In the ongoing debate over who deserves the title of the NBA’s greatest player of all time, a surprising contender has emerged: Paul Pierce.

Pierce: What if LBJ voted for me?

The former Boston Celtics star found himself tied for fourth place in The Athletic’s recent anonymous NBA player poll, receiving a single vote alongside legends like Steph Curry and Magic Johnson.

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However, what’s caught everyone’s attention is Pierce’s speculation about the mysterious individual who bestowed him with this lofty title, leading to a playful suggestion that it could be none other than LeBron James.

During a recent appearance on FS1’s Undisputed, Pierce entertained the idea that James, his longtime adversary on the court, might have been the one to cast the vote in his favor.

“What if LBJ voted for me?” Pierce mused. “I did play against him.”

“He must think something. What do you think about that? We had a lot of battles. Come on now, we had some tough battles.”

"Sometimes it’s not always everything you do on the court, but off the court too that makes you the GOAT." – Paul Pierce pic.twitter.com/hdghpDbv4A

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 24, 2024

Pierce takes humor from poll results

The rivalry between Pierce and James reached its peak during Pierce’s tenure with the Boston Celtics and James’s time with the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014.

Although the Heat emerged victorious in their playoff matchups, the intensity of their clashes cemented their status as fierce competitors.

Pierce’s subsequent move to the Brooklyn Nets did little to diminish the competitive fire between the two.

Pierce’s inclusion in the GOAT conversation, albeit in jest, has raised eyebrows, particularly given his own acknowledgment that he doesn’t possess the credentials typically associated with basketball’s greatest of all time.

Yet, as Pierce himself acknowledges, sometimes it’s not just about on-court performance but also off-court factors that contribute to one’s legacy.

While Pierce’s assertion may seem lighthearted, it underscores the enduring rivalry and mutual respect between two NBA legends.

Despite their differences, both Pierce and James have left an indelible mark on the league, with Pierce earning 10 All-Star selections and four All-NBA nods throughout his illustrious career.

Ultimately, Pierce’s playful speculation adds a humorous twist to the ongoing GOAT debate, reminding fans that even in retirement, the competitive spirit of the NBA continues to thrive.