Paul Pierce Says He’s The Best Player on the Planet
Best Player on the Planet?Heading into the Olympics, LeBron James was asked who he thought was the best player on the planet. Without blinking, LeBron went with Kobe. But when a Spanish reporter asked Paul Pierce that same question at a basketball camp recently, Pierce made no qualms about choosing himself.
“I don’t think Kobe is the best player. I’m the best player. There’s a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
If you’re a Celts fans, you gotta love Truth’s confidence. Over the six Finals games, he did as good a job at keeping Kobe in check as anyone has all season. Throughout the playoffs, the rim looked like a hula hoop – dude shot 53% from the field over the course of Boston’s playoff wins, tallying almost 21 points per.
The entirety of the Q&A is in Spanish, but Pierce went on to call Manu Ginobili the best foreign player in the history of the NBA, and to thank Pau Gasol for making it possible for him to win a ring.
Since hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy, Pierce has gone on an extended victory lap around the world. He admitted to elevating his party game to new heights in the month following the Finals. He’s been spotted tipping ‘em back at MMA fights, and now is speaking his mind in Spain.
Is Pierce talking crazy or is he really the best player on the planet?
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July 30th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
Matt says:
He’s beyond crazy.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
slygerogg says:
he is out of his mind
a little to drunk
July 30th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Jah says:
Depends on how you define “player” but in my humble opinion, LeBron James is the best player. He does the most, with the least.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Cavman says:
Is he even the best player on his team?
July 30th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
odonis6 says:
His game is ugly and he should keep his mouth shut before someone stabs him again
July 30th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
daquest?on says:
that larry o brien trophy is like a drug, it makes players delusional, go ask scalabrine
July 30th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Meica says:
You know what? It goes back to that, “On any given night…” phrase—on any given night almost any player can be the best. Sure, there are those that can do it more consistently than anyone else: your Jordans, your Babe Ruths, etc. but we’ve all seen Jo Schmo rookie bust out with a 50 point game and then falter in mediocrity for the rest of his career, and the point being is that in answer to your question: “Yes and No.”
Do I agree that Paul Pierce may be playing (or had been) at the top of his game? Do I have to admit that not only did Pierce go toe-to-toe, but ultimately vanquish the League’s two other premier players Kobe and LeBron?
Yes.
But must I also refuse to see that he was playing with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen where Kobe and LeBron both (and let’s finally admit it now) were playing with a cast of nobodies? Or that he was on a team that just wanted it more than anyone else?
No.
So if I had to say who would win in a straight out game of one-on-one, pure street ball, I would have a lot to consider: they’re different strengths and weaknesses, heights and quickness, etc. etc. but Pierce was playing with a lot of guts and swagger, and sometimes that is all you need. But things can change so quickly. So to answer your question:
Maybe?.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Even Celtsfan can’t defend this one.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Ding Dong We Got Big Snacks says:
Anything *is* possible then
If its true, what a punk.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
He’s the best player on the planet… Maybe if he was standing alone on Mars.
July 30th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
todd says:
And people wonder why he got stabbed
July 30th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
the_baconator says:
just ask a knicks fan. the best player on the planet is david lee
July 30th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
aap007 says:
First off anybody that playz ball….not blogging LOSERs knowz how good paule pierce is he’s a top player in the league nd thr best small forward in the league…….we don’t call hom the truth for no reason we saw him get lebron nd wen hiz team waznt showing up in the finals he came through…nobody at this time can prve him wrong…..even if he iznt on the olympic team hez the best player on the best team in th best basketball league in the world nuff sayd…………
July 30th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Joe says:
You gotta be kidding me…..the man gets a trophy with the help of two all-stars and now he thinks he is the greatest player on the planet. The man is good, but there are at least 5 guard fowards in the east that are still better than him
July 30th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
fallinup says:
“I don’t think Kobe is the best player. I’m the best player. There’s a line that separates having confidence and being conceited. I don’t cross that line but I have a lot of confidence in myself.”
Does that statement even make sense? Maybe he was just saying how confident he is in himself? This was entirely in Spanish, so maybe it was translated wrong…or the Spaniard couldn’t pick up on the slang. I’m not giving him excuses…but if this is true that he said exactly that, I’d be more mad at him for his bad use of english. LOL
July 30th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
AG says:
In all fairness, if Kobe doesn’t play with a HOF top 7 all time center, he doesn’t get 3 rings either. So you can’t really hate on Paul Pierce for his ring with KG and Jesus.
That said, he’s not even the best at his position, so no he’s not the best on the planet.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Sith Lord 24 says:
Paul is good i always thought he was underrated but better than KOBE, Toby, Mamba, deuce double-deuce, I dont think so. Kobe is the best player living PERIOD POINT BLANK, he is the only player that has 0 !! i mean 0 holes in his game.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:01 pm
Ferdiberdi says:
Don’t know what the Truth is up to with this one. I totally love his game but he’s going nowhere with those comments.
He’s part of a really dominant championship team, he’s one of the best SFs in the game, clutch player. But gotta go with Kobe or Lebron or even TD as the best.
He’s not even on the US Team. Just saying…
July 30th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
HUH!!!! says:
kobe bryant is the best player in league history not named michael jordan period.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Luigi says:
PP is beyond crazy he thnks he can say shit he wants just bkuz he shut down kobe but he does have the title so i dont blame him 4 sayn that. PP deff has SWAGGGG
but we all know its Kobe then LBJ
July 30th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
real basketball player (Beano) says:
listen, everyone that commented doesn’t know basketball because none of you clearly couldn’t have played the sport a day in your lives. if you played basketball you would understand that Paul Pierce is to big and to strong for Kobe. paul also doesn’t bite on the pump fakes that allows kobe to get to the line 15 to 20times per game.whenever paul holds kobe he does a great job on him because paul can move his feet with him and also is long enough to get a hand up and strong enough to body him. and clearly with what happened in the cavs celts series we know that paul can d up lebron by forcing bron bron to be a jump shooter. you guys must didn’t watch the ’95 mcdonalds game nor what he did at kansas nor what he did with the celts when all he had for help was antoine. and with all that being said I don’t know who the best player on the planet is.lol. but p squared is easily top 8 to 10. from 01 to 03 paul was easily top 5 to 7.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Everyone should let this man live it up.. He hasnt won squat since forever so let him sing in his cage.. ultimately he got the last laugh and he is Finals MVP so he has some right to speak.. but damn all he has been doing is talking shit since he got that ring.. Dunno but i hope he reads these.. when i first read it all i wanted to say was LOLOLOLOL in my blog but everyone got me going..
Paul Pierce can say whatever he wants because he knows he wont have to face Mamba too many times.. different conferences give you a voice sometimes.. but this is like when Willis McGahee opened his ass and came out with “im the best running back in the league”.. Its about confidence.. But he is the best player on the planet if He Is Legend LOLOLOLOLOLOL somebody get this foo a canine and his own ruined New York!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Is the current finals MVP? Yes. Is he one of the top 10 best scorers in the NBA? Arguably. Is he the best player on his team? Possibly.
