LeBron James should retire from the NBA, according to one Hall of Famer. But his reasoning has nothing to do with James’ current skillset.
Paul Pierce said James should hang up his sneakers because he believes critics are harsh on him as a 41-year-old in the NBA.
Pierce added the believed some of the NBA’s greatest players in James’ class did not receive the same treatment in the twilight years of their respective careers.
“Yeah, I think he should, man,” Pierce said on former Celtics and Nets teammate Kevin Garnett’s “KG: Certified” podcast. “Just like for the simple fact that at the age that he still receives the criticism that he still does. The greats wasn’t getting this criticism late. Nobody was criticizing Kobe [Bryant] when he wasn’t going to the playoffs in his last year. They was just enjoying his moments. Like, the same with [Michael] Jordan in Washington.”
The Lakers’ season ended in the second round of the playoffs earlier this week when they were swept in four games by the defending champion Thunder.
Following the loss, James said he wasn’t sure what his future in the game held.
Sources told The California Post the same message, that James was unsure and had not yet decided what his next steps were.
“Obviously, we’re still fresh from losing — I don’t know what the future holds for me as it stands right now,” James said. ”I got a lot of time. I’ll sit back, like I said last year after we lost to Minnesota, I [will] go back and recalibrate with my family, talk with them and spend some time with them. And then when the time comes, obviously, you guys will know what I decide to do.”
The four-time league MVP and 22-time All-Star still played at a high level for Los Angeles this year with 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
In the Game 4 loss to OKC, he recorded a 24-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Pierce added that he believes the critics who have harped on any of James’ issues have not put his age into the right perspective.
“For the simple fact that the man is 41, and we still critiquing him like he 25 and should be winning championships still,” Pierce said. “Just the criticism he gets still. He still gets criticism.”