I actually like Pierce's reaction to James Jones

[OsirusCeltics]

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.

In the playoffs, you have to show toughness and grit. You have to show the other team that you wouldn't back down. So the next time they would think twice about messing with you. I'm not talking about starting fights. But you have to mentally plant a seed of doubt in the other team. I saw the fear in Jame's Jones eyes lol

It's the same effect of a big man giving a hard foul on a point guard so he can't come in the lane again

I'm sure most remember the Hornets-Mavs series when David West went nose to nose with Dirk. West tapped him on his cheek and Dirk just stood there. I think Dirk has gotten over that, but it took a while for him to rub that "soft" label off his legacy

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

[greenpride32]

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.

[OsirusCeltics]

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.

You obviously didn't watch NBA in the 80's and 90's
If we were playing Hockey or football, no one would say anything. This is a man's game. He has every right to have an emotion, he's human

[wiley]

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.

In the playoffs, you have to show toughness and grit. You have to show the other team that you wouldn't back down. So the next time they would think twice about messing with you. I'm not talking about starting fights. But you have to mentally plant a seed of doubt in the other team. I saw the fear in Jame's Jones eyes lol

It's the same effect of a big man giving a hard foul on a point guard so he can't come in the lane again

I'm sure most remember the Hornets-Mavs series when David West went nose to nose with Dirk. West tapped him on his cheek and Dirk just stood there. I think Dirk has gotten over that, but it took a while for him to rub that "soft" label off his legacy

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

I agree.  He draped himself all over him and sort of gave him a hard stare from 5 inches a way.  Pierce did the right thing in response.  I actually don't like trash talk.  I think there's way too much of it in the league.  This response by Pierce, on the other hand, made some sense.  He shouldn't have been thrown out for the later stuff, but he also should have walked away or spoken directly with the official about Wade's hard foul.  He made his point with his first action.  Then he should have known to back all the way off of any kind of confrontation.  

One caveat.  If an actual fight had started with Wade, I might feel differently.  Yes he would have been tossed and suspended, but I probably would have forgiven him.  Well, it would have sucked to lose him, but I would have felt good that  little Bird Parish McHale basketball was still alive in Boston and in the NBA........

What's happened has happened.  Now I would argue for shutting up and playing.  Talking is a waste of time (don't mind KG talking since he mostly talks to himself and needs to do it like a smoker needs cigarettes)....

[greenpride32]

You obviously didn't watch NBA in the 80's and 90's
If we were playing Hockey or football, no one would say anything. This is a man's game. He has every right to have an emotion, he's human

Actually I did watch in the 80's and 90's.  The game is officiated differently now.  Funny how you compare it to CONTACT sports such as football and hockey where under the right circumstances it's pefectly legal to drill some one.

You are only making your comments in hindsight because we lost the game.  I thought our chances were very slim to make a comeback down 14 going into the 4th.  But Pierce's ejection more or less sealed the deal.  Pierce also risked his status for game 2.

[OsirusCeltics]

You obviously didn't watch NBA in the 80's and 90's
If we were playing Hockey or football, no one would say anything. This is a man's game. He has every right to have an emotion, he's human

Actually I did watch in the 80's and 90's.  The game is officiated differently now.  Funny how you compare it to CONTACT sports such as football and hockey where under the right circumstances it's pefectly legal to drill some one.

You are only making your comments in hindsight because we lost the game.  I thought our chances were very slim to make a comeback down 14 going into the 4th.  But Pierce's ejection more or less sealed the deal.  Pierce also risked his status for game 2.

There was 7 minutes left in the game with the Celtics only down about 12. It was plenty of time

Actually basketball IS a contact sport. Players used to hand-check on the perimeter, and play more physical in the post. Those touch fouls that exist now, didn't exist then

[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. 

[greenpride32]

There was 7 minutes left in the game with the Celtics only down about 12. It was plenty of time
Actually basketball IS a contact sport. Players used to hand-check on the perimeter, and play more physical in the post. Those touch fouls that exist now, didn't exist then
[/quote]

You are only validating my point that it was a stupid act by Pierce.  We were still in the game and he gets tossed for this incident.  What's there to love about that?

Also regarding fouls and contact, I'm referring to all the crap that happens after the whislte.  That is not longer tolerated... period.    If you want to call basketball a contact sport than so is soccer and baseball.   

[CelticG1]

If Pierce doesn't do anything he would be labeled as soft and getting bullied by the Heat just admit it.

No one would be talking about how proud they are of Pierce walking away and just taking a hit to the face, lets get real. This is such a joke that people are acting like this now.

[wiley]

If Pierce doesn't do anything he would be labeled as soft and getting bullied by the Heat just admit it.

No one would be talking about how proud they are of Pierce walking away and just taking a hit to the face, lets get real. This is such a joke that people are acting like this now.

that's why I don't like the excessive trash talking.  It sets up this completely ridiculous dynamic.  
It's a joke.  

EDIT:  if you're going to talk, back it up.  Otherwise shut up and play.

[CelticG1]

If Pierce doesn't do anything he would be labeled as soft and getting bullied by the Heat just admit it.

No one would be talking about how proud they are of Pierce walking away and just taking a hit to the face, lets get real. This is such a joke that people are acting like this now.

that's why I don't like the excessive trash talking.  It sets up this completely ridiculous dynamic.  
It's a joke.  

EDIT:  if you're going to talk, back it up.  Otherwise shut up and play.

?

What's your definition of "backing it up"

To me it goes back and forth. It's pretty weak if you are only talking trash when you are winning. That's what you call being a front runner

[wiley]

If Pierce doesn't do anything he would be labeled as soft and getting bullied by the Heat just admit it.

No one would be talking about how proud they are of Pierce walking away and just taking a hit to the face, lets get real. This is such a joke that people are acting like this now.

that's why I don't like the excessive trash talking.  It sets up this completely ridiculous dynamic.  
It's a joke.  

EDIT:  if you're going to talk, back it up.  Otherwise shut up and play.

?

What's your definition of "backing it up"

To me it goes back and forth. It's pretty weak if you are only talking trash when you are winning. That's what you call being a front runner

Totally agree.  I especially hate trash talking after, for example, running the lead out to 10 points.  I think it sucks energy out of trying to push the lead up to 20.  It's a bunch of wind bag chest thumping crapola if you ask me.  

Pierce's response to James Jones was not in empty win**** territory.  He was reacting spontaneously to a a very hard foul plus in your face stare down challenge.  And I'm completlely fine with his reaction to Jones in that case.  I won't be fine if the Celtics win game 2 and Pierce decides to tweet some crap about Miami.....

Edit:  I'm not advocating for what Pierce did.  The smarter move would be to turn around and walk away and ignore any and all Miami provocation.  With today's rules that's the smart approach (not soft imo).  I'm simply defending his action as an emotional, in the moment response to a very physical foul and provocative glare.

[Assassin70]

I loved it!

Cant wait for game 2.  Cant fault him for his reaction to the play I would have done worse.

[OsirusCeltics]

I loved it!

Cant wait for game 2.  Cant fault him for his reaction to the play I would have done worse.

Me too. Celtics would be psyched, and really come ready to play

[BballTim]

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".