NBA Legend Paul Pierce Noticed One 'Clear' Thing About the Thunder Amid NBA Finals

Following the Thunder's Game 3 loss in a tightly contested NBA Finals matchup, Pierce appeared on "The Herd" to deliver a blunt message that encapsulated his view on Oklahoma City’s struggles. 

In a terse, five-word message, he stated, “They're getting tired. It's clear.”

Pierce went on to also explain, "It's draining when you're getting picked up full court or when somebody's just on your body at all times. By the fourth quarter, when you have to do so much for your team, it wears you down."

His point was clear: when a team is continually pushed to its physical limits without sufficient rest, fatigue sets in quickly, ultimately leading to lapses in defensive and offensive execution from the Thunder collectively. 

Pierce also went on to praise Indiana for its relentless strategy on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. 

"They're picking him up full," Pierce said. "They're playing the long game. They're like, all right, he may get us in the beginning, but we're going to pick a full court. By the time that fourth quarter comes, he's going to be so worn down because he has to do it on both ends of the court."

Through his critique, Pierce not only sends a stark warning to the Thunder but also offers a timeless reminder that championship-caliber teams are defined by their ability to maintain intensity throughout every minute of the game.