Pierce: Tatum's underappreciated because he plays in Boston

Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce believes Jayson Tatum would be appreciated more if he didn't play in Beantown.

Pierce came to Tatum's defense on a recent episode of the "KG Certified" podcast, arguing that the Celtics star doesn't receive the credit he deserves because of where he has spent his eight-year NBA career.

"Because he plays for Boston," Pierce said. "It's just what it is. Every player through Boston, even Larry Bird, was underappreciated. You know what I'm saying? 'Cause at one point, he was the best player in the league, but it was always Magic (Johnson). ...

"Boston is the most hated franchise, hated team in all of sports. In all of basketball for sure."

Pierce was responding to a recent interview with Tatum during which All-Star forward said he doesn't feel appreciated.

"If you took the name and the face away from all my accomplishments and you're just like, 'This is what this Player A accomplished at 26,' people would talk about (me) a lot differently," Tatum said.

Tatum is averaging 26.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and a career-high 5.8 assists through 58 games this season. The Celtics are the reigning NBA champions and haven't missed the playoffs since drafting Tatum third overall in 2017.