Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce went on the Dan Le Batard Show and said that he thinks his 2008 Celtics could beat the 2024 Celtics. He thinks his team would break the current day roster like they did LeBron James in Cleveland.
“Our team, we knew how to break teams mentally. What we lacked in skill, we had in will…we going to turn into a bar fight. This ain’t going to be finesse, it’s going to be body blow for body blow.”
Pierce used a jab at LeBron to prove his ability to break players: “I’ve been known to break a few wills—sent some of them from Cleveland to Miami.”
The 2007-08 Celtics went 66-16 in the regular season, and were 16-10 in the playoffs, beating the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the NBA Finals.
The 2023-34 Celtics went 64-18 in the regular season, and 16-3 in the playoffs, beating the Dallas Mavericks in five games. So, the 2008 Celtics were the better regular season team, but the 2024 Celtics were the better playoff team.
So, would the 2008 squad win? In modern times, no way. In their time, still no. In the modern NBA, the physicality from their time is basically treated as assault, so they would have players foul out left and right. In their time, even with physical play, the 2024 Celtics have so much more talent, it’s insane.
Overall, the 2008 Celtics are a championship team, no doubt. However, they ain’t beating one of the greatest squads of all time.
Paul Pierce says the 2008 Celtics would break the current Celtics mentally, just like he did to LeBron in Cleveland
“I’ve been known to break a few wills—sent some of them from Cleveland to Miami.” ?
(? @LeBatardShow )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 2, 2024
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