In the ever-evolving saga between LeBron James and his long-time rival Paul Pierce, the rivalry has once again found its way into the headlines. Pierce and James have a well-documented history that dates back to their fierce battles in the late 2000s and early 2010s when the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Eastern Conference rivalry.
Since his retirement in 2017, Pierce has often taken to media appearances and podcasts to elevate his own legacy while taking subtle — and sometimes not-so-subtle — jabs at LeBron. Now, he’s back with another controversial take involving the Los Angeles Lakers superstar.
Paul Pierce reignites his rivalry with LeBron James
As James continues to recover from a sciatica injury that has delayed his season debut, the Los Angeles Lakers have impressively maintained a 7-3 record through their first ten games. With Luka Doncic performing at an MVP-caliber level and Austin Reaves showing signs of All-NBA potential, the Lakers have managed to stay competitive despite their leader’s absence.
However, the team’s dynamic could change dramatically when James returns. And according to Paul Pierce, the Lakers should take a bold approach. On a recent episode of the KG Certified podcast, the former Boston Celtics legend suggested that LeBron James should come off the bench when he returns from injury — a statement that has stunned fans and analysts alike.
“When LeBron comes back, LeBron got to come off the bench,” Pierce declared. “The way you wanted to work, he got to come off the bench.”
Pierce’s reasoning behind the surprising statement
Pierce argued that the combination of LeBron James and Luka Doncic on the floor might not be as effective as it seems. Drawing on last season’s early playoff exit, he believes the two stars struggle to coexist within the same offensive rhythm.
“Instead of you being out there with Luka, you take Luka out of the game, and now you run what Luka was doing,” Pierce added, implying that staggering the two could benefit the Lakers’ flow and efficiency.
While many disagree with Paul Pierce’s claim, the statistics offer a different perspective. The Lakers went 15-8 last season in games where James and Doncic shared the floor, suggesting that their partnership can indeed thrive with the right adjustments.
The Lakers’ resilience and what lies ahead
Despite missing one of the greatest players of all time, head coach JJ Redick’s system has kept the Lakers afloat. The team’s balanced approach, fueled by Luka Doncic’s playmaking and Austin Reaves’ growing confidence, has been instrumental in maintaining momentum. Once LeBron James returns, managing rotations and workloads will become crucial — especially as he continues to recover from the lingering sciatica issue.