His qoutes, if translated correctly and serious, are that he is the “best player”. If that’s true he should be able to beat Kobe or Lebron one-on-one. Nobody outside Celtics fans would take that bet and even most Celtic fans might not go that far.
If Cleveland or L.A. offered Lebron or Kobe straight up for Pierce, Ainge would take that faster than you could say “I’m stabbed”. So even the Celtics franchise doesn’t think he’s the best player on the planet.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Eric says:
He isn’t saying he’s the best player ever. He is saying that right now he is the best player on the planet, and he has a point. In the playoffs, he played the best ball. He shut down Kobe and the Lakers in the finals, and walked away with the finals MVP title. Once the season starts up again, he’ll have to defend his statements and prove he’s the best. Chances are that someone else is going to step up and prove they are the best on the planet though… maybe Kobe, Lebron, CP3…
July 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
AG says:
CP3 for Paul Pierce, would Ainge take that deal?
July 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Real Basketball Player
Hey Dipshit it sounds like you are actually saying Truth is better.. Its not hard to D someone up when you have FOUR other players dropping into a zone behind u everytime your guy takes a step . I’ve watched Kobe destroy Paul so instead of talking about watching shit, watch some past Celtic/Laker games..
Please and honestly i would have given the MVP trophy to Ray Allen..
And waiiiitttt a minute Paul Pierce had Big Al and STILL didnt make the playoffs so watch that shit..
And last but not least i’ve been dying to say this.. Lebron on Pierce with time running down.. Lebron (an undisciplined defender mind you) makes a reach while Pierce makes his move.. CHARGING (clearly a blocking foul).. NOW Kobe on Pierce (in LA) Kobe (all NBA first team Defense) does not reach!! Pierce (CHEAP ACTING FROM AN ALL STAR) puts his head down and runs into Kobe with some bulll shit head twitch and he gets the blocking Foul..
So its not just about whos stronger, faster.. you get help sometimes.. This foo one his ring but lets not forget the mediocrity in the East and the fact he WASNT A WINNER until KG and Ray Ray came..
Talking about watchin shit.. man we talking watchin shit ya’ll..
July 30th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
LakeShow84 says:
Shit only Kobe, Lebron and a younger Timmy D can CARRY their teams to the second round in the East.. Pierce didnt and hasnt..
July 30th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I want some of that shit PP is smoking!!!
First the fake ass leg injury, now this.
Pierce is COMPLETELY off the rez
If I ever had an ounce of respect for this dude I just lost it.
What a disgrace to LA
FUCK YOU FAT ASS!
July 30th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Who are these fools saying that nobody on this blog knows basketball because we haven’t played before? You fools better have played in the NBA or are playing now cause what makes you the authority? As far as I know Doc is the only cat on this blog who’s seen any action even close to the L.(and no college doesn’t count cause anybody with height and two feet can play college ball).
Only people who have played organized basketball would even give two shits about this blog.
Many of the best coaches, GM’s and scouts throughout the history of the NBA never played pro ball much less college so just because you play ball doesn’t mean shit.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
LakeShow84 says:
My bad real basketball player but i been hearing Bostonians run their asses (woops i mean mouths) the past two months.. sorry
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
And because some of you will hate, yes I have played organized ball both in HS and AAU nationally. No I didn’t play in college because I have realistic aspirations. But Ive known some talented players in my life and they couldn’t tell the difference between Paul Pierce and Paul Wall.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
daquest?on says:
@ Meica all that for just maybe????? @ real basketball player, wtf it sounds like you are the one who doesnt know baskeball and any real player wont call themselves real basketball player. im a kobe hater and even i wont dare say paul pierce is better than kobe… allen iverson is the best player in the world
July 30th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
daquest?on says:
@ real basketball player b4 u go saying ignorant things u better know things about the ppl who write here, i dont like to brag but i have played pro ball here in PR
July 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
se7enboy says:
whatever he smoked I want it too….
he has to be crazyyyy…!!!!….I mean, common’..the man plays with KG & ray and wins a ring and all of a sudden he’s the best????????….Mamba and lebron have reached the finals with a bunch of clowns dress as teammates…
if Kobe knows about this comments (he will) watch for him to draw a bullseye on PP, he will even take copies of the article and stick them in the walls of the gym……
thats just wrong
he must know he’s wrong
July 30th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
hahns says:
haha i like how realbasketballplayer starts by telling everyone they are wrong and then ends his post agreeing with everyone.
i think everyone here considers truth one of the top players in the league…but the best??? bro, everyone has great games. youre using the 95 mcdonalds all american game as proof someone is the best player in the league..?! hahaha, thats gota be a joke. thats just some pompous/subtle way of saying “i watched and remembered the 95 all american game.” congrats, you win the elitest sports geek award. and you use his playoff run w/ toine to justify him as the best? there are other players that have gotten farther with way worse than he had. AI and Lebron both took the crappiest teams to the finals and you got Kobe who took a bunch of nobodies to the playoffs w/ him in past years in a loaded western conference.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Ding Dong We Got Big Snacks says:
My knee hurts from reading this blog.
Just to add fuel in the fire, I hate it how PP whinces, like he’s having difficulty squeezing a fart out, whenever he makes contact on a play. I know alot of players do it, but it just seems appropriate just to add to the hate.Having said that, this might not be even true.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
Kalan F. says:
I guess Paul Pierce can say whatever he wants now that he is a champion. He was the Finals MVP, which Kobe never was. Personally, I think that Kobe is the best in the game right now, and LeBron is right after him. Paul Pierce beat both of those guys in the playoffs and played good D on both of those guys. With that said, I can’t say he is better than Kobe or LeBron. I love Paul, but at this point of his career he hasn’t matched or topped Kobe in personal achievements and LeBron will be at the same plateau once his career is over.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Simon says:
@aap007 (post #12)….
What the hell are you even trying to say? Honestly, with that kind of grammar and spelling you can’t call anyone a loser. Even if some people have poor opinions on basketball, at least they can spell. Can I ask the DIME staff to make minimum education requirements to access the site? Honestly, look at this post…
“aap007 says:
First off anybody that playz ball….not blogging LOSERs knowz how good paule pierce is he’s a top player in the league nd thr best small forward in the league…….we don’t call hom the truth for no reason we saw him get lebron nd wen hiz team waznt showing up in the finals he came through…nobody at this time can prve him wrong…..even if he iznt on the olympic team hez the best player on the best team in th best basketball league in the world nuff sayd…………”
July 30th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
dueceduece says:
#6 was brilliant.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
mike c says:
Why the f*ck is everyone saying that Pierce shut down Kobe in the Finals??
Garnett had more to do with Kobe struggling than Pierce ever did!
