Pierce pulled over for erratic driving in LV

[Roy Hobbs]

I don't see what the big argument is.

He was out celebrating, and he had a few. He drove his car, but he wasn't really drunk.

Ideally he should have taken a cab, but a lot of us have done this before.

The legal limit is actually pretty low to begin with, so if he's blowing below it he's probably ok to drive.

We need some new free agent news, or some kind of trade rumor or something

My biggest issue is the same one I have with many millionaire athletes:  there's no reason to go out without a driver and/or bodyguard.  That's the issue I've got with a guy like Telfair after he starts flashing his gun around (okay, that's exaggerated), and it's the same issue I've got whenever an athlete gets picked up for a DUI (which didn't happen in this case, obviously).  It's just not prudent to go out without somebody to watch your back.

[Hoops]

Again, glad to here Pierce was not drinking and driving.

He WAS drinking and driving, just not enough to be drunk. At 3:30 in the morning you'd think he'd be smart enough to take a cab if he was drinking at all.  IMO if you have more than one drink you shouldn't be on the road no matter your blood alcohol content.

Why? If you're below the legal limit, then you ARE NOT DRUNK. So what's the problem?
Pierce is a grown man. He can stay out as late as he wants. He just won us the NBA championship so that proves that whatever partying he may engage in does not effect his career in any adverse way. And as long as he's not doing anything to effect his career or his safety than anything he does is his own business. Who cares if he's out partying until 3:30 am?

how come nobody has pointed out the fact that the fact that it was 3:30 in the morning and he was still not drunk shows how responsible he was in taking it slow over the course of the night?

I'm sick of and offended by all this hypocritical puritan nonsense.

This is my first post in the thread, but I'll tell you what - you can't call me a hypocritical puritan. I've never had a sip of alcohol in my entire life. And I doubt that I ever will. At the same time, I don't condemn or begrudge anyone who does - assuming they do it responsibly. But to say that because someone is below the legal limit (based on a breath test), that that person is unequivocally not drunk - that's absolutely ridiculous.

Look, I understand that this whole incident might be overblown. Given that Pierce passed some sobriety tests, it's fair to assume that he wasn't completely plastered. That said, those of you defending Pierce to the death on this look pretty silly. It seems pretty clear that the dude had been drinking and driving - he ended up in a cab. I just don't see there being any way to spin this other than by admitting that Pierce did something stupid. We don't have to condemn him to hell for it, nor do we have to imply that next season is ruined because of this. But let's all be reasonable here and admit that Pierce did something stupid. We all do stupid things. But it's better to admit it than to sweep it under the rug...

[PlayRyanGomes]

This is my first post in the thread, but I'll tell you what - you can't call me a hypocritical puritan. I've never had a sip of alcohol in my entire life. And I doubt that I ever will. At the same time, I don't condemn or begrudge anyone who does - assuming they do it responsibly.

...

I just don't see there being any way to spin this other than by admitting that Pierce did something stupid. We don't have to condemn him to hell for it, nor do we have to imply that next season is ruined because of this. But let's all be reasonable here and admit that Pierce did something stupid. We all do stupid things. But it's better to admit it than to sweep it under the rug...

I love the contradiction in this post.  "I won't condemn someone if they are responsible but how dare he pass a sobriety test!"  The law is set at .08 for a reason.  He passed 3 sobriety tests.  Pierce drinks responsibly, then is condemned for getting pulled over by police.  The cops made a mistake (or were disingenuous) thinking Pierce was drunk.  They supposedly smelled alcohol, if you believe that.  He did nothing wrong, other than not use his blinker for a lane change.

[BballTim]

Again, glad to here Pierce was not drinking and driving.

He WAS drinking and driving, just not enough to be drunk. At 3:30 in the morning you'd think he'd be smart enough to take a cab if he was drinking at all.  IMO if you have more than one drink you shouldn't be on the road no matter your blood alcohol content.

Why? If you're below the legal limit, then you ARE NOT DRUNK. So what's the problem?
Pierce is a grown man. He can stay out as late as he wants. He just won us the NBA championship so that proves that whatever partying he may engage in does not effect his career in any adverse way. And as long as he's not doing anything to effect his career or his safety than anything he does is his own business. Who cares if he's out partying until 3:30 am?

how come nobody has pointed out the fact that the fact that it was 3:30 in the morning and he was still not drunk shows how responsible he was in taking it slow over the course of the night?

