LeBron: Pierce's 'next stop is the Hall of Fame'

Greatness recognizes greatness.

After spending much of his career battling Paul Pierce in the Eastern Conference, LeBron James believes the soon-to-be-retiree is more than worthy of a spot in Springfield, Mass.

"He put his mark on this game," James told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com. "Somebody I've had a lot of battles with, somebody I've always respected and competed against and pushed me in the Eastern Conference for quite a while. A champion. His numbers and what he was able to do out on the floor speaks for itself. So I would say his next stop is the Hall of Fame. Great ride. He had a hell of a ride for sure."

Pierce was a member of the last Eastern team to defeat James in the postseason, helping Boston down the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2010 playoffs. James later admitted the defeat caused him to leave Cleveland for Miami that summer in an effort to dethrone the Celtics.

Despite their on-court rivalry, James has shown respect for Pierce in the past, crediting the 39-year-old for helping him "get over the hump."