In this episode of the Draymond Green Show, host Draymond Green interviews former NBA star Paul Pierce. The conversation centers on Pierce’s evolving view of LeBron James, where Pierce clarifies that he now regards LeBron as a top‑five player and possibly the greatest of all time, citing LeBron’s longevity, record‑breaking career, and impact on the game. Pierce also reflects on his own legacy, asserting that he belongs among the elite shooting guards—ranking himself near Dwyane Wade and other all‑time greats. The dialogue touches on the cultural shift in NBA nicknames, with both guests noting that modern players receive fewer iconic monikers compared to past eras. Throughout, Pierce emphasizes respect rather than hatred toward LeBron, explaining that competitive on‑court battles were never personal. A brief DraftKings Sportsbook sponsorship plug is interspersed. The episode blends personal anecdotes, comparative rankings, and broader commentary on NBA history.
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Thank you.
Speaking of Bron, you've made a few comments about Bron. You said you made him join the Heat. You said, that he wasn't top 5 player in the NBA. A lot of people has called your takes on Bron as you hate it. Where do you stand? Like, do you still think Bron ain't a top 5 player in NBA history?
First of all, I'm gonna clear that up. I've never, I did say that, but it was based on when they was playing the Portland Trail Blazers in the bubble. And I think Portland went up 2-0, or they won the first one, or maybe they didn't even start the series. But I was like, all right, they got AD, they got this. And I was like, if they lose to the Blazers in the playoffs first round, I don't want to hear about Bron being top 5, because I felt like they had a championship team, which they went on to win the championship in the bubble that year. And so do I think Bron is a top 5 player? Absolutely, man. Absolutely. I mean, I've went on record— Yes. Saying this after they won that chip. I said LeBron has cemented himself as the number 2, to me, player all time now. Little did I know he was gonna go for 40,000. Little did I know he's gonna break all these other records. This is like 4 years ago. Bron is in that GOAT argument to where you could just say he might be the GOAT, you know, his longevity. The records he's had, I mean, yeah, it's who you like, whatever era you played in, whatever. But Bron has a serious argument. And I will say this about Bron. I wouldn't be who I am today without Bron. And I will say that. For the simple fact that I got to match up with him. For the simple fact that I get to have these epic games against him. I wouldn't be who I am without him. So I'm taking my hat off to him in retirement. Did I ever hate Bron? I never hated Bron. I always respected him. It's just that me in the heat of the battle on the court, we, I'm no friends, bro. That's just who I was. Listen, you do what you do with your team over there, I'm gonna do with my team. And I ain't no love. And they always came like I was a Bron hater. But nah, I appreciate what he done to this game. He's reset the bar, the standard now. And he's pushed the bar so high now that I don't know if in our lifetime there's gonna be anybody close to him. And I respect what he's done for the game, not only on the court but off the court. So I'm happy that I come on your platform and let everybody know this. Yeah, I've said some things about Bron, but look, real recognize real at the end of the day. And he's just been unbelievable. And, and I, we appreciate that.
Yeah. No doubt, no doubt. No, I respect that. Another one that went crazy, and I asked this question more so not even about that moment, but just kind of your take because number one, like I said at the start, you don't get a nickname, The Truth, without being one of them ones. Like that's no debate. Big Ticket, The Truth, The Glove, like you, King James, like you look at, you don't get those nicknames if you not one of them ones. And so I say Flash, like Shaq Diesel, you look at the nicknames guys got, like you gotta be one of them dudes. And if you not one of them dudes, you don't get nicknames.
Nah, you know what? That's not true. Like this era, where's the nicknames?
Joker.
Y'all got a nickname? Okay, Joker. I mean, like—
Steph don't really have a nickname. He got a couple things people try to throw out there.
Like, you know what I'm saying?
Babyface Assassin, we've heard the Steph nicknames.
Yeah, that's what I'm saying.
That's true.
I feel like this era don't, like, where the nicknames like, And they going away, I think. That's true.
But you had to be one of them ones then to get one.
Yeah, absolutely.
In saying that, you, and I can agree, you've spoken about being underrated in NBA history for what you've done, the things that you accomplished. You also said you were better than Dwyane Wade. Where should you be ranked as far as that? NBA history go when you're talking about great two guards? Like where, where, where would you put yourself in that?
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It's tough, man. And the thing about Wade, and I will say this, Wade is one of the greatest players. I loved watching him when I didn't play. But in all of this, I never brought Wade name up without it being brought to me.
That's true.
I never like came out and be like, oh, you know, that's when it's hate. That's true. That's what I feel like when it ain't brought to you, "and you just bring it up? I feel like that's hating." But I was like, "But I'm gonna tell you this, that's who made me who I am." 'Cause I felt like every time I stepped on the court, I was the best player. Like whether it was Kobe, Bron, I felt for like one night, I could be the best player that night. And for me having that mentality, that's what made me who I am. So I said it on national TV and yeah, I don't have the accolades Wade had. You know, he played on better teams, but I'm not trying to discredit Wade. Wade is an all-time great. In my eyes, he's probably 3, 2, 3, 4 best 2 guards at all time. And so, you know, some stuff with TD, but I feel like I'm right there. I'm right there. Like, it might be like, yeah, I'm right. Like, some of these other guys, like, yeah, Cole, Bron, I think, "Wade, I'm right there." I respect that.
