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Former Los Angeles Lakers Head Athletic Trainer Gary Vitti shared the late Kobe Bryant's epic response trolling Paul Pierce when asked about using a wheelchair after suffering an ACL injury in April 2013. Playing against the Golden State Warriors in 2023, the Lakers legend drove to his left against Harrison Barnes and went straight to the ground.
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Bryant had ruptured his left Achilles tendon, moments after scoring 10 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter. Despite the injury, Kobe Bryant drained two more before limping off the cour t. This injured ACL led to surgery and an eight-month absence as the Black Mamba returned to action on December 8, 2013, against the Toronto Raptors.
F**K Paul Pierce: Kobe Bryant to Gary Vitti
Remembering this moment, Gary Vitti revealed that he asked Kobe Bryant if he needed a wheelchair after rupturing his ACL. Immediately the five-time responded by referencing Boston Celtics great Paul Pierce. The Hall of Fame small forward exited Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals in a wheelchair after an apparent serious knee injury. But then Pierce managed to return and helped the Celtics register a 98-88 victory over the Lakers.
As quoted by Sportskeeda, Vitti said, "He was already on his way. He walked the length of the court practically. Then he walked back to shoot the free throws. Then he walked all the way back to the locker room. I asked him if he wanted a chair. He looked down at me and said, ‘F--- Paul Pierce!’ You remember in 2008 when Paul Pierce went off on a wheelchair, came back and then kicked our ass."
