Pierce advises the Lakers: If you want to compete for the championship, you must get rid of the shackles of the James era and start the Doncic era

On May 2, with the Lakers being eliminated by the Timberwolves in the first round of total score 1-4, 40-year-old James was eliminated in one round for two consecutive years. The former old rival Pierce advised the Lakers on the show, saying that if the Lakers want to compete for the championship again, they must break free from the constraints of the James era and start the Doncic era.

Pearce played for the Celtics during his player age. He had many "death fights" with James. Both sides had their own winning and losing, which was one of the "dead rivals". After retiring, Pierce transformed into a commentator and often deliberately "belittled" James in comments. After all, everyone knows the grudges between both sides.

Now 40-year-old James has fallen in the first round of the playoffs again, and has been in the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive years, and three rounds of the last five years. Since the Lakers won the championship in 2020, James has never led the team to win the championship again, and even James has never advanced to the finals again, with only one experience in the Western Conference Finals.

James' constant aging prevented him from reappearing his former dominance. James has a player option this summer, but judging from the current situation, James will continue to play for the Lakers, and the Lakers will continue to upgrade their lineup, especially strengthening their shortcomings in the center position.

But now Pierce talks about the future of the Lakers in the show "SpeakOnFS1", but he aims his finger at James: "If the Lakers want to become a champion again, they must get rid of the shackles of the James era. It is time to usher in the Doncic era."

However, it is obvious that the Lakers cannot let James go. After all, James still maintains an extremely outstanding competitive state, even if it is not as good as his peak era level, and James' super high traffic is what the Lakers' business needs. What's more, once James starts his retirement tour, the Lakers' commercial value will be further improved.

Pearce's suggestions are not applicable to the current Lakers, and how Pelinka signs and strengthens in the offseason is the key.