In the world of basketball debates, no contest draws more blood than the eternal question of Who is the NBA’s Greatest of All time? From Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s skyhook dominance and Michael Jordan’s aerial acrobatics to Kobe Bryant’s two-decade reign of excellence and LeBron James’ impressive athleticism, fans have used statistics, championships, and eye tests to crown their champion. Yet, with his take on the latter of the lot, Paul Pierce found himself in hot waters.

In the latest episode of the Speak Up Sports podcast, the Boston Celtics veteran ignited a firestorm in the basketball community with his statement. According to the 2008 NBA champion, LeBron James could equal Michael Jordan’s GOAT status by securing just one more ring.

“Most basketball guys we go back and forth on who’s the GOAT. Michael Jordan, LeBron, you know what depends on what era you played in and you know I think he does feel like he does have something to prove. Cause I feel like if he can win one more championship. If LeBron wins one more championship that will put him one behind Michael Jordan. I think there’ll probably be no more argument of who’s the GOAT,” said Pierce during the podcast.

If we look at the numbers, James is behind Jordan by two rings. But at the same time, he has more accolades than His Airness in terms of All-Star and All-NBA appearances. King James also has more career points with 40474 points, to the Chicago Bulls legend’s 32,292.

As James continues his 21st NBA season, his legacy grows with each game. Whether or not another championship would definitively settle the GOAT debate is questionable, but one thing is certain: Paul Pierce’s opinion on the matter has inadvertently become a lightning rod for criticism from fans.

Fans are not happy with Paul Pierce’s stance on LeBron James

The NBA world was sent into a frenzy after Paul Pierce’s audacious claim. The GOAT debate hasn’t been one to be settled so easily. Especially not when the use of championship rings as a measure itself remains disagreed upon. Gilbert Arenas would attest to that. So with Pierce’s seeming assertion, fans let out bitter reactions.

“lol what a clown,” and another conveyed, “Wrong-o,” with a gif.

In 2020, when the Los Angeles Lakers won their championship, the season was shortened to 77 games per team because of the COVID and one fan was quick to point it out. “MJ has 6, if LeBron won another it would be 5…. Also covid finals don’t count. So technically it would be 4…. LeBron also let a lot of people win or beat him in finals. MJ didn’t,” wrote the fan. Well, Bron made it to the Finals 8 consecutive times, 10 in total, and managed to win 4 of them. Jordan won all the finals appearances he ever made.

One follower even tried to weigh in on the point that when talking about individual prowess, the number of accolades doesn’t matter but what skill one player possesses matters the most. “He can win 10 more and still will never be a better player than Kobe or MJ. There is no fundamental or athletic action in the game he can do better than either of them. He can’t shoot better, dunk, foot work, dribble or score…Benefiting from new rules that manipulate the game??” wrote the fan.

One went as far as to take a dig at the show, Fox Sports 1’s ‘Speak,’ which he has been a part of, for about a month. “That’s why your show is not making it not even a conversation mj is the goat.”

While all were busy dismissing the former Boston Celtics veteran, one fan took some time to laud Paul Pierce.”Love Paul Peirce on T.V,” said the follower.

It is certain that While LeBron’s accomplishments are impressive, Jordan’s legacy remains unmatched. Ultimately, the question of who is the greatest basketball player of all time is a matter of opinion. Or, as MJ himself puts it, “It’s unfair [to compare players across different eras].”