I'm sick of and offended by all this hypocritical puritan nonsense.

This is my first post in the thread, but I'll tell you what - you can't call me a hypocritical puritan. I've never had a sip of alcohol in my entire life. And I doubt that I ever will. At the same time, I don't condemn or begrudge anyone who does - assuming they do it responsibly. But to say that because someone is below the legal limit (based on a breath test), that that person is unequivocally not drunk - that's absolutely ridiculous.

  I think it's extremely rare that someone who is below the legal limit is drunk. A more appropriate term would be "barely impared". The legal limit used to be at least twice what it is now. It's more likely that a person who appears to be perfectly sober would fail a test than someone who is drunk would pass it.

[timpiker]

If PP wants to go out drinking - he's an adult.  But some of you need to quit being enablers by denying it.  He reeked of alcohol, was tested 3 times and passed the breathalyzer which means he was drinking, he was driving erratically and he was out at what, 3:30am?

Those are facts as we know them.  He wants to have a good time...he's an adult....

If he wants to have a second banner I think he needs to start getting his off season re-aligned pretty soon.  I for one am getting sick of reading about PP in Spain, in Las Vegas, on the David Letterman show.....you name it.  Maybe the off season media attention is more than he or any of us are used to but it sure does not bode well for the upcoming season when the captain of the team is constantly in the papers for the wrong reasons.

I wonder if PP asked the cops if they knew he was the best player in the world?

[BudweiserCeltic]

If PP wants to go out drinking - he's an adult.  But some of you need to quit being enablers by denying it.  He reeked of alcohol, was tested 3 times and passed the breathalyzer which means he was drinking, he was driving erratically and he was out at what, 3:30am?

Those are facts as we know them.  He wants to have a good time...he's an adult....

If he wants to have a second banner I think he needs to start getting his off season re-aligned pretty soon.  I for one am getting sick of reading about PP in Spain, in Las Vegas, on the David Letterman show.....you name it.  Maybe the off season media attention is more than he or any of us are used to but it sure does not bode well for the upcoming season when the captain of the team is constantly in the papers for the wrong reasons.

I wonder if PP asked the cops if they knew he was the best player in the world?

Funny how you twist the facts to fit your story.

The police smelled alcohol from the car suddenly becomes Paul Pierce reeked  of alcohol. I have one beer, I'm pretty sure just about anyone would smell the beer on me.

Changed of an illegal lane change (usually this is the term used when you don't put on your blinkers) becomes driving erratically (even if the article did use that phrase, it's hardly describing the situation accurately). Give me a break.

We're quite a bit away from the start of training camp, let alone the start of the season. Pierce can be in the papers all he wants. It's his time now, he can do as he pleases. It's people like you and the media that like to blow everything out of proportion. Paul Pierce is doing just fine.

I wonder if you were one of the guys complaining last summer that Pierce looked fat or was out playing soccer, that he wasn't commited to the team.

[crownsy]

If PP wants to go out drinking - he's an adult.  But some of you need to quit being enablers by denying it.  He reeked of alcohol, was tested 3 times and passed the breathalyzer which means he was drinking, he was driving erratically and he was out at what, 3:30am?

Those are facts as we know them.  He wants to have a good time...he's an adult....

If he wants to have a second banner I think he needs to start getting his off season re-aligned pretty soon.  I for one am getting sick of reading about PP in Spain, in Las Vegas, on the David Letterman show.....you name it.  Maybe the off season media attention is more than he or any of us are used to but it sure does not bode well for the upcoming season when the captain of the team is constantly in the papers for the wrong reasons.

I wonder if PP asked the cops if they knew he was the best player in the world?

i love how you say "these are the facts", get those facts wrong,and then go on to say he was sloshed and reeked of alchole and thats shown by the fact that he PASSED the breathlyzier? , and go on to say this will somehow equal a drop off in his leadership this season. wow.



The reason he's getting more stories in the paper isn't because he's going crazy, its because he's an NBA champion. these are the same stories that have always happened to NBA athletes (the crux of this story is "PIERCE PARTIES IN VEGAS!!!OMGBBQSAUCE!) its just that, lets be brutaly honest, no one gave a [dang] outside of boston about paul pierce until 8 months ago.