If Pierce was double teamed throughout the entire game and tripled in some occasions like Kobe was, I doubt if he even averages 10 points. Period.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@meica and eric
You say “he” shut Kobe and the Lakers down. You say “he” beat Kobe and Lebron. Damn give the Celtics as a team some credit. I didn’t see “he”
shut down or beat anybody single-handedly to win a chip before this season.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Celts Fan says:
Love the confidence, that’s what you want your best player to think, but he musta been a little drunk when he said that shit (all I’ve seen is pics of him partying it up in Vegas and stories of him traveling everywhere, so it’s definitely possible he hasn’t been sober since June!)
and for the record, he was in the Team USA program when they started it up, but he didn’t make the first team (tough going at the 3, being on the ’04 team at the point in his career when he’d really become a bit of a dbag and being seen as one of the “problems” on that team, probably didn’t help the cause, nor did Shane Battier sucking Coach K off til he somehow made the final team that lost in the World Championships) and was hurt last summer, so obviously you’re not gonna throw him on this team without playing a minute w/ those guys.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Drunk. Thanks Celts Fan. That’s the first truely honest post I’ve seen by somebody defending him.
July 30th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
V says:
What player isn’t gonna say thery’re the best. these are cocky basketball players we’re talking bout here, c’mon! You really think after he and his team shut down the lakers, he’s gonna go and agree “yeah, kobe’s the best” of course hes feeling himself right now cause he just won a championship. Please every baller says thery’re the best, we might disagree, but of course he’s gonna say it.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
igp says:
If you put kobe on the celts and paul on the lakers, the lakers are a lottery team and the celtics win 80 games.
I’m from boston and after watching kg say “anything is possible” and now pierce with this bullshit I have to say the only player I can really stand on the celtics is big baby davis.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
bballinca says:
I thought when you get stabbed you have blood come out not shit out your mouth.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
@igp-thats real talk
@V- youre absolutely wrong. Ive never heard ANYONE including Kobe say “I’m the best in the world”. Everyone else says Kobe is the best including Lebron. Of course he probably thinks it, but the only people arogant and dumb enough to say it are PP and Starbury.
July 30th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
KT says:
I’m a fan of the Truth, but he is not even the best player on his team. Before KG came, everybody still thought a Paul Pierce/Jesus Shuttlesworth led Celts team could still be in the lottery. I’m happy they got the ring, but don’t let yah head get big, especially if the Pistons get a hold of Josh Smith
July 30th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Ace says:
cocaine is one hell of a drug
July 31st, 2008 at 12:21 am
Promoman says:
Paul’s talking reckless. The Celtics won because they were the better team due to their arsenal. The Lakers just didn’t have the depth the Celtics had. That being said, they could afford to throw everybody at Kobe. Paul didn’t guard Kobe most of the series, James Posey did. Don’t forget that the rest of the Celtics were ready to help him in case he got broken down, which could be at any given moment, since this is Kobe we’re talking about. If Paul was the best and the only one that the Lakers had to worry about, Kobe would be asking Shaq how his ass tastes. It wasn’t long ago that people wondered if Paul even went hard 100% of the time. Don’t get me wrong, Paul’s an elite player without question.
All-Star? –Yes
All-NBA caliber?—- 2nd or 3rd team at best
MVP candidate?—- darkhorse at best
Best player in the NBA?—No.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:23 am
Logan Light says:
Strap him up… dude is certified. Nuts.
LL
July 31st, 2008 at 12:41 am
Ace says:
ok ladies and gentlemen, let’s settle this once and for all. last year, pierce has big al, wally world, and west and won a grand total of 24 games, which included an 18 game losing streak IN THE EAST!!! lebron took wally world and west to the 2nd round of the playoffs and almost beat the c’s. kobe took a starting lineup that included kwmame, luke walton, and smush parker to the playoffs every year in the WEST.
kobe and lebron are heads and shoulders above pierce
July 31st, 2008 at 1:13 am
jace says:
talkin crazy. in fact.. i dont think i like paul pierce anymore.. its when people say things like that, i want them to fail even more.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:26 am
Three Stacks says:
What’s being stabbed gotta do w/ balling skills? That’s not even close to funny. Being stabbed is not close to funny.
And the entire interview couldn’t have been in Spanish, I’m pretty sure Paul answered in English, right? I’m sure something got lost in the translation, I doubt these quotes are verbatim.
This just goes to show the media’s infatuation with Kobe Bryant. Why would the reporter ask about Kobe, who has almost nothing to do w/ Pierce being in Spain?
Boston just won a title, so he can say these kinda things. I’m sure Pierce was irritated by the Kobe question. Imagine if someone asked Antonio Margarito a few weeks from now, “Do you think Miguel Cotto is the best fighter in the world?” It’s a rough analogy, but kinda comparable.
Don’t get me wrong, Paul Pierce isn’t even close to being the best baller on the planet. Tim Duncan in his prime was the best baller on the planet. But right now, I don’t think there’s enough evidence for a unanimous “best player.” Everyone is entitled to their opinion, Pierce was just voicing his.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:31 am
Borgs says:
aap007, I think you’re the best poster in the history of cyberspace.
PP has made himself look a conceited asswipe.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:35 am
Korady says:
Wow, didn’t have to read far for people to talk about Pierce getting stabbed again. Even saw someone say Kobe was playing with nothing. Which is true, I never once heard anything about Kobe’s supporting cast being good (aka dude you’re an idiot who should never talk basketball again). Pierce isn’t crazy for saying this, simply for the fact he was the man for the team that just won the NBA Finals. Hes been underrated his whole career, between a game that isn’t as pretty as some other players and playing for teams that were completely terrible. People easily forget he could put up 25, 6 and 6 on any night before LeBron was in the league. He’s been tremendously underrated on the defensive side of the ball his whole career. Add all that in with the hate for Boston sports that’s running rampant now a days (and even more so now that the Celtics are up there with the Sox and Pats) and you shouldn’t be surprised for people to hate like crazy on Paul. Sure, Kobe and LeBron are better players, but coming off what he did in the playoffs why shouldn’t he be confident? Why shouldn’t he finally be loving life and his situation?
