Boston Celtics icon Paul Pierce sparked widespread discussion in the NBA community with his bold assertion that Jayson Tatum, the current Celtics star, stands as the preeminent American player in the NBA. Pierce not only declared Tatum’s supremacy over established superstars like LeBron James and Kevin Durant but also pinpointed the only significant challenger to Tatum’s throne as Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors. This proclamation from the Celtics legend has added a layer of intrigue to the ongoing debate about the hierarchy of American players in the NBA.

“Right now, the best American in the league is Jayson Tatum… I’m just looking around, and I think he’s passed Kevin Durant, I think he’s passed LeBron [James],” said Pierce, via SHOWTIME Basketball. “The only argument is Steph [Curry].”

Paul Pierce is reinforcing his bold stance, doubling down in response to a user on X (formerly Twitter) who questioned the validity of his rankings. The user pointed out Jayson Tatum’s prestigious status as a member of the First Team All-NBA in the previous season, prompting Pierce to further articulate his perspective. However, Pierce’s refusal to definitively rank Tatum above Stephen Curry might draw criticism from Golden State Warriors fans, especially considering the head-to-head matchup in the 2022 NBA Finals where Curry notably outperformed the Celtics star.

The debate gains complexity as LeBron James and Kevin Durant, while perhaps not at the pinnacle of their prime dominance, continue to exhibit elite-level performances comparable to Tatum’s nightly contributions for the Boston Celtics. Despite this, Pierce remains unwavering in his support of Tatum. Given Pierce’s extensive tenure with the Celtics, his allegiance to Tatum in this ongoing discourse isn’t surprising, adding a layer of team loyalty to the broader discussion about the NBA’s top talents.