Hall of Famer Paul Pierce has never been afraid to speak his mind. The one-time NBA champion is on a podcast called No Fouls Given. It’s presented by Playmaker, and his co-hosts are three-time NBA champion Danny Green and Big Wos.Â
Recently, a clip has gone viral in which the trio discussed their Mount Rushmore of shooting guards in the NBA. Paul Pierce made a strong statement on the podcast. Pierce believes Allen Iverson is a better all-time SG than James Harden. His co-hosts argued that Harden has a historic resume. However, Pierce said he thought Allen Iverson was “the system” before James Harden.
Paul Pierce is taking Allen Iverson over James Harden for the better all-time SG
Paul Pierce says he’s still taking Allen Iverson over James Harden 👀
(🎥 @NFGShow / https://t.co/ytYsL0bkKQ) pic.twitter.com/f7TJNBoU6X
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 24, 2025
Comparing two all-time great players is never easy. Allen Iverson and James Harden played in different eras. Harden’s rookie year was Iverson’s final season in the NBA. On the No Fouls Given podcast, Hall of Famer Paul Pierce made the argument that Iverson is a better all-time SG than Harden. However, Paul Pierce did admit some bias in his answer. He said he “favors” Allen Iverson because the two battled against each other in their primes.
Pierce explained how he had multiple playoff matchups vs. Allen Iverson in his time with the Celtics. He said the presence that Iverson brought to the court was unmatched. His co-hosts, Danny Green and Big Wos, pushed back slightly on Paul Pierce’s comments. Green and Harden were in the same draft class. The three-time NBA champion had to show some love to Harden.
Paul Pierce, Danny Green & Big Wos debate LeBron’s “fit in” controversy, talk about the situation in the East & much more:https://t.co/tSxoPKeZ4k
— No Fouls Given (@NFGShow) November 21, 2025
They argued that James Harden was “the system” before Luka Doncic entered the league. Green made the point that the Rockets were winning 50+ games per season when Harden was in his prime. Paul Pierce rebutted and said that Allen Iverson was “the system” before Harden entered the league.
It’s a fun argument to compare Allen Iverson and James Harden as all-time SGs. Iverson played 14 seasons in the NBA, and Harden is in year 17. Both players have 11 career All-Star selections and one NBA MVP to their name. Iverson has led the league in scoring four times and Harden three times. Additionally, neither has won an NBA championship in their career. Harden still has time, but he’s gone 17 seasons without winning one. When you stack their compare their career achievements, Allen Iverson and James Harden are not too dissimilar.
