Pierce questions Durant: 'That's like if Bird decided to play with Magic'

The "super team" concept basically came into fruition back in 2008 when the Boston Celtics went out and acquired veteran stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Paul Pierce in vying for the first NBA championship of the trio's storied careers.

Since then, we've seen several franchises attempt to replicate that formula, with the Golden State Warriors most recently landing four-time scoring champion Kevin Durant over the offseason to align with back-to-back league MVP Stephen Curry, as well as All-Stars Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green.

When asked for his stance on Durant's decision to leave an already dominant squad in the Oklahoma City Thunder to become a Warrior during a recent appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio, "The Truth" was his usual honest self:

I’m an old-school guy. I’m a competitor. I never believed that - when you want to be the best, you’ve to beat the best. That’s always been something that’s driven me. Today’s day and age, a lot of these guys are friends. That’s like if Bird decided to go play with Magic or something. These guys, I think the competition makes the game what is.

And Oklahoma, I felt like, was a contending team. They had Golden State on the ropes. I understand when you have great players on losing teams who are tired of losing, struggling in the playoffs every year. You’re the lone star. I’ve been in that position. I could have left Boston years ago, but I stuck it out. I just feel like when you’re that close, as a competitor, you don’t go join the team that just put you out.

That’s just me personally, but we’re living in a day and time where there’s a new generation. Guys I don’t think they are as hungry or competitive as my generation was, and that’s why you’ll probably see more of that.

While the Big 3 in Boston was assembled through trades, Pierce doesn't believe that assemblage of talent is on par with what Durant did because he signed with Golden State as a free agent.

Pierce's history doesn't exactly absolve him from making similar choices, though, as he too has been guilty of looking to put himself in ideal situations. It was in 2007 when he was reportedly prepared to ask for a trade if Boston didn't bring on another star to side with him.

Also, Pierce convinced Garnett to not retire in 2013 so the two could head to the Brooklyn Nets and join Deron Williams, Joe Johnson, and Brook Lopez.

The 39-year-old forward has one year of basketball left in him as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers, which he also considers a "super team."

- With h/t to NBC Sports