The basketball world had a lot to say Tuesday after it was revealed that Team USA players had voted LeBron James as the team’s greatest player in a straw poll.
Paul Pierce had a strong take on that Wednesday on Undisputed, delivering a shocking pick for his top roster USA player while claiming three experienced stars on the roster are “well past their prime.”
Paul Pierce just need to stfu 😂😂 How he the best player on the USA when he not even the best Player on his own team 😂 JB conference finals and finals MVP 😂 https://t.co/8vwyUvZv9J
— Kenny Blade 🔪✨ (@LLcooldre__) July 10, 2024
The Athletic said that James received five votes in the poll, three more than any other athlete. Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, and Jrue Holiday each received two votes, as did Joel Embiid.
“The best player on the team is Jayson Tatum,” Pierce stated.
“Wait, the best player on the whole team?” Skip Bayless, the co-host, responded incredulously.
“Skip, I’m talking about the USA Men’s 2024 Olympic Basketball team,” Pierce informed reporters.
“By the way, in the straw poll, he got zero votes,” Bayless noted. “A number of other players received votes. “Steph got them…”
Certified hater https://t.co/9YkGX1MuI2
— Nick Owens (@Nick3Owens) July 10, 2024
“Because it’s a popularity contest,” Pierce said. “We’re talking about the guy who just won a championship with the best squad, come on. If you’re in a room with LeBron, Steph Curry, and KD [Kevin Durant] and you’re playing a pickup game, even if you know who Tatum is, you’ll probably select LeBron first because, ‘That’s LeBron, that’s KD, that’s Steph.’
“However, we know these players are well past their prime. Still fantastic, but way past their prime.”
This dude is a 🤡🤣 his love for the Celtics will never go unnoticed lol https://t.co/zrgZR6BYAE
— CashFlow (@Mrunderrated93) July 10, 2024
Tatum is undeniably a great celebrity, and despite having played seven seasons, he is still on the rise. One may argue that James is not the player he was five or ten years ago, yet he was close to his career averages in major statistical categories and hit a career-high 41% from three points.
Pierce’s view did not go over well on X.
Paul Pierce argues that Jayson Tatum is better than LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry, implying that their current status relies heavily on their popularity
(🎥 @undisputed )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 10, 2024
