Kobe Bryant Fires Back at Master P with High Brow Retort

Kobe Bryant isn't taking Master P's insults kindly -- claiming the rapper's decision to question his support of Lamar Odom was downright "insensitive."

It's clear Kobe caught wind of what Master P told TMZ Sports yesterday ... that he thinks Bryant is a "phony" friend to Odom who failed to help the ex-NBA star when he needed it the most.

Now, Kobe has issued a statement on Twitter -- and though he doesn't mention P directly, there's no doubt who the message is for.

"When WE feel the need to question the support of others in moments as critical as a life hanging in the balance, then we must question the kind of culture we have created that has led US to such insensitive suspicion."

Uhhhh.