SuperBron vs BatPierce

The rivalry between Paul Pierce and LeBron James is an unlikely one. It’s also one of the best in the NBA. Whenever the two match up, their contrasting styles are quite evident. Where LeBron James is a physical marvel, Paul Pierce is so… unsuspecting. Pierce has a solid frame, but he’s not exactly chiseled next to James’ statuesque stature.

It is as if their skill-sets and on-court demeanor mirror a dichotomy that is a fairly common trope. This trope is shared by superheroes Batman and Superman who utilize all the tools at their disposal to be two of the biggest heroes in the DC Universe, with completely different physical abilities.

            Paul Pierce is like Batman. He seems like a regular guy. He uses his high IQ to maximize all of his physical grace and surprisingly sensitive touch around the basket. He doesn’t possess superhuman speed, rather, he’s kind of slow compared to other players, maybe kind of chunky, but you know it’s the kind of chunky that could muscle you around. Pierce/ Batman is a tricky player / hero, playing unconventionally and hitting shots that only come with a confidence of years of finding and perfecting the angles he needs to get around bigger, faster, and stronger opponents. Pierce/ Batman had to develop gadgets and train his mortal body to the peak of human ability.

Artwork by author; Devin Gray

            LeBron James is like Superman. Dwight Howard is too, but for the sake of the rivalry and the sake of the comparison, just let it slide. And LeBron really is a freak of otherworldly talent. He was only gotten bigger since he entered the League, now standing at 6’8” and 250 pounds he can run the floor better than anybody in the NBA. He can absolutely fly down the court when he gets into L-Train mode, can muscle his way through team-strong trap defenses, and can explode into the air harder and faster than anybody in the League.

            It is clear that LeBron is superhumanly gifted. Faster than a speeding bullet? Check. More powerful than a locomotive? Check. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Check.

            Pierce is 6’7” and 235 pounds, so he’s a big guy too, but he wasn’t blessed with the physical dynamism of a Kryptonian prince. Pierce is crafty, like a veteran, except he’s always been crafty. He’s a player that uses what opportunities the game gives him, uses them effectively, has a consistent shot from anywhere on the floor, and knows how to use his body to get to the basket and to get into a position to score.

            Pierce is no slouch on defense either, though LeBron is decidedly the better defender. But what makes Pierce so great is that he does it all with cunning, talent, and luck. Pierce looks so mortal next to LeBron James who is superpowered in comparison. 

Pierce has had his moments of mortality too. The time in the finals when he went down and had to be taken off in a wheel-chair, only to emerge, hobbling from the tunnel and hit two emotional three-pointers has been mocked by some. But being stabbed early inhis NBA career was no joke. 

LeBron has always seemed untouchable.

            Pierce has a wry dry sense of humor, while LeBron attempts it but doesn’t quiteunderstand subtlety. LeBron tries too hard and thinks too much. That’s why he has trouble hitting shots at the buzzer. And that’s why Pierce is so stone cold at the buzzer. He’s not afraid to seem the bad guy, and it’s a role LeBron has struggled in. Superman is a hero in a strange land and he hopes the people understand him. He is a good guy, like LeBron, but doesn’t always grasp the way that average Americans live.

            Prior to LeBron’s move to Miami, he was untouchably popular and shrouded himself in all-American Boy Scout values directed towards economic prosperity and the American Dream. Superman is the American golden boy, a national symbol of strength, something LeBron built through his international play, but cemented with his popular image and global brand. Media makes heroes. 

Pierce is underrated, almost living in the shadows and he prefers it this way.

            LeBron James is the King and thereby in a position at the head of the NBA. While Superman may be the most powerful superhero, and leader of the Justice League, he’s a lame hero to have as a favourite. He’s hard to root for because he’s seemingly invincible, more powerful than any of the other heroes or villains. He’s so untouchable that it’s exciting to see him struggle and fail. This is the same with LeBron James, rooting for him is like shopping at Wal-Mart. It’s no fun if Goliath beats up on David.

            Paul Pierce is the Truth. Batman believes in his objective and doesn’t get caught up in the publicity or branding of himself. That is why he is so misunderstood. For a long time Pierce toiled without superhero-like recognition in Boston, until JLA’s started popping up all around the NBA and he was joined by Garnett and Shuttlesworth. He’s a solid dude who has worked hard and consistently to achieve success.

            LeBron was predestined to be successful and it still seems like he’s just discovering how to really use his full arsenal of powers. And when the two clash it isoften spectacular. LeBron/ Kobe haven’t really built a rivalry through playing each other, and the LeBron/ Melo rivalry never really developed either. Pierce may be LeBron’s truest rival. In 2008 when the two finally met in the playoffs,it came down to game 7 where Pierce’s 41 was more efficient than LeBron’s 45. Pierce was part of a strong Celtics team, and it was universally recognized that LeBron was the brighter individual talent. They have had many othersignificant clashes both before and since.

            Pierce has a flair for heroism. He is at his best when he seems physically or mentally beaten, he always has another trick up his sleeve. Everybody knows his weaknesses, but a bee doesn’t know it’s not supposed to be able to fly so it goes on flying anyways.