Retired Boston Celtics icon Paul Pierce shared yet another controversial take on Friday, claiming his former team boasts the best starting lineup in the league today.
The Truth appeared in an ESPN segment and went in detail why he believes the Celtics' starting core of Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, and Daniel Theis is indeed the most complete line-up.
“Boston poses the best threat, and not because I played for Boston. When you look at their roster, Jayson Tatum started playing like a superstar before this work stoppage. In my opinion, Boston has the best starting five in the NBA,” the 42-year-old player-turned-analyst said.
I’ll wait pic.twitter.com/CIjA0cGeRW
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) June 26, 2020
While Paul Pierce does have a history of making outlandish claims over the course of his short broadcasting career, he is certainly spot on his Tatum observation.
The 22-year-old Duke product made his first All-Star team this year, following splendid averages of 23.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 59 games. Tatum's ascent to stardom also powered the Celtics to the third-best record in the Eastern Conference at 43-21.
To be fair, Boston's starting core is indeed filled with versatile players. Wing players like Tatum, Brown, and Hayward can play multiple positions, while Theis has also been a revelation at center for the Celtics this year.
Their defensive stud Marcus Smart has also done a phenomenal job as a starter when Hayward and Brown went down to injuries. The team has played like a well-oiled machine for most of the year, thanks also in large part to the brilliance of head coach Brad Steven.
Still, it's quite hard to agree with Pierce's perceptions, given that the Celtics do not look like they even have the best starting unit in the East, let alone the entire league. Title favorites Milwaukee Bucks arguably have a more formidable first five, while the defending champs Toronto Raptors are also in consideration.
Seems like we can add Pierce's latest proclamation to his long list of controversial tales.
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