“There is no love lost between LeBron James and Paul Pierce.”
That tough but true line was issued during a TV broadcast in 2008 and captured one of the most heated rivalries of The King’s career in the NBA.
LeBron made enemies before he became an NBA championGettyBefore James was forced to take his talents to Miami to finally win an NBA Championship, he was a Cavalier who couldn’t get past Boston in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Things got especially heated for James in 2008 against a loaded Celtics crew that included Kevin Garnett, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Kendrick Perkins and Pierce.
During Game four of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Cleveland trailed 2-1 and was attempting to prove its strength.
James was wrapped up by Pierce during a fast break.
As James tried to untangle himself in the stands, Garnett became involved and James’ mother, Gloria, unexpectedly came into the picture.
“Something that has gone back many years,” an announcer said on the TNT broadcast. “This rivalry has built and is simmering over.”
James’ mother appeared to briefly make contact with Garnett while moving toward her son’s defence.
The young Cleveland star was visibly upset after the play and had to be cooled down, telling his mother: ‘Sit your ass down!”
Cleveland won a gritty game 88-77 to tie the series at two, with James scoring a game-high 21 points and dishing out 13 assists.
It was a different time in the NBA, before three-pointers were flying all the time and the court was spread open.
Pierce has one ring to LeBron’s four USA Today SportsKing James can be fiery on the court, especially when playing rivalry games[/caption] EPAJames was still finding his way in the NBA in 2008 and was pushed hard by Boston[/caption]Boston only scored 12 points in the fourth quarter and no team scored more than 23 in a period.
The Celtics ultimately were the tougher team in the series, taking two more games at home and moving on with a 4-3 advantage.
Boston got the best of James and his Cavaliers again in 2010, knocking Cleveland out of another Eastern Conference semifinals 4-2.
A year later, James was gone.
He made “The Decision,” alienating many NBA fans but also turning the Heat into must-watch TV for basketball devotees across the world.
Boston reached the NBA Finals both years that it beat James’ Cavs in the playoffs, winning it all in 2008 and falling to Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 Finals.
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James eventually won two world championships with Miami, one when he returned to Cleveland and another with the Lakers.
He was a different player in 2008 during a different time in the league.
Things were so different that James’ mother got in the middle of a battle against Pierce, Garnett and the Celtics.
Pierce retired in 2017 but King James is still going strong.
The all-time great picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season, which will see him turn 41.
But after the Lakers made Luka Doncic their focal point in a shock trade, LeBron may be on the move over the offseason.
James was pictured at Cleveland’s practice facility, leading to rumors he was close to a trade that he quickly dismissed.
“And every summer since it was built. I live here still and train every summer. Got damn yall bored man! Go get a plate of food somewhere and enjoy the 4th of July,” he posted on X.
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