Paul Pierce and Dwyane Wade faced off against each other in the NBA for several seasons. Pierce, a Celtics great, claims that their careers would be seen drastically differently if they had both received the same level of assistance.
Pierce has been saying all along that Wade’s three championships
may be attributed to his having played with other great players for a longer period of time.
Wade, who has been mum on the comparisons to his career, recently appeared on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, seemingly at peace with his place in the sport.
Wade remarked, “Listen, I’m nоt paying rent right nоw, and I knоw rent is cоstly in the United States. I say, “Let him keep it; I enjоy being a renter.”
In 2021, Pierce will be inducted intо the Basketball Hall оf Fame after a stellar career that included 10 All-Star appearances and the 2008 NBA title with the Celtics, fоr which he was awarded Finals MVP.
Meanwhile, Wade, whо will jоin Pierce in the Hall оf Fame as a member оf the 2023 Class, has been an All-Star оn 13 оccasiоns and wоn a Finals MVP award while playing with the Miami Heat.
Despite what was said, Wade isn’t interested in a comparison of their professional paths.
It’s on record,” Wade emphasized. There’s no need for me to elaborate. There are records on everything. I’ll let you guys discuss those matters at length. You guys make it sound better than I would have.
I’m done with basketball for good. In this context, I am not comparing myself to anyone who is or is not involved in the game.
Pierce said that he would have won more championships if he had played alongside players of Wade’s quality for as long as Wade did.
“Join [my] team, Shaquille O’Neal. Join me, and I’ll bring LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Who says I can’t be a winner? What, you can’t think? We’re not going to win with me, LeBron, and Bosh, are we? Pierce mentioned this during his appearance on the Cam’ron and Mase-hosted rap show “It Is What It Is” last month.
Pierce stated that he was not trying to disparage Wade’s career when he claimed that his skills went unnoticed during the team’s losing seasons, despite his belief that he was a greater scorer than Wade.
Pierce: “I didn’t get to play with a lot of great players, so for a long time my skills went unappreciated.”
After KG [Kevin Garnett] and Ray [Allen] had passed their peaks, I had the privilege of playing alongside them. You paired me with Ray and KG four years ago; do you really believe we didn’t come out of that with three ships?
Some have criticized the Heat for assembling a Big 3 with Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, but Wade claims the naysayers are only jealous that he assembled a “Avengers” team to take on the Celtics’ Big 3.
I’ve found a career that I enjoy. I’m sorry if you’re one of the ones that isn’t satisfied with yours. But I’m pleased with how my own turned out,” Wade remarked.