July 31st, 2008 at 2:07 am
Ta!ented says:
No sir. He does make a good case with his defense, offense, and consitency throughout crunch time so he aint no scrub. But this is ya first ring Paul…thats one, uno in spanish nigga, you dont become the best over one ring. Kobe been on the defensive first team I believe and I have seen Paul’s name no where on that list…ever. We know they both have offense but Kobe’s more athletic, has more rings, and has proven his dominance, defense, and ring get ability. You can say “Oh he didnt do it without Shaq” or “Kobe couldnt do without me” or “Kobe how my ass taste” lol but KG n Ray could tell Paul Pierce the same thing really, since he couldnt do it without them either…I respect him and his conifidence but he runnin his mouth a lil….plus Paul aint never drop 81, case closed.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:08 am
Phil T. Rich says:
C’mon… some peeps are now saying that Kobe had nobodies? Maybe Lebron had nobodies, but not Kobe… Gasol and Odom are very good players who had a bad series(just happened to be in the finals…) but Pierce has a point, he had to guard both of the players people say is better than him (Kobe and Lebron) and got the better out of both of them… and the One-on-One argument doesn’t work because, the best bball player has to be a good TEAM Player! that being said, let him gloat… he earned the right… The Truth hurts…
July 31st, 2008 at 2:09 am
daquest?on says:
miguel cotto IS the best boxer in the world even though he lost that fight
July 31st, 2008 at 2:09 am
Ta!ented says:
lmao aw that stab joke was low. I still dont get how you get stabbed that many times in a row though, now thas consistency damn it.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:29 am
Paul Pierce says:
im the best faker… i mean… PLAYER in the world
July 31st, 2008 at 3:08 am
What is this!? says:
Uh oh…Paul is talking smack about ya’ll boy L.A…Kobes NUT-HUGGERS unite!! LMAOOOOO!!!!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:13 am
daquest?on says:
when is the daily smack gonna be up man im waiting for to read that im bored as hell here and its hot as hell too im fucking sweating as if ive just played 3 hours of basketball
July 31st, 2008 at 3:22 am
What is this!? says:
LakeShow84 says:
“Shit only Kobe, Lebron and a younger Timmy D can CARRY their teams to the second round in the East.. Pierce didnt and hasnt”..
You forgot Iverson on your list of those people that can CARRY their team to the second round in the East as well…but anyways. I am a fan of Kobe the “player” but not the man…Lebron is a Beast…Tim Duncan is my favorite player, but do some of you forget that there are a lot of great players in the league? And while Kobe may be the best player right now (Lebron will take that title soon), he’s not the only ‘great’ player out there.
Great players have to believe in their mind that THEY are the best, otherwise why would they be considered great and why would they expect anyother person to consider them as such? In THIER reality they are the best…which is what continues to drive them and why they are in the position they are in today. With that being said…the “TRUTH” is telling a “LIE”, LMAO!!
Now, to Kobes NUT-HUGGERS…relax, Paul just came off his first championship win and his first Finals MVP as a result of his team RAPING (no pun intended) your boy Kobes team in the Finals…he’s just feeling himself right now, nothing wrong with that. Continue to celebrate Paul…you’ve earned it, don’t let them rain on your parade.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:23 am
What is this!? says:
todd says:
“And people wonder why he got stabbed”
^^ LMFAO!!!!
July 31st, 2008 at 3:31 am
terrible says:
Is he even top 5… 10?
In no order these guys can all say they are better than PP, and most have a track record to prove it.
Kobe
Lebron
DWade
Dirk
Garnett
Melo
TMac
Duncan
Iverson
Chris Paul
Dwight Howard
Arenas
July 31st, 2008 at 3:52 am
A.R. says:
Do him and Josh Howard hang out? Looks like Howard let him in on his secret stash this off season.
July 31st, 2008 at 3:55 am
kb24! says:
Wow. This fat tard is hilarious..Is he serious?? I see people say he locked down Kobe..wow really? Don’t you guys mean the CELTICS locked down kobe?? I’m a die hard Kobe fan..and I always refuse to admit kobe gets crossed…or blocked..or shut down or what not..But in the Finals he did…it was weird watching him not get anything he wanted..cause usually he does..against anyone..Pierce needs to shut his ass up. I lost a whole lot of respect for him after this..I never liked him but i respected the game he has..but not after this..Kobe would never have a 20 Win Season like “the best player in the world” Pierce had.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:11 am
Ernesto says:
It don’t matter if you are the best in the world, you don’t openly say so, especially if you haven’t been directly asked. Where’s the modesty and respect for others?
terrible, there’s no way Melo’s a top tenner. You have to play both ends of the floor to warrant consideration. That also rules out T-Mac, Iverson and Arenas. I’d probably put PP in the top ten, as well as D-Will and Manu Ginobili.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:13 am
Ernesto says:
… and Yao deserves consideration. He’s definitely more useful than the three I’m removing from yours, terrible.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:44 am
kobekold says:
if paul pierce can check kobe like some of ya’ll said y did kobe torch him 4 42 jus last season??? kobe still averaged like 28 on paul so get real. an kobe lead the league in scorin an still made all nba first defensive team. wit a 35 a game average. an still plays d. was paul playin d las year??? kobe has made the all nba defensive team 7 or 8 times in his 12 year career. how man has paul??? remember kobe got to the finals without shaq. a lot of yall said he couldnt. an i PROMISE la will beat them if they meet boston this year. bynum will make that difference. we’ll see. til then stop smokin crack sayin pierce is betta. kobe has been killin ova 10 years dont let two weeks fool u.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:47 am
What is this!? says:
Ernesto:
Dude, get out of hear with all that “you have to play at both ends of the court to warrent top ten consideration” BS… either a player is great or they are not (and if playing on both ends of the court is all that warrents that, then Lebron is suspect in that department as well at times)..there are a lot of players in the NBA that could be considered as playing on “both ends of the court”…. doesn’t make them top ten material (or even top 20). With that said, Manu or Yao are not in the top ten above Iverson or TMAC..period.
I like Manu, he’s on my favorite team, but give me a break, dude could not carry a team for season(s) and Yao has yet to become completely dominate…D-Howard would murder him. Melo has the ability to be top ten but doesn’t seem to want to apply himself, so i’ll agree with taking him off the list (for now), i’ll agree with Arenas being off the list as well…and as much as I love this Paul Pierces quote, he can’t get in the top ten either over those guys ‘terrible’ mentioned either. I’d take off Melo (for now) and Arenas out of the top ten and replace them with D-Will and maybe Yao (but I wouldn’t replace either off AI or TMAC for him).
Anyhow, that list is not the topic..the topic is Paul Pierce feeling himself and ‘terrible’ seemed to be making a list of the players that are better then Paul, and you really can’t argue with a lot the names on their..I get their point.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:49 am
What is this!? says:
*there
July 31st, 2008 at 4:53 am
mrjoker70 says:
Paul pierce can dream and talk all he wants, he aint nothing like kobe, kobe is simple the best since michael jordan, pierce aint even close, he got lucky winning his 1st and last championship with kg and allen,without them he wasn’t gonna get squat,kobe got to the finals more times than pierce and won more championships than pierce, so until pierce gets more than kobe then he will be there,but not neccessarily the best, just the 20 best that’s it, he has no class and he aint no role model, he acts like a gangbanger from inglewood bloods, which is where I live,he aint nothing but a gangsta, that’s why he got stabbed,next time he will get his ass shot…so keep dreaming pierce,u aint aquat just a blabber mouth and dreamer!
July 31st, 2008 at 5:04 am
kobekold says:
an i am not sayin pierce is not that bisiness cus he is!! he is trippin but dont forget that last year paul was finna get traded on the real. boston was fed up with him. paul played good through the entire playoffs. i will give him that. i just cant stand it how everyone jumps on someone’s band wagon after they kill in the playoffs. i remember people jockin on dwade super hard. i couldnt stand that cause those same people were hatin a few months prior. an all ya’ll boston fans know yall trippin. yall was sayin trade him he trash last year. but thats how people an sports are. there are no true fans cause everyone rolls wit who’s hot. but real talk yall was not sayin pierce was the rawest last year.
