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Paul Pierce argued why he thinks Jayson Tatum and the Celtics are being ‘disrespected’
"We’re talking about a team that’s going to win 60 games, defending champs, and they’re not the favorites? Does this even make sense?"
Paul Pierce sounded off on the Celtics: Former Celtics star Paul Pierce is not happy that his old team isn’t the betting favorite to win the NBA title.
Pierce, appearing on Fox Sports’ “Speak,” the 2008 Finals MVP argued that despite being widely seen as one of the central contenders for the title, he thinks Boston hasn’t received enough credit. Specifically, the topic emerged from a discussion of the current NBA title odds, which consistently place the Oklahoma City Thunder slightly above the Celtics.
“I’m so tired of the disrespect for the Boston Celtics,” Pierce explained. He singled out Jayson Tatum.
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“He’s the most disrespected superstar. The Celtics are the most disrespected franchise,” Pierce said. “We’re talking about a team that’s going to win 60 games, defending champs, and they’re not the favorites? Does this even make sense? Does it even sound right?”
Citing recent history, Pierce noted that the Celtics are coming off a title he claimed Boston won “easily” in 2024, losing just three postseason games in the process.
“Who are we saying the favorites are, oh Oklahoma City? You got some guys behind these computers and these analytics saying, ‘Oh, the defense, and they check all the boxes and the metrics.'”
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Pierce said that while the Thunder have the metrics, he thinks the Celtics pass “the eye test” in terms of quality superstars like Jaylen Brown and Tatum, and secondary players like Derrick White and Payton Pritchard who are also capable scorers.
“I can’t stand this,” Pierce concluded. “This is unreal. I’m tired of the disrespect for my Boston Celtics.”
The Celtics are currently second in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Cavaliers by four games. In the West, the Thunder hold the best record in the NBA at 65-14 (Boston is now 59-20).
Trivia: The Lakers have the most series losses in NBA Finals history (17-15 overall). Which two teams are tied for second in finals losses?
(Answer at the bottom.)
Hint: Both from the Eastern Conference (it’s not the Celtics).
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Knicks 119-117 in overtime, with Kristaps Porzingis leading Boston with 34 points and Jayson Tatum (32 points) nailing the clutch three-pointer at the end of regulation:
BRUNSON TO HART.
— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2025
TATUM THREE FOR THE TIE.
2.9 LEFT ON TNT 🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/vRbdNYIlaC
Tonight at 7 p.m., the Celtics will be back in action in Orlando against the Magic.
Also from Tuesday, the Bruins smashed the Devils 7-2. Boston will host the Blackhawks on Thursday at 7 p.m.
And the Red Sox lost to the Blue Jays 6-1. The two teams play again in Toronto this evening at 6:45 p.m.
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Not a bad assist: David Pastrnak notched three points in Tuesday’s win, including this no-look assist.
David Pastrnak sets up Morgan Geekie with the no-look spin-o-rama feed 🌀
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 9, 2025
Pasta now has three straight 100-point seasons ‼️ pic.twitter.com/709NfbCg1Y
On this day: In 2021, Jayson Tatum scored 53 points and the Celtics beat the Timberwolves in a high-scoring overtime matchup, 145-136.
Daily highlight: Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice summoned a career performance from set pieces during the Tuesday Champions League quarter-final first leg matchup against Real Madrid. Rice curled his first free kick perfectly around the wall to give the Gunners the lead:
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE FOR DECLAN RICE ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/XZHSlaCOj3
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025
Impossibly, he then repeated the feat to double Arsenal’s advantage, leaving even Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe impressed. Arsenal won the game 3-0 and holds a commanding lead heading into the second leg next Wednesday.
LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE FOR DECLAN RICE ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/XZHSlaCOj3
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 8, 2025
Trivia answer: 76ers, Knicks
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