Paul Pierce & the kid in a Lebron jersey

[Andy Jick]

I would have rather had Paul diss the guy standing next to the kid, who was most likely his front-running father.  I'm pretty sure the kid wasn't there by himself. 

Kids don't know any better; one team is as good as another.  I'm in the "treat the kid right and make a fan for life" group.

i'm not...i think it' hilarious.  this is what sports was like back in the day.

Roy, your political correctness is the mentality that's killing america as we knew it...

eventually you'll want to stop keeping score...

[Roy Hobbs]

I would have rather had Paul diss the guy standing next to the kid, who was most likely his front-running father.  I'm pretty sure the kid wasn't there by himself. 

Kids don't know any better; one team is as good as another.  I'm in the "treat the kid right and make a fan for life" group.

i'm not...i think it' hilarious.  this is what sports was like back in the day.

Roy, your political correctness is the mentality that's killing america as we knew it...

eventually you'll want to stop keeping score...

Eh...  it's definitely not political correctness.  Rather, I've got a soft spot for kids, and think that adults should go out of their way for them in ways they might not if the person was a little older.

I'm not exactly sure what's PC about wanting to go above and beyond for a kid, and I don't see what's so hilarious about hurting a seven year old's feelings.  I think my view is more in line with old school America than yours, but to each their own.

[ACF]

I would have rather had Paul diss the guy standing next to the kid, who was most likely his front-running father.  I'm pretty sure the kid wasn't there by himself. 

Kids don't know any better; one team is as good as another.  I'm in the "treat the kid right and make a fan for life" group.

i'm not...i think it' hilarious.  this is what sports was like back in the day.

Roy, your political correctness is the mentality that's killing america as we knew it...

eventually you'll want to stop keeping score...

Eh...  it's definitely not political correctness.  Rather, I've got a soft spot for kids, and think that adults should go out of their way for them in ways they might not if the person was a little older.

I'm not exactly sure what's PC about wanting to go above and beyond for a kid, and I don't see what's so hilarious about hurting a seven year old's feelings.  I think my view is more in line with old school America than yours, but to each their own.

Maybe Daddy learned a lesson, too:
Next time, buy the green # 34 jersey!

[Andy Jick]

I would have rather had Paul diss the guy standing next to the kid, who was most likely his front-running father.  I'm pretty sure the kid wasn't there by himself. 

Kids don't know any better; one team is as good as another.  I'm in the "treat the kid right and make a fan for life" group.

i'm not...i think it' hilarious.  this is what sports was like back in the day.

Roy, your political correctness is the mentality that's killing america as we knew it...

eventually you'll want to stop keeping score...

Eh...  it's definitely not political correctness.  Rather, I've got a soft spot for kids, and think that adults should go out of their way for them in ways they might not if the person was a little older.

I'm not exactly sure what's PC about wanting to go above and beyond for a kid, and I don't see what's so hilarious about hurting a seven year old's feelings.  I think my view is more in line with old school America than yours, but to each their own.

let the kid learn a lesson in disappointment...

...or maybe he needs a love bailout, or a stimulus package of hugs...

[pumpfake]

tp for the post

and tp for paul

tommy would absolutely love this

he did the right thing

[silvershamrocker]

I thought this was hilarious.

[jdpapa3]

I was a big Grant Hill fan as a youngster, probably the same age as that kid and my dad brought me to the garden. I owned a grant hill jersey and my dad bought the tickets against the pistons so I could see him. I wore a Celtics jersey because i am loyal to my team over players.

TP to the TRUTH!!!

That was awesome. I have watched the clip like 50 times now. Gotta love overanalyzing things at work.

[greg683x]

I was a big Grant Hill fan as a youngster, probably the same age as that kid and my dad brought me to the garden. I owned a grant hill jersey and my dad bought the tickets against the pistons so I could see him. I wore a Celtics jersey because i am loyal to my team over players.

TP to the TRUTH!!!

That was awesome. I have watched the clip like 50 times now. Gotta love overanalyzing things at work.

I think we're all taking this and running with it way too far.