July 31st, 2008 at 7:57 am
QQ says:
Makes me want to rewind to June and hope that KG won the MvP instead. Pierce is the biggest douchebag in basketball right now; his head has gotten bigger than Ruben Studdard since he won Finals MVP. Last time I hecked, Jordan has 6 of those, and he showed us that he is the best, he never opened his mouth like this assface has been doing.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:14 am
QQ says:
hecked- checked
July 31st, 2008 at 8:29 am
RQF says:
Look, what does it really mean to be the best player in a game that is a team sport. I can’t put a finger on it. If I take 7 categories: a) ability to score, b) ability to play team offense, c) ability to lead on the court, d) ability to play defense, e) ability to play team defense, f) ability to be clutch, g) ability to lead off the court in the locker room, …and then give each player a score in each of the 7 categories, then I get about 5 players who I think could claim to be “best” and one of them is Paul Pierce, another is Kobe. Lebron is unproven in too many categories. Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are both very high. (for each player I am going to give numbers based on their best year in the last three years… kind of like they do in golf and tennis rankings). Now if you don’t believe me, then put the numbers in the categories yourself and see what you get.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:37 am
Ross says:
If he’s the best, then how come he couldn’t win a championship before the acquisitions of last season?
July 31st, 2008 at 8:50 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
@RQF
I dont think you can find the best player by using a mathematical equation. In my opinion there would have to be a one-on-one tournament to decide this, similar to the tournament Dime did a few months ago. That way only pure talent is the determinable factor. You can’t let the team (team defense, team offense) factor into the decision.
By the way MJ in his prime would have been tops in all of the categories you posted. And since MJ is still alive he is the best player on the planet.
July 31st, 2008 at 8:55 am
JA says:
If the Celts didn’t play crazy team-defence, there is no way PP slows down either Lebron or Kobe. So comparing their playoff matchups doesn’t make a lot of sense.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:13 am
Celts Fan says:
@Ace (post 51) you’re conveniently forgetting that LeBron had Big Z and other great defenders/rebounders behind him on D. Pierce had Big Al (glaciers move faster) and whoever was playing the 4 (typically Scal or an undersized, shoulda been playing the 3 Ryan Gomes, they refused to play Perk and Big Al together for some reason.) Not disagreeing w/ the Kobe part, but if you switch LeBron and Pierce on those teams, LeBron wins more with that Celtics squad, but he’s not making the Playoffs with that crap team regardless (and Pierce doesn’t make the Finals w/ LeBron’s Cavs of ’06-’07.) I think LeBron’s better, but let’s not make it out like they had literally the same exact team. Brian Scalabrine started a ton of games on that Wally/Delonte/Pierce team (which Pierce missed a lot of time on too, don’t forget that when saying they only won 24 games.) The supporting cast around Wally and Delonte on that Cavs team was HEAD AND SHOULDERS better than the one the Celtics had for them (like saying vomit is better than feces, but still…)
@Terrible (65) He’s better than Dirk (no D, not clutch,) Melo (no D at all,) and Arenas (no D, bit of a gunner, not the best team player.) RIGHT NOW, I’d probably put him over AI and TMac too RIGHT NOW, until their teams win something (AI’s trip to the Finals is too far back, and his Nuggets have under-achieved enough, that he’s kinda dropping on my list, still amazing, but not top 10 anymore, TMac needs to win a Playoff series, hell Pierce and ‘Toine went to the Conference Finals 2 years in a row in the early 2000s!) but that’s much closer to me than the other 3. Paul plays a versatile, ALL-AROUND game. I’d say he’s in the top 10 (barely, but in it, and I didn’t have him top 10 til he proved he belonged in the Playoffs) I have those guys just outside it.
Also, while Paul D’d up LeBron a lot, the main guys playing Kobe in the Finals were Ray Allen and James Posey, who did as good a job as humanly possible. And there’s no “locking up” Kobe, all you can do is hope to slow him down, which they did. He’s still gonna get his 20+ every night, just keep him from dropping 40, keep him outta the lane, and make him work for it.
Don’t remember who said it, but the best since MJ is locking down the paint in San Antonio. Don’t get it twisted, and 2nd best is puttering to an end in Phoenix, THEN it’s Kobe.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:36 am
girlybballluver says:
@ post # 12…it’s hard to understand what you’ve written. But it looks like you said Pierce is the best small forward in the league right now. Ummmmmmmmm, no!
You might’ve had a case back when he was ballin’ mad crazy a couple years back, dropping 50 while no one was watching. Not today dude…not today.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:43 am
karizmatic says:
I think people ought not to sleep on Pierce no one seems to give the guy respect…he played for a lot of garbage teams and was putting up serious numbers. He may very well be in the top 5 of players in the league. Especially on the perimeter. Why is it people give T-Mac more props the The Truth. His nickname ain’t The Truth for nothing. Personally I think LBJ is the best player in the league. But you can’t deny when the chips were down Pierce played on an even level with both LBJ and Kobe. If he thinks he’s the best player in the league let him have it. He just won the championship and yes he is the best player on the Celtics hands down.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:43 am
B-Easy says:
Hahaha!Thats some pretty strong ish he’s smoking..C’mon man,pass it to the left.Kobe’s clearly the best.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:46 am
Celts Fan says:
Paul Pierce was the best 3 in the league for a brief few months in the Playoffs – LeBron had a down run for him – BUT LeBron is the undisputed best 3 in the league overall. Anyone arguing he’s not is insane. There’s no arguing against it, only looking foolish…
July 31st, 2008 at 9:47 am
Smitty313 says:
Paup Pierce you would never make it to the playoffs with the squad the Lakers have. Keep your mouth close. You needed 2 allstars come in and take some of the pressure of of you.
July 31st, 2008 at 9:51 am
LakeShow84 says:
Why does everyone insist Dirk isnt clutch?? Can someone give me a game winner count?? Dirk is soft (in the post) no doubt but the man makes it rain from ANYWHERE for clutch shots..
Shit i think he had somwhere upwards of 6 buzzer beaters this season alone.. So damn give the German some credit!! poor guy, let those midgets get into his head and now everyone says he cant even hit a J…
July 31st, 2008 at 9:53 am
LakeShow84 says:
Shaq without Penny, Dwade or Kobe = Kevin Garnett in the Twolves era..
Tell me im wrong!
