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When you've accomplished as much as Kobe Bryant, you earn the right to pull rank every once in a while.

That's exactly what Bryant did Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old Los Angeles Lakers guard was inactive for his team's game against the Dallas Mavericks with a sore right shoulder. But Bryant still was at Staples Center, and when he strolled along the sideline in the first quarter to take a seat on the bench, he realized every spot was taken.

So, he decided to just kick a teammate out of his seat.

That poor teammate was Larry Nance, Jr., the same rookie forward who had to apologize earlier this season for a nasty tweet he sent about Kobe a few years ago.

Nance was forced to sit on the floor, which we're sure he didn't enjoy, considering he played 23 minutes in the Lakers' 92-90 loss. But the 23-year-old said all the right things after the game.

Good job taking the high road, Larry.

Thumbnail photo via Danny Moloshok/Associated Press