National Basketball Association

Kobe Bryant blasts Lakers at practice, calls team 'soft like Charmin'

Published Dec. 11, 2014 3:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

Tensions came to a boil in Los Angeles on Thursday as a frustrated Kobe Bryant blasted his teammates for being "soft" like toilet paper after what the Lakers star perceived was a lackluster practice.

A clearly upset Bryant lashed out at his struggling Lakers, who are at a woeful 6-16 and in fifth place in the Pacific Division, likening his team to toilet paper, yelling expletives at GM Mitch Kupchak and trash talking with Nick Young, as documented by LA Times beat reporter Mike Bresnahan.

Later, it appeared as though Bryant had calmed down a bit, and explained trash talk was part of the game.

Nick Young apparently didn't mind the pushback:

Ultimately, it seems this blow-up was further proof of Bryant's fiercely competitive spirit.

Later in the afternoon, the folks at Charmin dropped this strong reply . . .

You know, in terms of toilet paper, saying you're as soft as Charmin is a good thing. In basketball? Not so much. #tweetfromtheseat
— Charmin (@Charmin) December 11, 2014