Couldn't disagree with Jackie Mac more

[Jaycelt]

"Welcome to game two of the Eastern Conference semi finals game between the Miami Heat Sternbots and the Boston Celtic Sternbots."

Next thing you know we'll have fans calling Stern's office during play reporting on players giving other players dirty looks on mumbling a cuss word under their breath.  Basketball is turning into golf.   

Jackie is either cherry-picking highly forgetfull of the past. 

[pearljammer10]

Bottom line... Shut up and play.

Sure Pierce was frustrated with Jones for getting hit hard, but come on dude, this is the playoffs... Jones job is to do everything he can t prevent Pierce from getting a shot off. Take the hit and go to the free throw line. Wade hits you hard on a screen, dont talk to him about it, back it up with play. Same with Delonte.

Less focus on talking and taunting, how about we try to run an offense of guard players on defense. Personally, I find that much more important...

[barefacedmonk]

Take a seat, Ed Malloy. If not for the rest of this season's NBA playoffs, at least for the remainder of the second round.

That should be the discipline dealt to the ref who tossed Paul Pierce out of yesterday's Boston-Miami game. Pierce wasn't the instigator on either of his technical fouls and if ever you're going to grant leeway on verbal sparring it's at this time of year.

And while Pierce may have lost his cool it was Malloy who totally got caught up in the Miami atmosphere and blew every bit of his.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2011/05/paul-pierce-ed-malloy-nba-playoff-ejection-wrong-/1

[SalmonAndMashedPotatoes]

The Cs got the short end of 5 questionable calls in Sunday's game:

1. Rondo's first foul, where Bibby fouled him on the drive and on the rebound, and then when Rondo finally controls the ball he slaps Bibby's hand away and they call Rondo for the foul.

2. Rondo's third foul where James Jones flies over Rondo's back, Rondo jumps up to get the ball, gets the ball, and then Jones flops and they give Rondo his 3rd.

3. JO's cheap flagrant foul, on a play that is rarely even called a foul in the regular season.  Again, Jones flopped about 5 feet in the air to get the call.

4. James Jones' uncalled flagrant foul on Paul Pierce that precipitated the first T.  If you listen to Danny Crawford's post game comments, the refs weren't even looking at Jones' foul to see if it was flagrant or not.  In fact, Crawford said he was going to look into whether Jones' T should be rescinded.

5. And then the last T on Pierce, again precipitated by what should have been a flagrant foul.  And if I'm reading Crawford's explanation right, the NBA expects it's players to just stand there and say nothing when somebody inflicts a flagrant foul on them, as if words aren't exchanged on most every play at this time of year.  Of all the bogus calls that went against the Cs, this one was the worst.

***

That's 5 questionable calls, all that went against the Cs, all of which impacted GREATLY on the tenor of the game and if added all together could have constituted a potential 12 point swing, plus whatever momentum was gained or lost in those transactions.  And all Jackie Mac can garner is feigned displeasure at Paul Pierce?  Sure, Pierce could have let James Jones punk him and said nothing, or simply stood idly as Wade intentionally lowered a shoulder and attempted to run right through him.  But he wouldn't be Paul Pierce if he did that, and we wouldn't be the Celtics if that's how we reacted to cheap dirty fouls.  

But then again, where's the feigned outrage at all the flopping and cheap shots?  Where's the feigned outrage about how a nobody like James Jones can flop and get a flagrant foul called (which turned into a 5 point swing), or flop and get Rondo's 3rd foul called (which sent Rondo to the bench for the last 11:30 of the 2nd quarter), or stick out his legs on a 3 point shot and fall over and get a trip to the line (like Jones did to Paul Pierce)?  WHERE'S THE FEIGNED OUTRAGE?  Because that kind of crap sullies the game of basketball much more than saying a bad word to the guy who just cheap-shot you in the gut.  But I guess they'd rather protect dirty players and dirty plays more than they would like to protect the dignity of the game.  As if you can't say a bad word to somebody who just cheap-shot you...come on, this is playoff basketball, you let the players decide the game, and you don't protect the instigators because you're too lazy/incompetent to see what actually happened in the first place.

[Mr October]

Bottom line... Shut up and play.

Sure Pierce was frustrated with Jones for getting hit hard, but come on dude, this is the playoffs... Jones job is to do everything he can t prevent Pierce from getting a shot off. Take the hit and go to the free throw line. Wade hits you hard on a screen, dont talk to him about it, back it up with play. Same with Delonte.

Less focus on talking and taunting, how about we try to run an offense of guard players on defense. Personally, I find that much more important...

TP. Darn right. Just play. Take the playoff hit and move on and beat them.

Thats how you show toughness.

[Who]

On Thursday, the Blazers’ Chris Johnson(notes) raked Nowitzki across the face, a flagrant foul that left Nowitzki sprawled on his back. After a few moments, Nowitzki picked himself up, made both free throws then promptly stuck a step-back jump shot. The next time down the floor, he drove for a reverse layup.

