LeBron on facing Pierce: ‘I knew I had to become much better’
LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers avoided having to battle Paul Pierce and the Washington Wizards in the Eastern Conference Finals with Washington’s heartbreaking loss to the Atlanta Hawks last week. And with Pierce dropping a hint that he may hang ’em up after 17 years in the NBA, James took some time to reflect on his longtime rivalry with The Truth.
In an interview with Cleveland.com, James, who referred to Pierce as “Double-P,’’ paid the former Celtics great some big-time respect.
“I’ve been competing against him my whole career and our battles that we’ve had, our differences that we’ve had,’’ James said. “But you know one thing about it, when you face him; you’re going to always compete. I wish him the best in whatever he decides to do.’’
Pierce’s Celtics bounced LeBron and the Cavs from the playoffs in 2008 and 2010, with 2008’s Eastern Conference semifinals Game 7 one of the more dynamic duels in recent postseason history.
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In 2011 and 2012, James got his revenge as a member of the Miami Heat, dispatching the Celts first in the Eastern semis and then in the Eastern finals a year later, erasing a 3-2 series deficit at TD Garden before closing the Boston out in Game 7 en route to a championship.
“Obviously he gets a Cliff note or a couple notes in my book as far as guys that helped me get over the hump or kept me where I was at the time,’’ James said. “I knew I had to become much better individually. He’s one of those guys.’’
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