As a former NBA champion with the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce knows what it takes to reach the NBA’s summit. Alongside Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, Pierce helped the Celtics lift the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2008. And the way it was done was terrific too. The Celtics edged out their bitter rivals, the Lakers, to claim the title. Moreover, Pierce won the NBA Finals MVP award after matching up against the regular season MVP, Kobe Bryant.
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Paul Pierce (R) of the Boston Celtics moves the ball away from Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the Game 3 of the 2008 NBA Finals in Los Angeles, California, June 10, 2008. Bryant scored 36 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held off Boston to defeat the Celtics 87-81, pulling within two games to one in the National Basketball Association Finals. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
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It was yet another achievement for a storied franchise like the Celtics. This was especially true due to the fact that the Celtics assembled the aforementioned big three in the hopes of winning a title. In light of Pierce’s championship pedigree, he sat down with former co-star Kevin Garnett prior to the 2022 All-Star Weekend. Along with several other topics, the two discussed the Phoenix Suns’ big man JaVale McGee and how he could benefit the team.
Paul Pierce on JaVale McGee
The discussion began with Kevin Garnett saying that McGee improved the Suns’ squad. Thereafter, Pierce explained how Embiid could benefit the team.
“I’mma tell you, they’re gonna need him (JaVale McGee) if they have to matchup up against one of them bigs in the East like Embiid, like ‘Greek Freak,'” said Pierce.
“McGee has gotten so much better in the last 5-6 years. That was one of the most underrated pickups of the offseason,” he added.
Furthermore, Garnett added that McGee’s presence took the Suns to a new level. Thereafter, Pierce said that if McGee were present in the 2021 finals, the Suns would’ve won the title.
Clearly, Pierce knows the effect of a big man on a team. This is especially true since he won the 2008 title with his big man co-star Kevin Garnett. In fact, Garnett led the Celtics in terms of scoring and rebounding. His dominance assured the Celtics a victory.
For JaVale McGee, he was able to turn things around in his career after joining the Golden State Warriors. With the Warriors, McGee had a crucial role off the bench. Even with minimal minutes, he was able to provide the team with both scoring and rebounding. Thereafter, those numbers went up when he joined the Lakers.
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JaVale McGee on the Warriors, Lakers and Suns (Stats valid as of 23rd Feb 2022. Warriors and Lakers stats are inclusive of Regular Season and Playoffs)
Again, with minimal minutes, but as a starter, he pushed his scoring and rebounding up. His presence helped the Lakers to championship number 17. Today, with the Phoenix Suns, the big man averages nearly 10 points and 7 points per game off the bench. Clearly, McGee is an important piece for the success of the Suns.
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