Future Hall of Famer and NBA superstar LeBron James dominated the 2010s.
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He reached the NBA Finals eight times, all consecutively, and broke records in the process. James is arguably the greatest of all time, and his play in NBA lore is etched in history.
The 40-year-old superstar will soon enter his 23rd season in the league, and whenever he calls it a career, he will be a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer.
However, before he reached this status, James had his fair share of struggles getting over the hump, particularly against Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics. James struggled to get past the Celtics, but ultimately did in 2012 when he defeated them on his way to his first NBA title.
In a recent interview, Pierce credited himself with helping James reach his peak, dating back to their meeting in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.
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"I had a couple like playoff battles with Bron and he really brought out the best of me. But I will say, I brought out the best out of him too," Pierce said.
"When he came to Boston, Game 6, I think it was in 2012, and he gave me the 40-something piece, because I was about to go back to the Finals, he played the game of his life, and I was like, 'respect'.
"That's when he took the next step because I know I pushed him."
The game Pierce is referring to is Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. The Miami Heat were on the brink of elimination, and it would have been yet another disappointing season for James. However, James was having none of that as he played arguably the best game of his career.
In the contest, James went to another zone, recording 45 points on an efficient 19-of-26 shooting from the field, 15 rebounds and five assists in 45 minutes in what was a rout by the Heat.
The Heat extended the series and ultimately won in seven games.
Pierce was the primary defender on James, but that was no issue for the four-time champion as he averaged 33.6 points per game, 11.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 11 steals, and 1.3 blocks while shooting 52.7 percent from the field and 29 percent from beyond the arc.
Pierce could say what he wants, but it was James and his teammates who helped him reach that level to help him reach G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) status.
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