July 31st, 2008 at 9:54 am
Celts Fan says:
and Kobe has 0 rings w/out Shaq and didn’t get far in the Playoffs w/out Pau Gasol (he’s not superstar, but the guy’s a multiple time all star. Just cuz he crapped the bed when it mattered most doesn’t mean he’s useless) and bitched and moaned about being traded because he wanted the pressure off of him. Kobe did get there with less, but it’s not like he’s still running with a team starting Smush and Kwame. He’s the best player in the world, but no one can do it alone…
July 31st, 2008 at 9:58 am
BALLZ says:
Pierce is fucking high on that chronic.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:00 am
Celts Fan says:
@LakeShow84, people say Dirk’s not clutch because of the ’06 Finals. For a guy that shot around/over 90% from the stripe to miss 4 freebies in the last 2 minutes of close games means he came up short (otherwise he’d have a ring and DWade wouldn’t be begging Charles to be in his Fave 5.) Game winners in the regular season are all well and good, but true clutch ability is someone like MJ, Kobe, Reggie, Manu, or Big Shot Bob hitting those tough, stressful shots in the Playoffs. I won’t call HIM soft anymore (his game sorta is) after he gutted through that ankle injury to get his team into the Playoffs, but until he proves it in the Playoffs, he’s not gonna be able to live down missing tons of late-game FTs to most hoop fans. The good news though, is that there’s lots of exercise bikes in Dallas.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:00 am
karizmatic says:
You’re wrong Lakeshow. Garnett and Shaq have totally different games. I bet Shaq could have taken Sam Cassel and Sprewell to a ring, then we’d be sitting here talking about how Shaq couldn’t have done it without them. Everybody, Kobe, tell me how my ass tastes. lol
July 31st, 2008 at 10:07 am
Celts Fan says:
@Karizmatic – Shaq is the most dominant player physically since Wilt (only he did it in the modern era where centers are mostly 7 ft. tall.) In his prime, he could’ve taken anyone worthwhile to a ring. The man used to RIP DOWN ENTIRE BASKETS regularly. He was Dwight Howard, with a little less athleticism, 3 inches taller (Dwight’s only a legit 6’10″, Shaq’s legit 7’1″) and about 50 pounds more of muscle (in his early days, before those pounds softened up.)
July 31st, 2008 at 10:09 am
karizmatic says:
@Celtsfan – I agree. Lakeshow was the one who said w/o Kobe, Wade, and Penny, Shaq would be like Garnett with the Wolves. I disagree with that.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:12 am
Celts Fan says:
I know man, was agreeing w/ you
July 31st, 2008 at 10:32 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I don’t think anybody is denying that Pierce is one of the top players in the league. The problem comes not with him thinking it but being so blatantly vocal about it. The best players of all time didn’t have to say they were the best, they just knew it. And everybody else knew it. Its almost as if Paul is trying to convince himself.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:43 am
LakeShow84 says:
So Shaq could have taken Sprewell and Cassell to the promised land?? Your serious??
He didnt have a part in the last finals (allllllll dwade) and in the lakers run we had Big Shot, D Fish, Rick Loxs, Mitch M Richmond, etc, etc.. Oh snap and Kobe who was the Spur and King killer.. what Shaq was the Net killer?? the Sixer killer?? Shaq got his rings but he got trumped by MJ and THE DREAM during his PRIME..
So he might have ripped down hoops and was straight nasty but to get to that level he needed equal help on the wing.. I dont understand why no one ever mentions The Dream outplaying Shaq badly..
July 31st, 2008 at 10:44 am
LakeShow84 says:
But my bad he wouldnt have been KG on the wolves.. probably second round on a consistent basis.. But in no way does he take Sam and Spree to the chip..
July 31st, 2008 at 10:51 am
karizmatic says:
Lakeshow…have you forgotten that Shaq hung 40 points on the Kings and the Spurs regularly when necessary during those playoff runs? He’d do that regardless of who was on his team. If KG could take Cassell and Sprewell (and actually it was more of a group effort) to the Western conference finals) yeah Shaq could have taken them to a ring. Kobe doesn’t kill the Spurs and Kings without Shaq drawing so much attention, and actually he didn’t kill them as much as Kobe fans would like to think. Although Wade was clearly the dominant player on the Heat he doesn’t do his thing against the Mavs if they don’t have to respect Shaq standing 2 feet from the basket. Shaq makes the game so much easier for everyone on the floor its ridiculous. Look what he’s doing for Amare’s game on the Suns and he’s old now.
July 31st, 2008 at 10:52 am
sweetv0mit says:
whatever he was on, i need a lot of it…
July 31st, 2008 at 11:05 am
Celts Fan says:
@Lakeshow, I hope you’re not talking about the Finals when Dream beat Shaq, cuz that wasn’t his prime, unless your 3rd or 4th year in the NBA is considered your prime (it’s not.) and, while DWade was the MVP of those Finals (deservedly so) without Shaq, guys like Penny, Kobe and Wade don’t have the ability to play 1 on 1 while the D is focused on Shaq. It’s a 2 way street man. They BOTH needed each other to make it work, just like MJ needed Scottie, Magic needed Worthy/Kareem, Paul needed KG/Ray, and Larry needed Parrish and McHale. No one can do it alone, but it’s ALWAYS easier for a guard/sf to play with a dominant big man taking away the defense’s attention and forcing them to have to play the perimeter guy 1 on 1 (or double team them and get beasted down low.) That’s why almost every title team in NBA history had an allstar/dominant big man. It causes a huge mismatch somewhere on the floor (that’s what makes MJ’s accomplishments that much more amazing, unless you count Bill Cartwright or Luc Longley as all-star big men!)
Karizmatic, we agree again…
July 31st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Kudabeen says:
Every player in the league should feel they are the best player. When Iverson says he is the best player in the world, people understand. When Shaq says he is the best player in the world, then Kobe is, then he is again, then D Wade is, then he is again, then Amare is…people understand.
If Paul Pierce is walking out on the court and looking at his match up with a Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Melo, etc and he is saying “they” are better than me, then he wouldn’t be the player that he has proved to be…
When I was 15-16 Know one could tell me I wasn’t the best in the world. I believed (foolishly in hind sight) that I could beat MJ one-on-one. My friends and family clowned me all the time, because I really was that confident. 10 years later I know I wasn’t right, but if you are going to compete and put in the work you should be doing it to be the best and believe that.
I don’t think Paul Pierce is right, but why should he humble his game for Kobe or LeBron? He isn’t Bruce Bowen, Linton Johnston, or somebody. He gives people problems more often they cause him problems period.
LeBron says Kobe. Kobe says LeBron. What should Paul say when two of the world’s best bball players are being PC? When Bron was busting Kobe up in their matchups he wasn’t acting like Kobe was the best… When Kobe was knocking in the clutch shots to beat the Cavs last year he wasn’t acting like Bron was the best…
Kobe knows he is the best. LeBron knows he is the best. Paul Pierce just said it. The PC way a reporter should ask an elite level athlete of their respective sport who they think is the best would be to add “excluding yourself”…
Ironic that we are critiquing to “The Truth” about expressing his truth…
July 31st, 2008 at 11:33 am
LakeShow84 says:
So what are you guys saying Shaq’s game then and now was more finesse?? more technique?? Cuz i always thought Shaq was a physical freak of nature.. So in my opinion his prime was his earlier years because the rules were looser and he could jump up a mans ass and no foul would be called.. Shaq always has and always will have a power game..
@ Karizmatic i think Haslem and Zo were getting more burn at the end of those finals.. check your stats pal.. All shaq did was hit a couple of free throws at the end of a game..
