For anyone to criticize Kobe Bryant for refusing to accept a lesser role with the Lakers would rankle the Los Angeles superstar.
When the criticism comes from rival Paul Pierce, the criticism could sting even more.
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That's precisely what Pierce did, calling out Bryant on a radio station for Bryant's pride.
Pierce's comments were posted by a tweet from Kurt Helin of Pro Basketball Talk as reported by Lakersnation.com.
"That will be tough on some guys in L.A. to take on that (reduced) role *cough* Kobe *cough* I mean, you know, we get older." —Paul Pierce— Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) September 25, 2015
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"Pierce has never been one to mince words and given the chance to take a dig at one of his most fierce rivals, it shouldn't surprise anyone that he had no issue doing so," Lakersnation.com reported. "Now reunited with Doc Rivers, his head coach with the Boston Celtics, Pierce has the chance to rekindle that rivalry this season."
Pierce, who signed with the Clippers during the summer, teamed with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to lead the Celtics past Bryant's Lakers in 2008 for the NBA Championship.
Mitch Kupchak on Kobe's role/deferring to other teammates more: "I don't think it will be any different than it's been in years passed."— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) September 24, 2015
Bryant gained his revenge in 2010 when the Lakers rallied from a three-games-to-two deficit to defeat the Celtics in seven games in the finals. In a previous Lakersnation.com article, general manager Mitch Kupchak said he didn't envision the Black Mamba changing his style of play in 2015-16. Bryant has suffered major injuries the past three seasons and played in just 41 games total in the last two seasons combined.
Knicks team president Phil Jackson, Bryant's former Lakers coach, recently said he believes Bryant is going to have a better season than most people believe he will in 2015-16.
For that to happen, Bryant has to increase his efficiency from 2014-15 before he suffered a torn rotator cuff in his shooting shoulder that ended his season prematurely.
Kobe surely believes that he can still be a top player in this league, but if he is to assume that role, he will need to improve on his efficiency from last season. Kobe shot only 37 percent from the field last year, needing 20 shots to average only 22 points.
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