Paul Pierce and Dwyane Wade competed against each other at the highest level for several seasons, however, the Celtics legend maintains that if he played with the same help as the Miami Heat star, their careers would be looked at very differently.
In what has been a one-way conversation, Pierce believes that Wade's success in winning three championships was largely assisted by playing alongside star teammates for longer.
Wade, who has stayed silent on the career comparison, appeared on The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, perfectly content with his standing in the game.
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"Listen, rent is expensive in America, and I'm living rent free right now," Wade said. "So let him keep—I like living rent free."
“Rent is expensive and I’m living rent free…it’s documented, I don’t need to say anything…I went and got my Avengers…”
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) August 8, 2023
- @DwyaneWade finally responds to Paul Pierce’s comments on who in fact had the better career. 😂 #HeatCulture
📺 https://t.co/UYp07snQ73
🎙️… pic.twitter.com/RPBRaP5gv3
Pierce, whose career was highlighted by leading the Celtics to the 2008 NBA championship where he was named Finals MVP, along with 10 All-Star appearances, was enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
Meanwhile, Wade, who is set to join Pierce in the Hall of Fame in the 2023 Class, boasts a resume of three rings in Miami, along with a Finals MVP trophy, while being named an All-Star on 13 occasions.
Despite the conversation, Wade isn't too keen on comparing careers.
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"It's documented," Wade said. "I don't need to say anything. Everything is documented. So, I'll let you guys go ahead and talk about all that stuff. It sounds better coming from y'all than me."
"I'm done playing the game of basketball. I'm not comparing myself to someone who's not playing the game, or who is playing the game."
Pierce made the argument that if he had teammates of the caliber of Wade, for as long as he did, he would have more titles next to his name.
"Put [Shaquille O'Neal] on my team. Put LeBron [James] and [Chris] Bosh with me. I'm not gonna win one? You don't think? Me, LeBron and Bosh — we're not gonna win one?" Pierce said last month, appearing "It Is What It Is" hosted by rap legends Cam'ron and Mase.
While Pierce believes he was a better scorer than Wade, he clarified that he wasn't intending to criticize Wade's career, rather, that his skills were underappreciated during those losing seasons.
"For a long time, my skills went unappreciated because I didn't get to play with a lot of great players," Pierce said.
"And then I got to play with KG [Kevin Garnett] and Ray [Allen] past their prime. Four years earlier, you put me, Ray, and KG together, you think we're not walking away with three 'ships?"
“My skills went unappreciated because I didn’t get to play with a lot of great players.” - @paulpierce34
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) July 22, 2023
D. Wade vs The Truth
via #ItIsWhatItIs pic.twitter.com/9DOfxFyzE0
While the Heat receive criticism for forming their Big 3 of Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, Wade says people are just mad he went and got his "Avengers" to compete with the Celtics' Big 3 in the Eastern Conference.
"I'm happy with my career. I don't know who's not happy with theirs, but I'm sorry if you're not. But I'm happy with the way mine went," Wade said.