“I would say that I don’t really have an individual rivalry. I think the closest would be Paul Pierce.” LeBron James spoke to NBATV and credited the Celtics legend for being the greatest competitor. They faced each other a total of 69 times in NBA games, including numerous playoff appearances. Despite that rivalry, the Truth seems to have mixed reactions towards his former adversary. Recently, he retracted one such statement.

“I had a feeling that this would have been LeBron’s last year.” On the show Speak, Paul Pierce recalled suggesting this year would be the Lakers superstar’s final swansong in the NBA. At the time, he thought Bronny’s debut in the league would be the final accomplishment for LeBron. But because of his recent performance, Pierce was ready to accept his bad judgment. However, the former champion was quick to praise the Akron native and his habits for still producing MVP-level performances.

“What are his bad habits? Like you don’t hear about him at the hookah bar like we hear…we don’t hear him out at the club uh having drinks with everybody like we hear about certain players.” Paul Pierce continued, “it’s like if he has bad habits it’s probably to a minimum, and it’s like whatever. Okay, he can have an occasional wine, whatever.”

The Lakers are currently on a seven-game winning streak after beating the New Orleans Pelicans 136-115. LeBron’s first basket against the Pelicans was a 3-pointer that gave him over 50,000 career points when combining regular and postseason. Thus, he became the first player in the history of the league to achieve that landmark. The 40-year-old also earned Western Conference Player of the Month for February. His production was 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.2 steals while shooting 55.5% from the field.

Seeing the quality even today, Paul Peirce was ready to take back his statement. Because he knows how fierce those battles were against LeBron. The 4x NBA champion had an edge with a 35-34 winning record. But it was the Truth who has the upper hand with a 17-13 record in Playoffs.

Paul Pierce was not this lenient just a few months ago

Past remarks from the Celtics legend have always been mixed. There are times when he is ready to crown LeBron James the GOAT. On the other days, the 10x All-Star refers to himself as more clutch than King James. There is no doubt that the 2008 MVP has always been critical, and just a few months ago, he stated it could be the final season for the 40-year-old.

“This is LeBron’s worst stretch of his career… He’s gonna have to cut down on his minutes… This could be LeBron James’ last season in the NBA.” During the FS1 show, Paul Pierce called out LeBron for missing a three-point shot in four consecutive games. His streak at the time was 0-for-19, and he scored a season-low with 10 points against the Wolves. Even in that particular game, his shooting was abysmal: 4-of-16 shooting from the field in L.A.’s loss.

But just a few months later, the Lakers forward has turned it around. Winning the player of the month award and led the Laker nation to a second seed in the West.