I actually like Pierce's reaction to James Jones

[wdleehi]

The reaction by Paul may have been uncalled for, but Miami got the message

  Sadly, the message they probably got was "tweak PP a few times and we can get him tossed".

Pretty much.  They have guys on the bench that can do that.  If they get suspended, it will not hurt the Heat.  If they can take Peirce with them, win.

[mgent]

It was a dumb thing to do.   Pierce opened himself up to being tossed, or suspended. 


What if Jones then threw a punch?  Pierce and him get into a fight that pulls other Celtics in?  What if someone's toe leaves the bench area? 




We have seen teams lose playoff series over stupid stuff like this. 

If Jones threw a punch, he would have been suspended and Pierce wouldn't have done anything as they would have been immediately separated.

Also I disagree that Pierce opened himself up to anything.  Players do dumb things and pick up technicals ALL THE TIME.  Then rarely do they do anything for the rest of the game in order to not pick up the 2nd (how many games has Perk gotten tossed despite reaching the "Sheed line" in seasons past?).  In this case Pierce did absolutely nothing worthy of a toss so I don't know how you can blame him.

As for the foul, I didn't think it was that dirty, Pierce is the best in the league at hitting the jumper after the contact.  Jones definitely could have been called for a flagrant after the hilarious call on JO.  For the one with Wade, they could have called a foul on either player (although Pierce was set), or a double foul, or the correct call (no call), but to call for a second tech over a screen and some words between captains is just plain stupid.  How are you going to screw up the whole game over a pick?

[Papatrichs]

I started actually hating James Jones since the All-Star Break.
Something about him... irritates me. And in Game 2 someone outside out top 9 should "talk" sense to him.

[wdleehi]

It was a dumb thing to do.   Pierce opened himself up to being tossed, or suspended. 


What if Jones then threw a punch?  Pierce and him get into a fight that pulls other Celtics in?  What if someone's toe leaves the bench area? 




We have seen teams lose playoff series over stupid stuff like this. 

If Jones threw a punch, he would have been suspended and Pierce wouldn't have done anything as they would have been immediately separated.

Also I disagree that Pierce opened himself up to anything.  Players do dumb things and pick up technicals ALL THE TIME.  Then rarely do they do anything for the rest of the game in order to not pick up the 2nd (how many games has Perk gotten tossed despite reaching the "Sheed line" in seasons past?).  In this case Pierce did absolutely nothing worthy of a toss so I don't know how you can blame him.

As for the foul, I didn't think it was that dirty, Pierce is the best in the league at hitting the jumper after the contact.  Jones definitely could have been called for a flagrant after the hilarious call on JO.  For the one with Wade, they could have called a foul on either player (although Pierce was set), or a double foul, or the correct call (no call), but to call for a second tech over a screen and some words between captains is just plain stupid.  How are you going to screw up the whole game over a pick?

It was a flagrant foul.  Without doubt.  The 2nd T was stupid and overly quick.


Pierce needed more control there.  His head did make contact.  If Jones reacted differently, anyone here feel safe with what the NBA officials would decide? 


There is a difference between standing your ground out there and initiating physical contact after the whistle.  Peirce has been in this league to long to make that mistake. 

[Eja117]

It was a dumb thing to do.   Pierce opened himself up to being tossed, or suspended. 


What if Jones then threw a punch?  Pierce and him get into a fight that pulls other Celtics in?  What if someone's toe leaves the bench area? 




We have seen teams lose playoff series over stupid stuff like this. 

Well then by all means just let the guy punch the heck out of you.

Heck. Maybe bring a gallon of gas and sit down and self-immolate too. That'll send a great message to the refs and Stern.

[Eja117]

A lot of people did not like the Paul Pierce "face rub" and thought he was out of line. He is the captain, he shouldn't react like that and retaliate...I get it. But honestly, I love that he did it.

agreed

[wdleehi]

It was a dumb thing to do.   Pierce opened himself up to being tossed, or suspended. 


What if Jones then threw a punch?  Pierce and him get into a fight that pulls other Celtics in?  What if someone's toe leaves the bench area? 




We have seen teams lose playoff series over stupid stuff like this. 

Well then by all means just let the guy punch the heck out of you.

Heck. Maybe bring a gallon of gas and sit down and self-immolate too. That'll send a great message to the refs and Stern.

No one said let a guy punch you.   


But we have seen the smart player who just throws his hands into the air and step away while others get in the way.  That's the smart thing to do that actually helps your team. 

[MBz]

The reaction by Paul may have been uncalled for, but Miami got the message

  Sadly, the message they probably got was "tweak PP a few times and we can get him tossed".

Pretty much.  They have guys on the bench that can do that.  If they get suspended, it will not hurt the Heat.  If they can take Peirce with them, win.

Exactly.  It was stupid, Pierce getting a technical in that situation is just no good.  Yes, it should have been a flagrant foul, but its playoff time, you gotta keep your composure.  It's more important to look like you can keep your cool than looking tough.  Now it looks like if you whack Pierce a few times, he's gonna lose it.  Which is not good for the c's.

[clover]

The face butt?  No, it's creepy on its own and a very bad idea in a game like that.

[mgent]

It was a dumb thing to do.   Pierce opened himself up to being tossed, or suspended. 


What if Jones then threw a punch?  Pierce and him get into a fight that pulls other Celtics in?  What if someone's toe leaves the bench area? 




We have seen teams lose playoff series over stupid stuff like this. 

If Jones threw a punch, he would have been suspended and Pierce wouldn't have done anything as they would have been immediately separated.

Also I disagree that Pierce opened himself up to anything.  Players do dumb things and pick up technicals ALL THE TIME.  Then rarely do they do anything for the rest of the game in order to not pick up the 2nd (how many games has Perk gotten tossed despite reaching the "Sheed line" in seasons past?).  In this case Pierce did absolutely nothing worthy of a toss so I don't know how you can blame him.

As for the foul, I didn't think it was that dirty, Pierce is the best in the league at hitting the jumper after the contact.  Jones definitely could have been called for a flagrant after the hilarious call on JO.  For the one with Wade, they could have called a foul on either player (although Pierce was set), or a double foul, or the correct call (no call), but to call for a second tech over a screen and some words between captains is just plain stupid.  How are you going to screw up the whole game over a pick?

It was a flagrant foul.  Without doubt.  The 2nd T was stupid and overly quick.


Pierce needed more control there.  His head did make contact.  If Jones reacted differently, anyone here feel safe with what the NBA officials would decide? 


There is a difference between standing your ground out there and initiating physical contact after the whistle.  Peirce has been in this league to long to make that mistake. 

My point was that it wasn't really a mistake since we're talking about the first tech.  If the second altercation never happened and we ended up winning the game people would be praising him for "firing up the team," which he did btw.

If the plays were reversed and Pierce already had a technical do you think there's any chance he would have initiated physical contact after the whistle?

[17wasEZ]

Did you also love the fact that he got thrown out of the game for it?  I realize he didn't get ejected right after this incident but obviously he doens't get tossed without this T.

Nobody on the MIA team is intimidated by what Pierce did.  There was no fear in Jones' eyes, he just did the right thing and kept his cool; what our captain couldn't do.

This isnt' UFC.

As I mentioned on another thread, Pierce got hammered going up for a jump shot.  If he was going to the basket, then we are talking about something different. You don't think Kobe, Le Bron, Wade or other players would have reacted in a similar way? Jones nailed Pierce while he was attempting an 18 foot jump shot.