When one thinks of the most difficult players to guard in the history of the NBA, names like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant automatically enter the list. Both of them possessed elite footwork, skill, and killer mentality. That made them apex predators in their domain, making the defenders easy prey. However, according to Wally Szczerbiak, an NBA veteran and now a CBS analyst, the toughest competition was a Celtics legend – none other than Paul Pierce.
That’s a bold claim considering Jordan’s dominance and Kobe’s relentless attack, but it speaks to just how uniquely difficult this Celtics star was to stop. It’s not often that someone gets ranked above MJ and Kobe in terms of difficulty, so hearing this from someone who’s been around the game raises eyebrows. The question now is, what made this Celtics legend such a different kind of challenge?
On the Dan Patrick Show, shared on YouTube, Wally Szczerbiak divulged, “I’ve always said this, it was Paul Pierce. I played against him for years. He was such a smart basketball player. For me, being 6’7″, 6’8″, Paul Pierce had the height that could match up with me. And I just had a lot of problems guarding him.” Wally Szczerbiak faced Pierce multiple times. Wally was with the Timberwolves while Pierce was the star player for the Boston Celtics. He had a tough time dealing with the basketball IQ that Paul Pierce had. Also, being of a similar build, physicality coupled with his smartness became troublesome. Then, Wally described what made him a menace.
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Former NBA Player Paul Pierce before Game Seven of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on May 27, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
“He changed speeds. Was so smart,” said Wally, referring to his quick directional changes, which were difficult to predict. He then praised Pierce, reflecting on how their relationship had evolved over time. He said, “ He was one of the most underrated superstars, I think, in my generation. I had the opportunity to play with him in Boston also for a year and a half. Got to know him as a guy. But he was a handful for me.”
The Celtics acquired Szczerbiak midway through the 2005-06 season. Coincidentally, that was the season Pierce was at his prime. 26.8 PPG, 4.7 APG, and 6.7 RPG. Truly one of the greatest Celtics of all time.
Despite being a Hall of Famer, Paul Pierce is rarely mentioned among the hardest players to guard. Yet those who faced him tell a different story. Let us see why he was a nightmare to guard.
Why Paul Pierce’s ability and physicality made him a nightmare to guard
Look, when people talk about the toughest players to guard, the usual suspects pop up: MJ, Kobe, LeBron. But what about Paul Pierce? He might not always be the first name thrown into that conversation, but ask the guys who actually had to guard him, and they’ll tell you that Pierce was a problem. Supposedly not just for the opponents, his former team has been within the crossfire at times, too!
The thing about Pierce was that he didn’t just rely on pure athleticism. He was not going to blow by you with insane speed or outjump you like Vince Carter. But what he did have was a ridiculous offensive bag. It consisted of footwork, balance, strength, and a jumper that felt automatic. James Harden openly admits he modeled parts of his game – his physicality, stepbacks, and midrange mastery – after Paul Pierce.
Paul Pierce (R) of the Boston Celtics moves the ball away from Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers during the Game 3 of the 2008 NBA Finals in Los Angeles, California, June 10, 2008. Bryant scored 36 points and the Los Angeles Lakers held off Boston to defeat the Celtics 87-81, pulling within two games to one in the National Basketball Association Finals. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
And then when he got to his spots? Forget about it. Like Kevin Garnett said, “He had the makeup to hit big pressure shots at any time.” Which is a callback to his buzzer-beaters when his team needed it the most. His tenacity in the big moments isn’t a one-off.
Big players deliver in big moments, and no moment was bigger than Pierce’s duel with LeBron James in Game 5 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals. In a must-win game, Pierce dropped 41 points, matching LeBron bucket for bucket in an instant classic. With the Celtics’ season hanging in the balance, he nailed contested jumpers, bulldozed through defenders, and made clutch plays down the stretch. The defining moment? With under a minute left, he stepped up to the free-throw line, drained both shots, and secured Boston’s path to the NBA Finals
Then there was the physicality. Pierce wasn’t flashy, but he knew how to use his body better than almost anyone. He’d bump you, create space with that strong frame, and wear defenders down over the course of a game. His ability to absorb contact and still finish was underrated. Just ask Cedric Maxwell, a Celtics veteran. He said, “ Paul was about 230 at about 6’7” so he had the height, he had the build, he had the stamina, and he was competitive as hell.” Speaking on the deadly combination Paul Pierce possessed.
So, yeah, when professionals say Paul Pierce was one of the hardest players to guard, you should believe them. It wasn’t pretty, but it was brutally effective.
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