Latest news with #LALegends
Fox Sports
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Is Paul Pierce the Greatest Athlete to Come Out of LA? Baron Davis Says So
National Basketball Association Is Paul Pierce the Greatest Athlete to Come Out of LA? Baron Davis Says So Published Jul. 1, 2025 12:03 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link During "South Central Stars," the first episode of Keyshawn Johnson's new limited series "LA Legends", Baron Davis made a bold claim that Paul Pierce is the greatest athlete to come out of the Los Angeles area. "He's a Hall of Famer," Davis said. "He's a champion. … He [has] got to be No. 1." "Based on start to finish, (Pierce) is numero uno," Johnson said agreeingly. With that notion, Pierce would be ranked over Hall of Famers such as Jackie Robinson, John Elway, Michael Cooper, and many others who made a name for themselves after growing up in LA. Pierce, who won the NBA Finals with the Boston Celtics in 2008, certainly has a strong case, which is impressive, as Los Angeles has shaped numerous sports icons. There aren't many more knowledgeable people to discuss those figures than the three athletes Johnson sat down with — a player panel including himself, Davis, Pierce and 15-year NFL wide receiver and three-time Pro-Bowler DeSean Jackson. Each had illustrious professional sports careers — in basketball for Davis and Pierce, and football for Johnson and Jackson — and their upbringings in Los Angeles helped launch their success. To kick off Johnson's limited series, "LA Legends," the player panel revealed narratives and shared stories that illuminated how coming up in the inner city of Los Angeles impacted their paths. ADVERTISEMENT Johnson and Davis developed such strong connections with the city that they felt it was only right to pay Los Angeles back by representing it during their collegiate careers. Johnson played football at USC, while Davis remained local and played basketball at UCLA. "I could always go home and get a meal from my auntie," Johnson said. That continuity and familiarity was crucial to Johnson's success throughout college. It ultimately helped him get drafted first overall in the 1996 NFL Draft. Davis' decision on where to play college ball was also influenced by his love for Los Angeles. "I wanted to put LA on the map," he said. "I want to build a legacy here." He chose that, he said, over playing basketball at the University of Kansas, where Pierce ended up attending. Pierce and Jackson had opposite reactions to growing up in the inner city of Los Angeles — choosing to leave the city for their college careers helped them avoid the negative side of gang culture. If it weren't for that decision, their greatness might have been suppressed. "I could not be in LA," Pierce said, explaining why he chose KU. "I was about to fail out my senior year." He still, however, learned from his invaluable childhood in Los Angeles. "The streets will shape you," Pierce added. "You gotta learn when to run." Pierce took his opportunity to play at a nationally renowned program outside of Los Angeles and used that as his launching point to become one of the greatest athletes from LA, or as Davis and Johnson put it, "the best." Jackson chose UC Berkeley over Johnson's alma mater, USC, but it was because Trojans' head coach Pete Carroll gave his jersey number, No. 1, to Patrick Turner. It turned out to be a good move for Jackson as he was an All-American in 2006 and led the Pac-12 in yards per reception during his sophomore season. Throughout their professional sports careers and adult lives, each of the players who appeared on "South Central Stars" kept the inner city of Los Angeles near their hearts and in their minds. Now, as they go into their post-career era, their stories can influence the next generation — showing that athletes from LA can make it to the top of their sport if they focus on their sport and remain dedicated. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Basketball Association share
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Fox Sports
Keyshawn Johnson Returns to Los Angeles Roots in New Limited Series 'LA Legends'
Last November, FOX Sports' Keyshawn Johnson returned to Susan Miller Dorsey High School in Baldwin Hills alongside fellow South Central LA native Paul Pierce to relive their shared inner-city upbringings. Most notably, Johnson revealed how local gang members would intimidate rival high schools by shooting out the stadium lights — earning Dorsey's Jackie Robinson Field its infamous nickname, " The Terrordome ." This summer, Johnson, a USC alum, former No. 1 overall draft pick and 11-year NFL wide receiver, is diving deeper into his Los Angeles roots in a new limited series titled "LA Legends" on his digital show "All Facts No Brakes." Johnson sits down with legendary figures interconnected within the LA landscape and immerses himself in the fabric of the city by visiting landmarks such as California State Prison and Inglewood High School. Through storytelling with guests such as Baron Davis, Trevor Ariza, Candace Parker and Ice Cube, "LA Legends" captures the heartbeat of Los Angeles and how the city shaped each legend's career. Watch the series trailer and catch new episodes of the show weekly at 9 a.m. ET on "All Facts No Brakes." Episode 1: South Central Stars (ft. DeSean Jackson, Baron Davis and Paul Pierce) These four former pro athletes and LA natives sit down for an authentic conversation about how growing up here shaped their mentality and success. Episode 2: Women's Hoops Pioneers (ft. Candace Parker and Cheryl Miller) On the heels of her jersey retirement with the Sparks, Candace Parker joins up with her GOAT Cheryl Miller to discuss their impact on women's hoops. Episode 3: N.W.A Tribute (ft. Lil Eazy-E, DJ Yella and Arabian Prince) Founding members of N.W.A — DJ Yella and Arabian Prince — join Lil Eazy-E's son to pay tribute to the group's South Central LA roots and cultural impact. Episode 4: Ice Cube Sit-down Ice Cube sits down for a 1-on-1 conversation about delivering the Dodgers World Series trophy, playing street basketball and pivoting from local Compton celebrity to worldwide star. Episode 5: Rowley Park Hoops (ft. Brandon Jennings and Michael Cooper) Brandon Jennings returns to his hometown Compton basketball gym, where he has since rehabilitated, with a surprise appearance by childhood mentor Michael Cooper. Episode 6: Paul Pierce Returns to Inglewood Paul Pierce meets Keyshawn Johnson at his old stomping grounds at Inglewood High School and the two reflect on their shared roots in the heart of LA. Episode 7: Los Angeles Prison visit (ft. Trevor Ariza) In partnership with the LA-based non-profit "Between the Lines," Keyshawn Johnson heads to California State Prison in Los Angeles County with Lakers champion Trevor Ariza to play basketball with the incarcerated population. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
