"Nobody is tuning into this": NBA fans roast Paul Pierce for joining Joy Taylor and Keyshawn Johnson as new hosts for FS1’s 'Speak'

NBA legend Paul Pierce is set to join Fox Sports 1’s “Speak” program as the network undergoes changes following Skip Bayless’s departure. Fans, however, are less than thrilled with the new lineup of hosts.

According to the NY Post, Paul Pierce will be alongside Joy Taylor and retired NFL wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson as the new hosts of FS1’s “Speak.” Both Pierce and Johnson were previously featured on the “Undisputed” show with Bayless.

Fan reactions have been largely negative, with X (formerly Twitter) user @AidanLaPorta69 commenting:

“Nobody is tuning into this lol.”

Another user, @Jordanooo17, added:

“We will not be watching.”

While some fans expressed excitement about Joy Taylor, others voiced their discontent:

"Joy Taylor gotta get off that show,” according to @SportsarenatzTz.

“Guess I won’t be watching this show anymore. I only tuned in for Joy, but now with this guy on, I’m done,” said @BrowBron_.

Here are more fan responses to Paul Pierce joining the “Speak” program.

Fans are not amused with Paul Pierce's new venture

Looking back at the time Paul Pierce was fired from ESPN

Paul Pierce, the former NBA star and ESPN analyst, was dismissed from ESPN in April 2021 following a controversial Instagram Live video.

The viral video showed Pierce at a party with exotic dancers, smoking and drinking, all while flouting social distancing protocols during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This incident raised concerns about his behavior and led to his removal from ESPN's NBA Countdown program, where he had been a key figure since 2017.

“I got fired for what? For having some fun,” Pierce said on the “I Am Athlete” podcast. “I was playing cards, it was my friend’s birthday, there were girls dancing, and we were smoking; what did I do wrong?”

Pierce recounted his conversation with an ESPN executive:

“She’s like, ‘We’re doing an investigation, can you explain what happened?’” he said. “And I’m like, ‘Didn’t you see it?’ I was hanging out, playing cards; it was self-explanatory. … I didn’t do anything illegal, but it’s Disney, so they have a morals clause and decided it was immoral.”

A 10-time All-Star and NBA champion, Pierce served as an analyst for ESPN’s The Jump and NBA Countdown after retiring in 2017 with a 19-season career.

Pierce played for four teams, namely the Boston Celtics, Brookly Nets, Washington Wizards and LA Clippers.

He averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 1,343 regular-season games. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.