired 4 years earlier, the games would be similar and his per game numbers probably would be better.

Personally, I am not sure I can objectively say one was better than the other.

So even by your own analysis Pierce was not better than Wade. At best they were the same. This is even by your own analysis which conveniently does not include championships and individual awards. Pierce did not have a better career than Wade, Pierce was not better than Wade, And I cannot stand Wade.

[nickagneta]

So even by your own analysis Pierce was not better than Wade. At best they were the same.

I never said Pierce was better than Wade and I never said Wade was better Pierce. Looking at the numbers and going off memory from their games, yes, I have concluded they are about the same.

This is even by your own analysis which conveniently does not include championships and individual awards.

So yes, I did conclude the players are about equal. I didn't conveniently leave anything out. I just showed the numbers as they actually are and not some worked numbers.

Not sure why the aggression in your post. So you think Wade is better. Great. Others think Pierce better. Great. I think they are about even. Also, great.

[Ogaju]

So even by your own analysis Pierce was not better than Wade. At best they were the same.

I never said Pierce was better than Wade and I never said Wade was better Pierce. Looking at the numbers and going off memory from their games, yes, I have concluded they are about the same.

This is even by your own analysis which conveniently does not include championships and individual awards.

So yes, I did conclude the players are about equal. I didn't conveniently leave anything out. I just showed the numbers as they actually are and not some worked numbers.

Not sure why the aggression in your post. So you think Wade is better. Great. Others think Pierce better. Great. I think they are about even. Also, great.

my apologies if I seem aggressive. My take on this is against Pierce's declaration that he was better. There just isnt evidence to support such a definite declaration. The focus of this thread should be was Pierce definitely better than Wade. I truly believe the answer to that question should  be, no.

[JBcat]

If I had to choose Wade at his absolute best probably his 2008 season when he averaged 30 a game verses Pierce’s absolute best (maybe his 05-06 season when he averaged 26.8?) I’d have to choose Wade, but overall career it’s very close.

I think if roles were reversed and Pierce played with Shaq, then later with LeBron he might have 3 championships too.  Pierce could have  had 3 anyway if KG never gets hurt his 2nd year here, and if 2010 went the other way at the end of the finals. Imagine if Pierce, Allen, and KG got together in their mid 20’s.

[playdream]

PP is being underrated because people only looks at their team achievement, he is clearly a better player then wade, more versatile, more clutch, more team oriented with better leadership, it's their other teammates that makes the difference, Wade is blessed to play with Shaq and LBJ in his prime, it' a shame our own fanbase doesn't appreciate him

[nickagneta]

So even by your own analysis Pierce was not better than Wade. At best they were the same.

I never said Pierce was better than Wade and I never said Wade was better Pierce. Looking at the numbers and going off memory from their games, yes, I have concluded they are about the same.

This is even by your own analysis which conveniently does not include championships and individual awards.

So yes, I did conclude the players are about equal. I didn't conveniently leave anything out. I just showed the numbers as they actually are and not some worked numbers.

Not sure why the aggression in your post. So you think Wade is better. Great. Others think Pierce better. Great. I think they are about even. Also, great.

my apologies if I seem aggressive. My take on this is against Pierce's declaration that he was better. There just isnt evidence to support such a definite declaration. The focus of this thread should be was Pierce definitely better than Wade. I truly believe the answer to that question should  be, no.

Well then we agree because, no I do not see evidence that Pierce was definitely better than Wade. But, since I don't see there being definitely better, one than the other, if someone wants to claim either Wade or Paul are better, I have no problem with people having either view.

And I certainly have no problem with Pierce feeling he is better than Wade. I would expect that.

So here is a cool exercise. If 5 Pierces play 5 Wades, who wins?

Because of the outside shooting and better rebounding I go with the 5 Pierces.

[Ogaju]

Great question.... who coaches the teams... will the coach call PP isos?

I still go with 5 Wades too much athleticism and 3 pt shots. Besides the Wades will hurt the Pierces. How many wheelchairs will the Pierce team need. lol.

[mr. dee]

Great question.... who coaches the teams... will the coach call PP isos?

I still go with 5 Wades too much athleticism and 3 pt shots. Besides the Wades will hurt the Pierces. How many wheelchairs will the Pierce team need. lol.

Wade always had a questionable 3-point shot. The reason why the Heat Big 3 didn't work out initially was because both Wade and Lebron were both ball-dominant. Pierce can play on and off the ball. Celtics ran curl actions with Ray and Pierce on the perimeter. Wade always had to dribble the ball to create separation from defenders.

[SHAQATTACK]

Well I was too

at Math .