It amazes me to no end that this has gone from "wow, dumb move by paul, idiot for getting behind the wheel but at least he wasen't out of control (true, a .08 on the breathlizer is 2 beers by body weight, im 235, and according to BAC charts, 2 beers in an hour would put me at .10) to;

OMG PAUL HATES THE TEAM! WE WONT REPEAT HE'S SLACKING OFF!

the drama queen percentage in recent posts has amused me. from going jenny craig on davis (ridculos thread) to this junk and then the constant ray allen trade demands, i can't wait for the season to start so at least the negative nellys can moan over actual issues instead of creating them.

my final stance on this.

Paul's a moron for drinking, even one beer, and driving, should have taken a cab. Now, based on what TMZ.com (love how THIS is our gospel, they don't promote untruths for ratings) he appears to have been pulled over, suspected of drunk driving, run through every battery he could be run through, and let go. End of story.

[Reyquila]

Dont the law  men know its not just anybody that was pulled over; its Paul Pierce. He has to be measured by different standards. Not like Kobe; he was accused of rape; so he was surely guilty without a doubt even if he was not found to be one by a court of law. That RAPIST! With Paul, the law is wrong. Let the guy drink and drive as long as he doesnt drive drunk; if he should cause an accident; it would surely be the other party's fault. And dont call me Shirley. If he wasnt drinking at all, then whats this all about? No comprende.

[kw10]

but are the C's, and PP, partying too much?

Don't know how much they've been partying, but they should be resting, doing some conditioning and working on their games now for next season if they havn't already started.

[Reyquila]

Partying too much? What is "too much?" These athletes are grown up and are free to do as they wish in their own free time. They are not slaves of any team. They just have to be responsible and law abiding citizens in and away from the court. They have commitments to their fans and to the owners of their teams for which they play. As very well paid athletes, they should know how to take care of their bodies, which after all, is what allows them to make more money  in a few years than many of us in a lifetime. If they dont behave, they pay the piper, at the beginning or at the end, but they will pay. Just do not attempt to apply double standards because they are our boys.

[Proctology]

but are the C's, and PP, partying too much?

Don't know how much they've been partying, but they should be resting, doing some conditioning and working on their games now for next season if they havn't already started.

Jesus. How old are you people? Who died and made you Vice Principal of the planet earth? This is a total non-story. Pierce is obviously a dedicated, conscientious athlete who gives everything he has during the season. How he spends his spare time is his business.

[Andy Jick]

hopefully paul is drinking "light" beer...

[Steve Weinman]

If he wants to have a second banner I think he needs to start getting his off season re-aligned pretty soon.  I for one am getting sick of reading about PP in Spain, in Las Vegas, on the David Letterman show.....you name it.  Maybe the off season media attention is more than he or any of us are used to but it sure does not bode well for the upcoming season when the captain of the team is constantly in the papers for the wrong reasons.

I'll disclaim my commentary here by making it clear now that -- save for commending Reyquila on two excellent posts -- I want no part of getting involved with the "Paul versus the Law and logistics of drinking and driving" discussion that has made up most of this thread.  I'm content to sit that one out and merely absorb the varying perspectives from the different members of our community.

But with all due respect, I can't help but raise an objection with the quoted material above.  There's just something that rubs me the wrong way about the way in which that's phrased.  It's one thing when there are issues of misconduct and the law (as is being debated in this thread), but to be taking shots at the guy for effectively going on vacation strikes me as off base and a bit unnecessary.  Sure, when it comes down to it, for many of us fans, what matters when all is said and done is winning championships -- so perhaps it's easy to forget that all of these guys are human beings and that they aren't athletic machines who spend 400 of the year's 365 days in the gym.  These are people.  They have jobs.  They do them for a certain percentage of their time, and they have off for a certain percentage of the time.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but I don't do my job 365 days a year, and I'm having a hard time thinking of too many people in my life who do either.  Sometimes, I go on vacation.

When it mattered most, Paul Pierce did his job better than anybody else in his field.  He did everything that both his employers and fans could have asked from him and attained the ultimate success in the 2007-08 'employment cycle,' so to speak.  Then he went on vacation.  If his performance over the past year hasn't given us reason to trust that he knows when vacation needs to end and basketball work needs to start again, I don't know what will.  And if he never does give us that reason, tough cookies for us.  Because it's his life in the first place.

Finally as crownsy notes, if the complaint is that you keep hearing about Paul's vacations and activities in the media, that's something to take up with the media, not against Paul.  The media doesn't cover my vacations because somehow, "Inside the Life of the Daily Babble" doesn't generate high ratings (silly American public  ).  It does cover Paul's because he's an NBA player and now an NBA champion.  That's the nature of the beast.

