When the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Kendrick Perkins, the feeling around the league was that the move was made with the Los Angeles Lakers in mind. The Lakers eliminated the Thunder in the first round of last year's playoffs.
In an interview with ESPN The Magazine after the trade, Perkins said the Lakers were "yesterday's news". He also said, "I don't like Pau Gasol or Phil Jackson. Phil is arrogant. Pau is soft. Kobe [Bryant] tries to bring out his toughness, but he's still soft."
"Certain players talk too much from my perspective," Gasol responded when asked about Perkins' comments. "They should worry about their own stuff."
It's the second time this month Gasol has had to respond to an opponent calling him soft. New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire said the same thing at a recent public appearance in New York City.
"I'm way past my own things or remarks from people," Gasol added "You can't control that. Certain guys have the right to speak and you can't stop them from doing that."