Paul Pierce set the basketball world ablaze after he asserted that he was better than Dwyane Wade. Although many fans and pundits disagreed with Pierce, players chimed in on his comments, as well. Particularly, Udonis Haslem, who lambasted the Hall of Famer for his claim.
In an appearance on “It Is What It Is,” Pierce gave a monologue on why he should be perceived as greater than Wade. firstly, he makes the argument that if he played with some of Wade’s teammates, he’d have more championships. Then, he highlights how he’s a better scorer. Finally, he surmises that the only reason he didn’t win more rings with the Celtics was because he teamed up with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen when they were past their prime.
“Put Shaq on my team, put LeBron and Bosh with me!,” Pierce exclaimed. “I’m not going to win one? You don’t think? Me, LeBron and Bosh. We’re not gonna win one? We’re not gonna win a couple?
Who’s the better three-point shooter? Is he [Wade] a better scorer? He averaged more points than me [in my] career. I can shoot the three, mid-range, I can post up. I can get to the line. … Just break it down!
My skills went unappreciated because I didn’t get to play with a lot of players. And then I got to play with KG and Ray way past their prime. If four years earlier, you put me, Ray and KG together, you think we ain’t walking away with three chips?”
Udonis Haslem rips Pierce for his comments
It didn’t take long for some of Wade’s former teammates to come to his defense. Specifically, Heat legend Udonis Haslem.
The 43-year-old commented on The Dan LeBatard Show’s Instagram, repudiating Pierce’s remarks. Haslem noted that podcasts are giving people the temerity to say asinine things. However, he referred to the Celtics legend’s words as “diarrhea.”
“These podcasts have muhf**kas getting diarrhea out the mouth!!!!”
Throughout their career, Pierce and Wade played against each other 55 times. Although the former won a majority of the games (31), the latter has more playoff victories (13).
