Kevin Durant calls NBA Finals Game 3 shot over LeBron James a 'f--k you' to Paul Pierce

Take that, Truth!

After sinking the game-winning three-pointer over LeBron James in Game 3 of the 2017 Finals, Kevin Durant said that shot was not only for the win but also for former Celtic-turned ESPN analyst Paul Pierce.

Kevin Durant shoots over LeBron James in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
(Tony Dejak/AP)

"That was a 'f--k you' shot, for sure," Durant says in an interview with Bleacher Report. "To everybody. Especially Paul Pierce. I heard him say, 'I guess he don't want to work no more.' That really struck a nerve when he said that. C'mon, man, I put in work. I know what you were going for, but c'mon. One thing I pride myself on is working out and crafting my skills."

Pierce was on the record in his dislike of Durant joining the Warriors, saying, “I’m not a guy who goes into the neighborhood, gets beat up by the bully's gang, and then now I want to join their gang," Pierce said. "That's just not me. I wanna fight, let's go! I mean I'm gonna stand up for myself, that's just the competitive nature of where I come from, the era I grew up in."

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But after winning the finals Pierce called Durant “the new best player in the NBA.”

The Warriors forward also had an issue with his former team giving away his No. 35 to two-way player P.J. Dozier. He ultimately let the issue go after taking a step back from the situation.

ESPN commentator Paul Pierce (l.) talks to Steph Curry.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)

"I didn't have that perspective at first. I didn't have it when I went back to OKC,” the former NBA MVP said. “I was like, 'F--k all of them.' I didn't have it when they gave my number away. I was, 'F--k all of them.' My best friend works for the team, I told him, 'F--k all y'all. That's f--ked up.' Then I had to get out of my head, tell myself, 'It's not that serious, it is what it is.' I understand it's not my number anymore, they can do whatever they want with it, but you hand that number to a two-way player, you've got to be, like, 'Nah, we've got too many good memories with this number, man.' But at some point, that thing's going to be in the rafters anyway; it's all good. I did something they didn't like. They did something I didn't like. S--t happens.”

The reigning Finals MVP was recently named GQ’s Champion of The Year and is averaging 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and is second in the NBA with 2.2 blocks per game entering the Warrior's highly anticipated matchup with the Celtics on Thursday night.