@ both u foo’s.. I agree with you cant do it alone but Shaq never put in more than 50% and yeah Shaq hung his points on those squads but Pippen had his moments too.. As did Parish as did Worthy.. And please dont say Shaq is doing all that for Amare.. Amare is doing it for himself post Marion.. Its his team and he can focus on that.. Remember before Amare had his knee surgery?? Amare was dropping the same points the same way that year so where was Shaq then??
July 31st, 2008 at 11:35 am
doc says:
@lakeshow-Shaq wasnt in his prime until them Laker years.And he could’ve won a chip with anybody good from 2000-2002.Paul earned it to talk his shit this summer.We all know he not the best and he do to but when you win you can say what you want.And cut out the he shut down Bron and Kobe talk.Because if you wanna get technical KG tall ass lurking in the shadows was the one that slowed them down.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:37 am
doc says:
And that chip with the Heat Shaq didnt put his stats up but Wade was waltzing down the lane because Shaq was still getting double and triple teamed when he got the rock.Lakeshow I understand you mad Shaq left yall dynasty but the hate is a bit to much.You know when he was there he was your hero.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:39 am
LakeShow84 says:
Shaq cant be defended because he is an anomaly so stop trying.. You cant look at him and say “yeah he won it all by himself”.. The real problem is thats what you get from him.. “im superman” “kobe couldnt do without me” “i will bring a championship to Phoenix”.. that dumb shit that inflates his ego and his fans ego.. bottom line doo was one of the top 3 most dominant centers EVER.. GREAT.. but he needed just as much help as the next man.. And Superman never needed the flash to handle his.. And i doubt Superman would ride pine while Flash handled his..
July 31st, 2008 at 11:40 am
LakeShow84 says:
I hate Shaq!!!! lol doc but honestly i never liked him.. And i swear by that shit..
July 31st, 2008 at 11:51 am
nowwhatyo says:
who fucking cares?!?
next season, kobe has the opportunity to disprove it. but looking over this past season, Paul Pierce has a ring making him the winner (ie. the best), while Kobe lost in the championship, making him the loser.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Celts Fan says:
@Lakeshow, the rules changes didn’t go into effect until like 2003, WELL AFTER when we’re talking about.
and Shaq does make it easier for Amare. Amare gets to play his true PF position, not out of position at the 5. The Suns also are forced to play a more traditional offense, so Amare’s numbers aren’t juiced by a frantic system anymore (not discrediting them at all, it’s just a fact that when you’re trying to shoot within 7 seconds every possession, you will have more possessions over the course of a game.) If he’s putting up the same #s w/ Shaq as he did in that faster system, he’s basically doing more and doing it more efficiently because they have far fewer possessions now. Just like Kobe, DWade, and pre-injury Penny, he’s legit with or without him, but having a giant on your team distracting defenses or at least keeping them honest will never hurt your game.
and yes, Shaq needs a good perimeter player as badly as good perimeter players need a good big.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:30 pm
karizmatic says:
Shaq does different things to the game than a perimeter guy does…Shaq literally changes the game, lanes are wider he’s always a passing option and he commands a double team in the post. Technically Shaq was more than 50% on any of those championship teams, ever wonder why Shaq has finals MVPs and Kobe doesn’t? the Heat championship is a moot point anyway. That was after his prime I can concede it was more Wade than Shaq, but if you think Shaq being on the floor didn’t contribute to Wade going off in those finals you’re buggin. It’s obvious you’re a serious Kobe fan and you don’t like Shaq much, but please the track record has already been laid out by 3 different people why Shaq could win championships without those guys. Hakeem won 1 when his wingmen were Kenny Smith, Sam Cassell, and Vernon Maxwell. Shaq makes every player on the floor better just by showing up. Basketball has always been a big mans game. And Shaq is one of the best of them all, power game or not.
July 31st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
LakeShow84 says:
So just say agree to disagree lol will us lakers and celtics fans ever get along??
July 31st, 2008 at 12:49 pm
LakeShow84 says:
@ Karizma
Im not saying he doesnt change the game and im not he didnt even change the rules but bottom line he wasnt THAT much of a one man army in my eyes..
You could say Vick revolutionized the QB position or Dominicans revolutionized Baseball but did any of that bring true greatness?? NO
Yes Shaq opens up the floor for everyone.. But doesnt Timmy D?? Didnt Hakeem?? And once again in the last couple of games for the Heat championship SHAQ DIDNT PLAY A WHOLE LOT.. he played, he started but Zo and Haslem were in there more.. what he opens lanes from the bench?? Shit give it up..
And yeah Shaq got MVP but it was HIS team then he played against who?? Deke (190 lbvs soaking wet) and who was the nets center?? Shit Collins?? Williams?? ninja please.. Shaq feasted on scraps in those finals.. Honestly whoever said Shaq could’ve WON THE CHIP in 2000-2002 was right.. but could he have made it past the Spurs?? the Kings?? NOPE.. he wouldnt have made it out the West..
July 31st, 2008 at 1:01 pm
karizmatic says:
Well that’s the point, he could have won it with or without Kobe, all he needed in his prime was a worthwhile perimeter player. To me Shaq in his prime had more impact than TD, but if you want to compare him to Hakeem that’s fine, Hakeem had Maxwell, Cassell, and Kenny Smith, you don’t think Shaq could have won with Cassell, Hudson, who was killing the Lakers that year, Szerbiak who would have had all day to shoot wide open shots and Sprewell. And that’s the point it was HIS team, not Kobe’s everything revolved around Shaq and they won 3 championships. Since you insist on leaving the Heat series out, that’s fine, Shaq wasn’t in his prime anyway. In his prime, give Shaq a couple of decent perimeter players, matter of fact anyone without a ring, from AI, T Mac, Vince on down, just anyone decent, and they get rings with Shaq.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:21 pm
LakeShow84 says:
OK give Kobe anyone without a ring.. AI, Tmac, Vince on down and they probably get a RING.. ok im kidding lol but it depends on the team.. let be honest Kobe and Shaq couldnt have done without a good point (fish) legit 3 (fox) and clutch man (Horry/Richmond)
Dwade and Shaq couldnt have dont it without Haslem or Posey.. so role players count.. it takes somethin special to win the chip.. not two all stars
And no he wouldnt have made it past Kobe, Malone and Keving Garnett that year.. if indeed they swapped.. and ill even say without KG.. Shaq’s big a$$ was out of shape the only year KG had that team.. Whatchu aint know??
July 31st, 2008 at 1:55 pm
karizmatic says:
He was out of shape…but that’s basically not saying anything, which years was Shaq actually in top basketball shape? This started out with saying Shaq on the Timberwolves would have been the same sorry team as it was with KG, I think you’ve already conceded that point. As far as whether Kobe Malone and Garnett would have beat Shaq on the T’wolves we’ll never know now will we. All I know is this Kobe, with LO and Gasol, who are not Malone and Garnett, but decent nevertheless, lost when they got in the finals. I don’t think that happens if Shaq is in his prime, I think Shaq in his prime is more of an impact on the game than Kobe could ever be.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
doc says:
Aint no thinking about that karizmatic,thats a certified fact.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
LakeShow84 says:
He was out of shape and got out played by Ben Wallace in the finals.. And thats says a lot my friend..
