In 2019, Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce went on ESPN and declared that he was a better basketball player and had a better career than Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade.

“That’s easy. I can say that off the bat, that’s me.”

Pierce went on to explain that if he was given the opportunity to play with top players in the league earlier on in his career like Wade (Shaq and LeBron) he’d have three titles to his name as well.

This debate has always caused some pushback for Pierce, who has less All-Stars and rings to his name than Wade, but a former executive for the Phoenix Suns, Amin Elhassan, recently shared on The Dan Le Batard Show that many players believe Pierce is better than Wade, but afraid to say so.

“What Paul said is something that a lot of NBA players think. And I’m not even agreeing with you — to be honest — but I understood what you were saying was from the heart and the truth, because I know there are a lot of players who think that but aren’t brave enough to say it out loud.”

The Celtics finally surrounded Pierce with the necessary pieces in 2007-08 when they added Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett and he believes they should’ve won three championships together but injuries happened.

Pierce didn’t respond to Elhassan’s statement on players around the league being afraid to say that Pierce is better. Perhaps it’s due to the LeBron-effect and not wanting to go against him.

At the end of the day, both Pierce and Wade are two of the best scorers in NBA history and are both on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and in the Hall of Fame.

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