Though I couldnt imagine being a dad and having my kid come to me and ask for me to buy him a Lebron jersey.  My heart would probably break.  I remember how passionate my dad was about the redskins when I was growing up, he'd take me to a few games every year.  I cant even imagine his reaction if I had asked him for a Troy Aikman, or Michael Irvin jersey.  He eventually would have gotten me one, and probably would have playfully given me crap about it every time I wore it, as I would probably do with my kid if he had asked me for a Lebron jersey or even a *gulp* Kobe jersey.  So I dont really understand the outside influence angle of this on the parents end, is the parent supposed to force the kid to root for the player he roots for??  Of course the parent being a Lebron fan, and influencing him to becoming a Lebron, then turning around and wearing Celtics gear to a home game, while the kid still wears his Cavs jersey, could be the case, but seems kind of far fetched to me.  Lebron, Im sure, is the popular basketball player to idolize in school, conformity seems to be culperate if you ask me.

[dark_lord]

<immediately following the incident>

[Schupac]

Paul definitely should have given him a high five... across the face!

Kidding.




Normally I'd be with you Roy, be nice to the wee ones.  But it's reality, and I'm always an advocate of teaching your kids the hard truth ASAP, and in this case the hard truth is that The Truth is hard.  You can't root for one side and convert to the other when you want.

[Andy Jick]

Has P.E.T.A. stepped in yet?

(Parents for the Ethical Treatment of Adolescents).

[LarBrd33]

Pierce would have looked dumb if he had high-fived a Cavs fan.  He made the right choice and it was hilarious.  It taught the kid a lesson.  He shouldn't be a frontrunner bandwagon hopper. I'm assuming he lives in Boston... root for your team, you punk.

Btw... he didn't look like a 4 year old or anything.  He looked like he was 9 or 10 to me.  He's certainly old enough to realize he's a backstabbing punk.  And besides... he's sitting in the front row of a Celtics game... he's a spoiled brat who doesn't deserve sympathy.   Lesson learned. 

Side Note:  I live in Seattle.  Like 9 years ago I was 17 and working at a pizza place with this guy who was an autograph hound.  A group of these collectors (and whoever else shows up) would hang outside whatever hotel the visiting team stayed at and get autographs as they boarded the team bus to head to Key Arena to face the Sonics.   I only went a couple times... once when I got snubbed by Larry Bird (while he was coaching the Pacers) and another when the Celtics came to town.  Keep in mind I'm one of only two true Celtic fans in this entire state (the other being my father) and so obviously I was the only guy there decked out in Celtic gear... I wasn't as aggressive as the autograph hounds, but Pierce spotted me wearing the Celtic hat and jacket and made a point to sign an autograph for me even though I wasn't up in his face.  I think the guy appreciates his fans and those who show their support for the Celtics.  Unrelated note on that story... It cracked me up that these idiots around me were shoving me out of the way so they could get Vitaly Potapenko to sign basketball cards... but not one person understood why I walked up to a couple old guys named "Mike and Tommy" and had them sign something.     

[Neurotic Guy]

Those who think a big lesson was learned here are probably overstating the 'tough love' angle.  The 'snub' may not mean all that much to this child (maybe a little disappointment). A high-five may have just added to the thrill of sitting behind the bench.

Ridiculing Roy for political correctness is a joke.  Roy expressed some respect for a kid's feelings -- is that sentiment evidence of political correctness gone awry? Wow.   I practice respect for kids' feelings every day with my children (13 and 18) and it seems to work quite well.  

Frankly, if a 10-year old kid wearing a Laker jersey offered me a high-five after the C's won the championship last year, I can't imagine that I would have said, "nuh-uh, you're not wearing the right jersey".  Seems rather silly doesn't it?



  


 

[Andy Jick]

Those who think a big lesson was learned here are probably overstating the 'tough love' angle.  The 'snub' may not mean all that much to this child (maybe a little disappointment). A high-five may have just added to the thrill of sitting behind the bench.

Ridiculing Roy for political correctness is a joke.  Roy expressed some respect for a kid's feelings -- is that sentiment evidence of political correctness gone awry? Wow.   I practice respect for kids' feelings every day with my children (13 and 18) and it seems to work quite well.  

