Dec 3, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards forward Paul Pierce (34) talks to Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Paul Pierce Makes Feelings Clear About Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Ben Stinar | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 3:15 PM ET

Paul Pierce and Kobe Bryant are two of the best NBA players of all time.

During the prime of their careers, the Hall of Famers faced off against each other in the NBA Finals twice.

Recently, Pierce spoke about going up against Bryant (via FS1's Speak).

Pierce: "If I had to sum it up in one word, just one word... Facing Kobe was stressful... It was hard to get sleep because now you going against the Mamba. The second coming of Jordan... When I looked into the Mamba’s eyes, I saw Jordan’s reflection."

.@paulpierce34 describes what it was like playing against Kobe in the Finals

“If I had to sum it up in just one word to describe playing against Kobe, stressful… When I looked into the Mamba’s eyes, I saw Jordan’s reflection." pic.twitter.com/54uTfaS2W8
— Speak (@SpeakOnFS1) June 11, 2025

Pierce and the Celtics beat Bryant and the Lakers in 2008.

Via The Boston Celtics (on June 12, 2018): "#10YearsAgo ☘️ 6/12/2008 The Celtics storm back from a 24-point deficit to take a 3-1 series lead over the Lakers in the @NBA finals.

@paulpierce34 : 20 pts @KGArea21 : 16 pts, 11 rbs Allen: 19 pts, 9 rbs Posey: 18 pts"

#10YearsAgo ☘️ 6/12/2008 The Celtics storm back from a 24-point deficit to take a 3-1 series lead over the Lakers in the @NBA finals. @paulpierce34: 20 pts@KGArea21: 16 pts, 11 rbs
Allen: 19 pts, 9 rbs
Posey: 18 pts pic.twitter.com/LSsMVGqFlR
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) June 12, 2018

However, Bryant got his revenge in 2010.

Via @KBsLakeShow24 (on June 17, 2023): "On This Day in 2010

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 83-79 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals avenging their loss in 2008 to win Back to Back Championships and 16th Overall"

Bryant famously spent all 20 seasons of his career with the Lakers.

He made 18 All-Star Games, won five titles and was the 2008 MVP.

Via StatMuse: "Kobe once did this in 4 consecutive games:

65 PTS
50 PTS
60 PTS
50 PTS

He averaged 40/6/5 that month."

Kobe once did this in 4 consecutive games:

65 PTS
50 PTS
60 PTS
50 PTS

He averaged 40/6/5 that month. pic.twitter.com/s7z6iJTebT
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 4, 2022