Kobe Bryant is undoubtedly one of the most competitive players to ever play in the NBA. Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce can certainly vouch for it.
In a recent appearance on the ‘I Am Athlete’ podcast, Pierce opened up on how Bryant got competitive with him when the two superstars were shooting for a commercial.
“In the commercial … you are supposed to fake it,” Pierce said. “So, I’m going to make a move and he knocks the ball out my hand. … He really trying to play defense. I’m like ‘Dawg, I didn’t come up here for this.’ I was tripping off of that. I was like, ‘Damn, you really gotta go hard everywhere.’ That’s how hard he went every time.
(Starts at 21:07)
Bryant never turned off his competitive side, even during commercials. That’s how badly Kobe wanted to win during his career.
For what it’s worth, Kobe’s competitive side helped him in winning five NBA Championships and becoming a tier-one Lakers superstar by the end of his time in the league.
Kobe Bryant And Paul Pierce Battled Against Each Other In NBA Finals
Being active in the 2010s, Kobe Bryant and Paul Pierce had a great rivalry in the NBA. After all, they were the primary superstars of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, respectively.
They faced off in the NBA Finals for the first time in 2008. The series ended with the Celtics registering a 4-2 win over the Lakers. Pierce averaged 21.8 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 6.3 APG while shooting 43.2% from the field and 39.3% from deep. On the other hand. 25.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 5.0 APG. He maintained 40.5% from the field and 32.1% from downtown.
Kobe Bryant got his revenge against Pierce and the Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals. In a nail-biting series that went on until seven games, the Lakers won 4-3. Bryant averaged 28.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 3.9 APG while shooting 40.5% from the field and 31.9% from the three-point line. In the series, Pierce averaged just 18.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 3.0 APG. The Truth shot 43.9% from the field and a remarkable 40.0% from deep.
Both series gave NBA fans some memorable moments. After 2010, NBA fans never got a chance to see Bryant and Pierce face off in the playoffs again.
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