Paul Pierce: “Doncic will win the MVP next season”
Former Celtics player Paul Pierce spoke with the NBA Fan Club and recalled his legendary duels with Kobe and Pau.
Boston Celtics legend and NBA 75th Anniversary Team member Paul Pierce answered questions from NBA Fan Club members. Pierce made a point of highlighting the similarities between Tatum and Company and the Celtics of the Big Three of which he was a part with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen: “Kevin Garnett was the best defensive player - just like Marcus Smart; Jayson Tatum reminds me of myself offensively and I think this team is one of the best defenses in the league, as we were,” he said.
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Pierce was asked about one of the significant moments in his career - the 2010 finals against a Lakers side led by Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant: “When you go against some of the best players in history like Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, it is not an easy task. We were a team with great players like Kevin and Ray and we had one of the best defenses in NBA history because we were healthy. By the time we got to the finals we lost Perkins in the seventh and Pau had a great match I really think if we had Perkins we would have won,” he explained.
Pierce on Giannis and Doncic
Pierce also gave his thoughts on who has impressed him in the modern game. He confessed his admiration for Giannis Antetokounmpo, “I think he has been the best player in the NBA for the last three or four years. I love his tenacity, his hunger for victory and everything he gives to basketball with his intensity and leadership, I would love to have been able to share the court with him,” adding that he puts him above Luka Doncic, although he believes that the Slovenian “will be the MVP of the league next year”.
The forward is fascinated by the new generation of players in the NBA and enthused about the great talent that has come from Europe in recent years: “I love the fact that players around the world are showing everyone that this sport can be played in any country. This also demonstrates the reach of NBA programs around the world to help players develop. (...) This is a global sport, you can play from anywhere, all you need is a ball, a basket and a little hard work”.