“Toughness doesn’t always mean throwing a punch back,” Chandler said. “It means getting up and going at ‘em even tougher. … Dirk got up. Instead of getting in some dumb altercation, he said, ‘All right, I’m going to punish you.’ ”

[GreenFaith1819]

I like the vast majority of Jackie MacMullan's articles, but with watching most of the game yesterday I just had the feeling that if it came down to Officiating, The Celtics would not get any calls - and that is a shame to the NBA.

It is one thing to have SOME of the calls go your way on your home floor - to me that is expected. But what happened to Paul Pierce yesterday (and JO) was uncalled for.

Yes - the ideal thing to do is keep your cool..I agree with those here who say that Paul should've kept his cool.

But in those conditions..in the heat of the game - how many of us would've kept our cool?

I would've been hard-pressed to keep my cool, myself.

I'm proud of the way that Paul Pierce played, but I lost a little trust in the officiating yesterday.

[CelticG1]

On Thursday, the Blazers’ Chris Johnson(notes) raked Nowitzki across the face, a flagrant foul that left Nowitzki sprawled on his back. After a few moments, Nowitzki picked himself up, made both free throws then promptly stuck a step-back jump shot. The next time down the floor, he drove for a reverse layup.

“Toughness doesn’t always mean throwing a punch back,” Chandler said. “It means getting up and going at ‘em even tougher. … Dirk got up. Instead of getting in some dumb altercation, he said, ‘All right, I’m going to punish you.’ ”

If you are trying to say Dirk is tough I beg to differ

[hangfan]

On Thursday, the Blazers’ Chris Johnson(notes) raked Nowitzki across the face, a flagrant foul that left Nowitzki sprawled on his back. After a few moments, Nowitzki picked himself up, made both free throws then promptly stuck a step-back jump shot. The next time down the floor, he drove for a reverse layup.

“Toughness doesn’t always mean throwing a punch back,” Chandler said. “It means getting up and going at ‘em even tougher. … Dirk got up. Instead of getting in some dumb altercation, he said, ‘All right, I’m going to punish you.’ ”

If you are trying to say Dirk is tough I beg to differ

The way Dirk handled the flagrant foul resulted in positive results for his team. He improved their  chances of winning the game by going on a scoring spree. He might not have knocked Chris Johnson on his behind, but what would that have proved? That he can get a technical? I would rather Pierce demoralize James Jones by scoring all over him.

[GreenFaith1819]

On Thursday, the Blazers’ Chris Johnson(notes) raked Nowitzki across the face, a flagrant foul that left Nowitzki sprawled on his back. After a few moments, Nowitzki picked himself up, made both free throws then promptly stuck a step-back jump shot. The next time down the floor, he drove for a reverse layup.

“Toughness doesn’t always mean throwing a punch back,” Chandler said. “It means getting up and going at ‘em even tougher. … Dirk got up. Instead of getting in some dumb altercation, he said, ‘All right, I’m going to punish you.’ ”

If you are trying to say Dirk is tough I beg to differ

The way Dirk handled the flagrant foul resulted in positive results for his team. He improved their  chances of winning the game by going on a scoring spree. He might not have knocked Chris Johnson on his behind, but what would that have proved? That he can get a technical? I would rather Pierce demoralize James Jones by scoring all over him.

Me too....it's just that I don't think that Paul would've gotten many calls in his favor by attempting to go on a scoring spree yesterday. Paul's game is based on slashing to the hoop as well as shooting, and the way the game was reffed yesterday I just don't think he would've gotten many calls by trying to go to the hoop.

[Redz]

Just the other day I was venting about Pierce's antics in the `04 playoffs in the "can you forgive a player for a mistake that costs a game"  thread.  I had a real tough time with that one for quite some time.

I thought Pierce had grown up, but yesterday he let his emotions get the best of him.  In the Indiana game of yore Antoine bailed him out in OT.  Yesterday, no such luck (though I did like some of what I saw with the team - especially KG - stepping up in his absence). I'm not saying the Celts would have won if he was still in there yesterday, but he was starting to heat up.  Pierce is plenty capable of letting his vindictiveness show through his play. 

Hopefully he can do just that in Game 2.

I'm disappointed in Pierce. Not very "Captain like".

[GreenFaith1819]

Just the other day I was venting about Pierce's antics in the `04 playoffs in the "can you forgive a player for a mistake that costs a game"  thread.  I had a real tough time with that one for quite some time.

I thought Pierce had grown up, but yesterday he let his emotions get the best of him.  In the Indiana game of yore Antoine bailed him out in OT.  Yesterday, no such luck (though I did like some of what I saw with the team - especially KG - stepping up in his absence). I'm not saying the Celts would have won if he was still in there yesterday, but he was starting to heat up.  Pierce is plenty capable of letting his vindictiveness show through his play. 

