Pierce ready for Celtics 'to dethrone LeBron'

Fresh off signing a one-day contract with the Boston Celtics and announcing his plan to retire with the team, Paul Pierce is ready to see a shift within the Eastern Conference.

While Pierce can't aid in the on-floor process of defeating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 39-year-old gave a ringing endorsement of the Celtics roster, third overall pick Jayson Tatum, and the organization's overall future.

"I like the whole squad, man. It's time to dethrone LeBron in the East. We back. We back," said Pierce, per Jay King of MassLive.com.

With the addition of Gordon Hayward and Tatum's selection, Pierce has reasons to be optimistic about the Celtics. Despite getting steamrolled by LeBron and the Cavaliers in the playoffs, Boston now looks primed to compete with the Cavs both next season and for years to come.

It's a battle Tatum will feature in as he develops and works himself into an established role. And though he's just a 19-year-old rookie, Pierce is excited about his future.

"That Tatum kid, he's going to be real as long as he keeps working," said Pierce. "He's got a lot of the tools. I like that kid."

Pierce isn't alone in that belief. Positive reviews about Tatum have been flowing in from across the league after the Duke product averaged 17.7 points and eight rebounds in three summer league games.

James' Cavaliers have come out of the Eastern Conference for three straight seasons, but the battle for conference supremacy looks tighter than ever because of the changes that have Pierce gushing.