The Truth vs. The King
A LayupDrill.com Exclusive
Words by Brandon Ribak and D.Michael Lee
Some laughed when Paul Pierce said over the summer he felt he was the best basketball player in the world today. If you have been following the evolution of Lebron James, you probably would disagree with that statement. But when it comes down to the big game, which one would you want on your team? LayupDrill.com editors D.Michael Lee and Brandon Ribak take sides on this very debatable issue.
The King
Words by Brandon Ribak
Lebron James
Most people would say LeBron James is the new Michael Jordan of this era. Standing 6’8” and weighing 250lbs, LeBron is a total beast and an outcast as well. With his style of play and physique there is no stopping him from becoming the best player in the NBA. He has the ability to absolutely dominate anybody who attempts to guard him, leaving them with embarrassment and shame for trying to prevent him from scoring.
Lebron is one of a kind. He has a vision on the court of a point-guard; the body, awareness, and strength of a power-forward, and the mindset of a super-star. His vision enables him to look at the court with the eyes of a Steve Nash, while still playing his Small Forward position. Lebron has a career average of 6.6 assists per game. The King’s body gives him an advantage nobody else has in the NBA. He has the power to attack and get hit by the defense, while still focusing on the shot in the act. LeBron has the strength to slam the ball down the hoop, while totally disregarding who is trying to prevent him from doing so. James has averaged 27.3 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game in his 5 year career.
What stands LeBron out from the entire NBA is his mindset. James has been through his ups and downs in his career, struggling with his team and losing in the finals. After observing the past 5 years it looks as if LeBron has grown into a veteran that knows what he has to do to make it to the Championship. With his talent and knowledge of the game, LeBron is inching closer and closer to a ring on his finger.
Head-to-Head
LeBron has faced Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics 18 times since the start of his NBA career.
Paul Pierce has gone up against Lebron and the Cavaliers 16 times since the 03-04 season. (When Lebron entered the league)
Lebron has clearly DOMINATED Paul Pierce in every statistical category (since entering the league) by landslides except for rebounds.
Since the 03-04 season, Lebron has averaged 31.16 PPG, 6.54 RPG, 6.38 APG, 2.45 SPG, and 1.15 BPG against the Boston Celtics.
Paul Pierce has averaged 23.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 4.18 APG, 1.516 SPG, and 0.434 BPG since the 03-04 season.
The numbers prove that LeBron James is statistically better than Paul Pierce head-to-head.
LeBron is bigger, faster, stronger, more aware, and a better shooter than Paul Pierce will ever be. The only positive Paul Pierce has over LeBron James is the ring on his finger.
But if Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers instead of the Boston Celtics, LeBron would have a ring on his finger as well.
Although Paul Pierce is a great NBA player, he just cannot be compared to LeBron James. The King’s talent excels Paul Pierce’s and any other talented player in the NBA today.
LeBron James is the KING and will be crowned the greatest player of his time.
P.S. King James would thrash Pierce in a one-on-one pick-up game
The Truth’s Time is Now
Words by D.Michael Lee
I have watched Paul Pierce’s game develop since the first game I saw him playing for Roy Williams at the University of Kansas. When he was drafted in 1998, I thought he would be a nice sidekick, perhaps at best a Scottie Pippen type player. During his decade long career, Pierce has been through some of the lowest of low points that would have broken the spirit of many NBA superstars. The 6 time All-Star had never played alongside a talented team aside of his run with Antoine Walker in the early part of his career. Pierce endured one of the worst seasons in Celtics history, a time in which many fans in Boston thought it was time for him to go. But he survived. And with the arrival of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Celtics leader was able to finally see the championship glory he had waited his entire career for.
While other superstars receive the endorsements and national spotlight, Paul Pierce quietly was getting better, each and every year. His 23 points a game average is, while not the most among active players, very respectable. What he does better than perhaps any player in the league is raise his level of play against the best. When the stakes are high, and the likes of Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady are on the floor against him, Pierce is at his absolute best. In a game against Cleveland in the 2005-06 season, Pierce lit up the Cavs for 50 points. After the game, Lebron James told the media Pierce was the best at his position in the East. It wasn’t until last season, during the Eastern Conference Semifinals, that we saw Pierce face off with Lebron in an epic battle. Game 7 will go down as one of the best big game match-ups between two future Hall of Famers in recent memory, and Pierce dropped 41 points that night. As good as Lebron was slashing through the Celtics defense, Pierce was the best player on the floor. Pierce advanced to the NBA Finals and against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, guess who was the best player on the floor again? Big shot after big shot was made by Pierce, who was guarded by Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom at times.
I truly believe that 10 years into his career, the discussion over who had the best career between Lebron James and Paul Pierce may not be close. But right now, in the prime of his career, there is no doubt that The Truth is the most dangerous closer in the game today.
The King vs. The Truth May 2006
The King vs. The Truth Game 7 2008 Playoffs
Loading ...Now that you have read our takes on it, who do you think is the better big game player? The King or The Truth? Vote in the poll, and drop a comment to let your voice be heard!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
this is such an easy argument. Even though pierce is overlooked by many his talent is unbelievable. It doesnt compare to lebron though. I know he won a championship but give lebron ray allen and garnett and see what happends. Pierce and his celtics were a laughing stock in the nba before the trades. Lebron single handedly wins games and series.
Lebron is a G. The Boss made some convincing points on Pierce’s end tho.
You must log in to post a comment.