Paul Pierce Says Sleeved Jerseys Are 'Cool' Despite Other Players' Complaints

He may not have many NBA players in his corner, but you can put Paul Pierce of the Brooklyn Nets down as a sleeved-jersey proponent. 

Before the Nets' tilt with the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night, in which they'd wear their Brooklyn Blue Nights jerseys, Pierce was asked about the short-sleeved phenomenon that's taken the league by storm this season. His response wasn't exactly of the popular variety.

Several players have complained about the restriction of motion when shooting, but The Truth followed up his comments by raining in four three-pointers during the game's opening quarter. He also went 5-of-5 from the free-throw line. Of all of the factors that have restricted the 36-year-old this season, sleeves haven't quite made the list.

Pierce's reaction comes just one day after Los Angeles Lakers shooter Jodie Meeks raved about sleeved jerseys. He told Dime Magazine's Matthew Hochberg:

"

I don’t have any complaints with them. I had my career-game in them – I wish I could wear them every day (Laughs). They’re a lot lighter. Sleeveless jerseys are obviously the traditional ones and have been around longer, but I have no problem with sleeved jerseys. We should wear them more.

"

"We should wear them more." Meeks owes NBA fans an apology for that migraine-evoking last line.

The jerseys, worn around the league on all special occasions—Christmas Day, Noche Latina, etc.—and by some teams as designated alternate unis, have created something of a media whirlwind for new commissioner Adam Silver. According to B/R's Howard Beck, Silver will reportedly meet with LeBron James and other players this summer to discuss how prominent the jerseys will be moving forward.

James, for one, would like to see the concept nixed. After a loss to the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month, the reigning MVP cited the sleeves when talking about his poor 6-of-18 shooting night.

"Not making any excuses, but not a big fan of the jerseys," he said. "I don't have much room for error on my jump shot anyway, so it's definitely not a good thing."

Earlier this season, then-Knicks guard Beno Udrih was seen physically rolling the sleeves up on the court after struggling with his shot. Cavaliers guard Jarrett Jack has called them "disgusting" and said players now look like beach cops, because why not? Mavericks big man Dirk Nowitzki had his own way of describing them.

The fact remains that after the season, the short-sleeved trend may prove to be short-lived after all. Sorry, Truth.