Paul Pierce Responds to LeBron, Calls Himself ‘The Finest Pure-Scorer’ Ever

Paul Pierce carried immense confidence all through his 19-year NBA profession. He needed to, with a purpose to maintain his function as a lead scorer and an elite shot-maker. That self-assurance, although, hasn’t wavered since he retired. 

So, when LeBron James known as present Houston Rockets wing Kevin Durant the “most-equipped” scorer in NBA historical past, Pierce had one thing to say about that.

“I must be on this dialog,” Pierce mentioned, addressing James’ feedback on the most recent episode of his Fox Sports activities 1 present, “Communicate”, “I used to be in all probability the very best pure-scorer ever within the historical past of the league… I used to be fairly outfitted once I give it some thought.”

Pierce has some extent. He averaged 19.7 factors over his profession, and 20 or extra in eight separate seasons. He totaled the 18th most factors in NBA historical past. So, like he said, he ought to actually be on this dialog.

However, extra outfitted than Durant? The most effective pure-scorer ever? 

Now, these are some daring claims. 

In a straight comparability to Durant, it would not appear very shut. Durant, who remains to be energetic within the NBA and capable of put the ball within the basket in addition to he ever as, has wanted two fewer seasons than Pierce to grow to be the NBA’s eighth-leading scorer of all time. If he performs no less than 60 video games this upcoming season, it is fairly seemingly he jumps Wilt Chamberlain and Dirk Nowitzki to assert the sixth spot, and he may even rival Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to interrupt into the highest 5 earlier than it is all mentioned and achieved. 

Pierce’s greatest scoring marketing campaign was in the course of the 2005-2006 season when he averaged 26.8 factors per sport. Durant has topped that mark in eight separate seasons. 

Durant additionally scores at a extra environment friendly charge than Pierce did, as his profession field-goal proportion is 50.2% whereas Pierce’s was 44.5%. 

It is a standard perception that Durant is the very best pure-scorer of all-time due to mentioned effectivity, and his potential to do it in any respect three ranges. He pulls up from deep, comes off ball screens and down screens to shoot off the catch, and makes use of his size to drive to the basket — doing all with ease. 

On “Communicate”, Pierce’s co-host Keyshawn Johnson introduced all of this up, pushing again on Pierce’s self-acclaim. Pierce accepted the argument and rebutted by explaining how Durant’s size and peak gave him a bonus over Pierce, resulting in his larger effectivity.

“I shot extra dangerous photographs than Kevin,” Pierce mentioned. “As a result of he is 7-feet, he can get his shot off over anyone.”

So, that is the place the “most-equipped” debate comes into play. 

Pierce is saying, other than the effectivity and the stats, he was “outfitted” to attain in each means Durant does, however extra so. 

“May you pull up from the elbow, may you knock down the three, may you turn-around, may you dunk?” Johnson requested Pierce.

“I may do all of it,” Pierce mentioned.

Whereas the numbers do not again up Pierce’s declare that he was a greater pure-scorer than Durant, it is truthful for him to assume he is the “more-equipped” or equally so. He is assured in his sport, and the legacy he left within the NBA along with his scoring chops. 

“Shoot, you gotta put me in that dialog if you discuss in regards to the most-equipped scorers,” Pierce mentioned. “C’mon Bron.”

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