Jalen Rose Calls Paul Pierce 'Petty' for Nixing Isaiah Thomas Video Tribute

Jalen Rose told Paul Pierce that he was "petty" to scrap the Boston Celtics' video tribute for Isaiah Thomas scheduled for the same night as his jersey retirement.

The NBA's latest bizarre conflict heated up when Pierce told ESPN.com's Jackie MacMullan and Chris Forsberg that he asked Celtics president Danny Ainge to keep Feb. 11's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers focused on his ceremony.

"(Thomas) had a shot to be honored," Pierce said, alluding to the Jan. 3 game between the Celtics and Cavs at TD Garden. "You came to Boston. Whether you are playing or not, you should have had your tribute then. I just don't see how, if someone is having a jersey retirement, they're going to be running other tributes for other players."

Thomas also requested that the Celtics dedicate the evening solely to Pierce.

On Wednesday night, Pierce addressed the issue with the rest of ESPN's NBA Countdown crew. Rose cited Thomas leading Boston to last year's Eastern Conference Finals after his sister's death as a reason Pierce should have shared the spotlight. 

"Can I tell you something about your birthday?" Rose said to accentuate his point. "It ain't only your birthday."

Pierce admitted to acting in a petty matter, per Dime on Uproxx, but only to set up a forced joke about Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points on Rose's Toronto Raptors in 2006.

The drama did not end there. As also noted by Dime on Uproxx, Thomas liked an Instagram video of Rose's remarks.

Only in the NBA can a retirement ceremony and tribute video turn into a steamy controversy. 

[NBA on ESPN]