Hopefully he can do just that in Game 2.

I'm disappointed in Pierce. Not very "Captain like".

So Redz - Do you believe that Paul would've gotten some calls in his favor if he would've stayed in the game? I watched most of the game yesterday, and to me at least it appeared as if Boston would've had to have played a PERFECT game to beat MIA yesterday.

That is why I don't post so much in the game threads anymore - I spend more time actually watching the flow of games. It just seemed to me that Paul would not have received the benefit of the calls yesterday.

[Redz]

Just the other day I was venting about Pierce's antics in the `04 playoffs in the "can you forgive a player for a mistake that costs a game"  thread.  I had a real tough time with that one for quite some time.

I thought Pierce had grown up, but yesterday he let his emotions get the best of him.  In the Indiana game of yore Antoine bailed him out in OT.  Yesterday, no such luck (though I did like some of what I saw with the team - especially KG - stepping up in his absence). I'm not saying the Celts would have won if he was still in there yesterday, but he was starting to heat up.  Pierce is plenty capable of letting his vindictiveness show through his play. 

Hopefully he can do just that in Game 2.

I'm disappointed in Pierce. Not very "Captain like".

So Redz - Do you believe that Paul would've gotten some calls in his favor if he would've stayed in the game? I watched most of the game yesterday, and to me at least it appeared as if Boston would've had to have played a PERFECT game to beat MIA yesterday.

That is why I don't post so much in the game threads anymore - I spend more time actually watching the flow of games. It just seemed to me that Paul would not have received the benefit of the calls yesterday.

I don't know whether the calls would have improved or not, but I do believe his team would have had a better chance at winning the game if he was on the floor instead of the locker room.

[hangfan]

Just the other day I was venting about Pierce's antics in the `04 playoffs in the "can you forgive a player for a mistake that costs a game"  thread.  I had a real tough time with that one for quite some time.

I thought Pierce had grown up, but yesterday he let his emotions get the best of him.  In the Indiana game of yore Antoine bailed him out in OT.  Yesterday, no such luck (though I did like some of what I saw with the team - especially KG - stepping up in his absence). I'm not saying the Celts would have won if he was still in there yesterday, but he was starting to heat up.  Pierce is plenty capable of letting his vindictiveness show through his play. 

Hopefully he can do just that in Game 2.

I'm disappointed in Pierce. Not very "Captain like".

So Redz - Do you believe that Paul would've gotten some calls in his favor if he would've stayed in the game? I watched most of the game yesterday, and to me at least it appeared as if Boston would've had to have played a PERFECT game to beat MIA yesterday.

That is why I don't post so much in the game threads anymore - I spend more time actually watching the flow of games. It just seemed to me that Paul would not have received the benefit of the calls yesterday.

I don't know whether the calls would have improved or not, but I do believe his team would have had a better chance at winning the game if he was on the floor instead of the locker room.

Agreed. Isn't getting the benefit of the doubt on calls one of the reasons for trying to get home court advantage in the playoffs? I'm not a person who blames games on refs. Though I don't think Pierce should have been ejected for words (second tech for cursing?), he put himself and his team in a bad position.

[Redz]

Just the other day I was venting about Pierce's antics in the `04 playoffs in the "can you forgive a player for a mistake that costs a game"  thread.  I had a real tough time with that one for quite some time.

I thought Pierce had grown up, but yesterday he let his emotions get the best of him.  In the Indiana game of yore Antoine bailed him out in OT.  Yesterday, no such luck (though I did like some of what I saw with the team - especially KG - stepping up in his absence). I'm not saying the Celts would have won if he was still in there yesterday, but he was starting to heat up.  Pierce is plenty capable of letting his vindictiveness show through his play.  

Hopefully he can do just that in Game 2.

I'm disappointed in Pierce. Not very "Captain like".

So Redz - Do you believe that Paul would've gotten some calls in his favor if he would've stayed in the game? I watched most of the game yesterday, and to me at least it appeared as if Boston would've had to have played a PERFECT game to beat MIA yesterday.

That is why I don't post so much in the game threads anymore - I spend more time actually watching the flow of games. It just seemed to me that Paul would not have received the benefit of the calls yesterday.

I don't know whether the calls would have improved or not, but I do believe his team would have had a better chance at winning the game if he was on the floor instead of the locker room.

Agreed. Isn't getting the benefit of the doubt on calls one of the reasons for trying to get home court advantage in the playoffs? I'm not a person who blames games on refs. Though I don't think Pierce should have been ejected for words (second tech for cursing?), he put himself and his team in a bad position.

I think the 2nd T was largely the result of the refs feeling like they gave Pierce the benefit of the doubt not giving him the boot when he initiated facial contact with Jones.

edit:  he really should have just head butted him..."initiating facial contact" sounds way too much like he's trying to make the moves on him at the end of a first date or something