Frankly, if a 10-year old kid wearing a Laker jersey offered me a high-five after the C's won the championship last year, I can't imagine that I would have said, "nuh-uh, you're not wearing the right jersey".  Seems rather silly doesn't it?

well, since you're call ME out for my comments, allow me to explain.

i feel pierce did nothing wrong...he saw the kid had a lebron jersey on and left the kid hanging.  i know we live in a world where we're not allowed to disappoint anyone any longer (ie. the coach who was fired for running up the score), but i don't see anything wrong here.

the kid didn't get a high five...so what?  my goodness, you'd swear the kid had cancer and pierce stole his chemotherapy. 

this is much ado about nothing...i was making a joke.  but i'm serious about the fact that pierce did nothing wrong.  the kid may have had his feelings hurt...big deal.  he'll get over it.

i'm a father of 4 children...my oldest is 9.  if it would have been him i (as a parent) would have laughed it off, understanding that he's wearing the jersey of the opposing team and shouldn't expect an emotional (at the moment) player to give him a high five.  he's smart enough to understand this (i'd like to think your (neurotic guy) teenagers are mature enough to do the same).

but pierce did nothing wrong and i'm sure the kid will be just fine...(lawsuit being filed as i type, no doubt)...

i'm beginning to think my days of posting here are just about over...some of you guys are just too serious here and singling me out for my comments is just ridiculous.  i realize Roy Hobbs is the new chuck norris, but i didn't realize we weren't allow to express a dissenting view.

[crownsy]

Those who think a big lesson was learned here are probably overstating the 'tough love' angle.  The 'snub' may not mean all that much to this child (maybe a little disappointment). A high-five may have just added to the thrill of sitting behind the bench.

Ridiculing Roy for political correctness is a joke.  Roy expressed some respect for a kid's feelings -- is that sentiment evidence of political correctness gone awry? Wow.   I practice respect for kids' feelings every day with my children (13 and 18) and it seems to work quite well.  

Frankly, if a 10-year old kid wearing a Laker jersey offered me a high-five after the C's won the championship last year, I can't imagine that I would have said, "nuh-uh, you're not wearing the right jersey".  Seems rather silly doesn't it?

well, since you're call ME out for my comments, allow me to explain.

i feel pierce did nothing wrong...he saw the kid had a lebron jersey on and left the kid hanging.  i know we live in a world where we're not allowed to disappoint anyone any longer (ie. the coach who was fired for running up the score), but i don't see anything wrong here.

the kid didn't get a high five...so what?  my goodness, you'd swear the kid had cancer and pierce stole his chemotherapy. 

this is much ado about nothing...i was making a joke.  but i'm serious about the fact that pierce did nothing wrong.  the kid may have had his feelings hurt...big deal.  he'll get over it.

i'm a father of 4 children...my oldest is 9.  if it would have been him i (as a parent) would have laughed it off, understanding that he's wearing the jersey of the opposing team and shouldn't expect an emotional (at the moment) player to give him a high five.  he's smart enough to understand this (i'd like to think your (neurotic guy) teenagers are mature enough to do the same).

but pierce did nothing wrong and i'm sure the kid will be just fine...(lawsuit being filed as i type, no doubt)...

i'm beginning to think my days of posting here are just about over...some of you guys are just too serious here and singling me out for my comments is just ridiculous.  i realize Roy Hobbs is the new chuck norris, but i didn't realize we weren't allow to express a dissenting view.

TP4U andy, there's nothing wrong with everything not being the end of a hallmark movie.

For one, im not even sure paul saw him at the time, and even if he did, who cares?

I'm sorry, but im sick and tired of the "everyones a winner!! and entitled to super happy time!!" stuff thats going on in the world.

I hate that my little brothers basketball league, for instance (he's 11) doesn't "keep score to protect the kids self esteem"

Guess what PC world, the kids are well aware what the score is, you're lying to them when you say the point is just to have fun.

The point is to have fun, but also to beat the other team. When i was 11, we already were on teams where score was kept and playoffs were held. Now they coddle kids until there 12.

It's embarrassing, and telling kids the world is fair and everyone wins doesn't help them prepare for a world where the person who's the best still gets ahead.

/rant about PC off