The issues over his behavior with regard to the law are one matter.  The issues regarding a man's decision to take some time off -- when his occupation is 'out of season', no less -- just seem a bit much to me.

-sw 

[Schupac]

Again, glad to here Pierce was not drinking and driving.

He WAS drinking and driving, just not enough to be drunk. At 3:30 in the morning you'd think he'd be smart enough to take a cab if he was drinking at all.  IMO if you have more than one drink you shouldn't be on the road no matter your blood alcohol content.

Why? If you're below the legal limit, then you ARE NOT DRUNK. So what's the problem?
Pierce is a grown man. He can stay out as late as he wants. He just won us the NBA championship so that proves that whatever partying he may engage in does not effect his career in any adverse way. And as long as he's not doing anything to effect his career or his safety than anything he does is his own business. Who cares if he's out partying until 3:30 am?

how come nobody has pointed out the fact that the fact that it was 3:30 in the morning and he was still not drunk shows how responsible he was in taking it slow over the course of the night?

I'm sick of and offended by all this hypocritical puritan nonsense.
"ALCOHOL IS THE DEVIL!! IF YOU'VE HAD EVEN ONE SIP OF WINE YOU NEED TO CALL A CAB! ONLY LOWLIFES AND CRIMINALS ARE UP AFTER MIDNIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T STAY UP AFTER MIDNIGHT! PIERCE NEEDS TO STOP ALL OF THIS WRECKLESS, EXCESSIVE PARTYING! IF HE WANTS TO HAVE FUN HE SHOULD DO WHAT I DO AND PLAY BRIDGE WITH A LOVED ONE OVER A NICE CUP OF TEA!!"

Sounds like a guilty conscience to me, however I do not care how drunk you decide to get. Just don't get behind the wheel. Take a cab, whatever. You know very well I am not saying he shouldn't have been drinking. I don't care if he was out late partying. I just care that he didn't care enough about others to do the responsible thing. You are sure concerned about his safety, but how about the safety of that person who is the sole provider for his family and has to work a late shift as a second job to keep food on the table. What if a guy had one more drink than he thought and killed him. Don't give us this nonsense that if you are just barely under the legal limit you are being a saint. You are free to do whatever you want to do in life, as long as it doesn't interfere with someone else's freedoms. Then it no longer is your right.

Is that you president Woodrow Wilson?

Seriously guys... anyone who says someone driving below .08 is drunk is just wrong.  According to the law.  According to my common sense.

You think having more than 1 beer means you should stay off the road?  OK.  Next time you have a slight head cold, you are not allowed to drink cough syrup before driving to work.  You also can't take cold medicine.  Also, you cannot be allowed to drive on anything less than 6 hours of sleep.  You can't drive after a recent death in your family has left you emotional. Because all of those things are going to impair a full grown adult man more than 2 beers.  Heck, you probably are worse off driving with a case of indigestion than you are after 2 beers.

"I just care that he didn't care enough about others to do the responsible thing."

You're right.  So when is Paul attending the funeral of those eleven nuns he ran over?  If being irresponsible means being within the rights of the law and not hurting another human being, well I wouldn't want to live in a country you ran.



Oh, and yeah, I'm fully against cops pulling people over randomly late at night to catch drunks.  Because that is profiling.  As far as I'm concerned, if you are 10 beers drunk but drive safely, should the police pull you over and punish you?  Because that's punishment for the sake of punishment, not for the sake of public safety.



So Paul, wet it up buddy.  So long as you keep it legal, you can take a road trip to Bolivia for all it concerns me.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

TP's for BudC, Crownsy and the always excellent Steve Weinman. People here are going above and beyond the realm of rationality. The refuting of the claims of PP being all out blitzed, driving like a maniac, etc have been wisely made already.
He passed every sobriety test, jeez.
Also, is everyone overlooking he called a cab afterwards just to make sure.
I wasn;t going to join in here because it seems like a non-issue to me but some of the things being written here are absolutely absurd. There was nothing wrong here.
And Steve, thank you. It is called the off season for a reason. Do you know PP isn't excercising, working on his game, etc? No you don't.
And yes ESPN veers closer and closer to TMZ but that doesn't make TMZ a reputable source. Their whole m.o. is to make things seem over the top and huge news. You gotta know the messanger.