And i will say it.. Shaq in his prime had more of an impact than kobe in his prime.. But who is the real “winner”.. we wont know until KB’s championship chasing days are over..
July 31st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Celts Fan says:
@Lakeshow, the stats speak for themselves. both are winners, but Shaq’s got 4 chips, 6 trips to the Finals, 3 Finals MVPs, and 0 players thrown under the bus to the cops.
July 31st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
karizmatic says:
Thanks Celtsfan
July 31st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
karizmatic says:
Not to mention I looked up Shaq’s statss over the championships won and he had damn near or over 30 pts and 15 rebs each year in the playoffs. Kobe didn’t do so bad
21 4 and 4
29 7 and 6
26 5 and 5
but who’s Jordan and who’s Pippen? Obviously Shaq is the Jordan in this comparison
July 31st, 2008 at 3:00 pm
LakeShow84 says:
LMAO CeltsFan
And thnx Karimatic, i can be jordan and u can be pippen..
July 31st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Celts Fan says:
haha, and Lakeshow/Karizmatic, this was fun. Nice, friendly discussion on these guys. We all know they couldn’t have done it if you just take the other one off the team. I do respect the hell out of Kobe’s game and his trying to be a better teammate over the past few years…
July 31st, 2008 at 3:44 pm
karizmatic says:
I wouldn’t mind being Pippen he has 6 rings and dunks over Ewing to show for it. Yeah they couldn’t have done it without each other but Shaq still had more of an impact. It’s obvious the we could replace Kobe with any 25 5 and 5 guy in the league and there are a few of them Vince, T-mac, Wade, AI in his prime, Paul Pierce, Melo, LBJ, Grant Hill in his prime, Ray Allen in his prime etc, and probably get the same results. However over the same time period only 2 guys could average 30 pts and 15 rebs throughout the playoffs. Shaq and Tim Duncan. Between them they have 7 rings. Any questions?
July 31st, 2008 at 3:57 pm
What is this!? says:
@ #103
Best most commen sense post on this topic in here..i’m glad somebody understands the logic.
Anyhow, when I read these comment sections, I see that people are very fickle and bandwagon on and off players and teams depending on who is “hot” at the moment. One minute it will be one player, the next minute it will be someone or something else. I judge a great player by who is the most consistant and who is the most determined at what they do…not everyone is placed in positions for their teams to succeed..sometimes people have to make do with what they have. Therefor how can you judge an individual player on being great based soley on their teams success? While Paul Pierces TEAM (this year) may be better then Kobe’s Lebrons, Iversons, D-Wades, ect…it doesn’t make HIM the better player then those mentioned. There is much more that goes into it then that. We are judging the PLAYERS..not their teams. People bounce back and forth with their logic depending on which player they are talking about..they seem to have a different set of rules for different players..either a player is great or they are not, period.
As ‘Kudabeen’ stated, a player has to beleive that they are the best player on the planet otherwise why even lace up their sneakers at the end of the day? Thats what people don’t seem to get.
July 31st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Desrat says:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!
If PP was so good then he would not have had the best turnaround in history after getting KG and Rayray, becuase he would have ahad a better year the year before. Lebron on a team of third teir players is compitative night in night out and we have all watched Kobe take a team of youngns to the playoffs. PP was in the gutter.
July 31st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Kevin K says:
i wonder if he would be saying all these bullshit if the celtics didn’t win the finals… all the pot he be smoking in europe must have gotten to his head. swap gasol with kg and im pretty sure the lakers would have won the finals. pp is not even in top 10 best ballers in the world na mean
August 1st, 2008 at 9:59 am
Dagomar says:
Here’s a question . . . what would Kobe say? Even for Kobe it seems conceited to say “me.”
August 1st, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Stephen says:
all you guys are totally right. who the fuck does paul pierce think he is? his jump shots are ugly, and his shooting percentages are uglier. man, even the best player of all time like MJ did not say he was the best player. and one certain characteristic of the best player in the world is that they do not say they are the best even though the public of course all acknowledge that fact like in kobe’s case. celtics won the title cuz of their defense which started in their interior by KG. no man can stop kobe by himself, celtics slowed him down with their team defense. what a dumbass
August 13th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
John says:
Garnett is the best player in his team.
By making that comment, he is now conceited.
With that kind of attitude, the Celtics are done. Already he’s showing signs of complacency. If the Lakers had won, Kobe would celebrate up to about 3 weeks at max. He’d be going back to his quiet self and work out for the next trophy. Paul Pierce is a fag and a one time wonder.
October 4th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
chris says:
The kid is crazy he isn’t even better than chris paul he needed not one but two all stars or should i say superstars to help him he shouldn’t be sayin anything last year the team won like 15 games paul p is one that crystal meth or somethin here are all the people who are better than him
Kobe
CP3
D-Wade
Dwight
Melo
Lebron
steve nash
Dirk
Kg(own teamate)
A.I
Duncan
tony parker
This guy is clearly crazy next year the lakers got it
December 31st, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Jubilee says:
paul pierce is a rat. i’d like ten minutes alone with this guy to punch him while someone held his arms. ok so it’s not “alone” exactly, but you get the idea.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
C Dot says:
I dont believe Paul Pierce is even in the top 5 and if he is he surely isnt better than Mamba, Bron-Bron, or Flash.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Rahed says:
Lebron is the most athletic, Kobe is the BEST. Kobe has the all around game required to be an elite superstar. A dangerous shooter and a slasher to the basket makes it nearly impossible to stop Kobe. After a few more years once Lebron develops the all around basketball I.Q. and Kobe ages some more than Lebron will be the best. Paul Pierce? He is no where near the best in the world. Lucky if he’s top 25 in the league. Is he een the best on his team? True the celtics won the NBA championship and were well deserving. But Paul Pierce didn’t win it, he had one of the best teams of all times to help him get by. If you give kobe or lebron teammates like Garnett and Ray Allen your talking about an 82 win season. Paul Pierce is the best layer in his dreams, maybe he should wake up.
May 17th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Summer Kennedy says:
He is the best player on the planet.
June 14th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Kierra Pearson says:
im a really big paul pierce fan (the biggest if u ask me).do i think he’s da best player in the world…no… but do i think he comes in da top 5…yes…confidence is the key to being a great player and he has dat but he’s not consided.he has an all around game he can drive,shoot,dribble,pass,post up,and take over when things aren’t going rite.so yes i do believe he’s ONE of the best players in the world and for those of u saying he needs to shutup before someone stabs him again dat stuff aint funny how would u feel to get stabbed a dozen time and have ppl make fun of it cause im sure dat was a very tramatic time in his life and personally i think yall need to grow up cause im only 13 and i kno thats wrong