<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>BOSTON (AP)—Celtics forward Paul Pierce, fined $25,000 for what the NBA called a “menacing gesture” during Game 3 of Boston’s playoff series against Atlanta, denied that the sign was gang-related. “I 100 percent do not in any way promote gang violence or anything close to it,” Pierce said in a statement issued Wednesday before Game 5 of the series. “I am sorry if it was misinterpreted that way at Saturday’s game.” The league fined Pierce for flashing a hand gesture toward Atlanta’s Al Horford, holding up his right hand, forming an “O” with his thumb and index finger and extending the other three fingers. Although the gesture has been interpreted as a gang sign, Celtics basketball boss Danny Ainge said the three fingers represented “blood, sweat and tears.” Pierce does it before every game, Ainge said, adding that the fine would be appealed after the season. Pierce said he didn’t want to take any focus away from the playoffs, and added that his foundation is committed to helping urban youth stay away from gangs. “I am extremely proud of the work I have done through the foundation to provide positive influences and safe havens for inner city kids,” he said.</div>
I was really surprised that the league can just take anything that they don't understand and fine you $25k for it. What if he was using sign language to say "I love you Atlanta" or something like that? They would probably fine him for that too. I think Paul is flipping off David Stern right now while nobody is looking.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I believe Paul.</div> I don't. Paul had just been embarrassed and shown up by a rookie. One of the funnier versions of the story that I saw was that during game 2, Paul had yelled out, 10 stacks we sweep your ass and then when Horford was over him he was yelling pay up, pay up
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I believe Paul.</div> I don't. Paul had just been embarrassed and shown up by a rookie. One of the funnier versions of the story that I saw was that during game 2, Paul had yelled out, 10 stacks we sweep your ass and then when Horford was over him he was yelling pay up, pay up </div> That kind of talk is quite different than what the league was going to fine him for. Some trash talking is acceptable, and expected. Did he threaten Paul in any way? Saying stuff like, "We're gonna win the series, or I'm gonna take it to the hoop on you" is not the same.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 11:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I believe Paul.</div> I don't. Paul had just been embarrassed and shown up by a rookie. One of the funnier versions of the story that I saw was that during game 2, Paul had yelled out, 10 stacks we sweep your ass and then when Horford was over him he was yelling pay up, pay up </div> That kind of talk is quite different than what the league was going to fine him for. Some trash talking is acceptable, and expected. Did he threaten Paul in any way? Saying stuff like, "We're gonna win the series, or I'm gonna take it to the hoop on you" is not the same. </div> No, that talk is what led to Paul throwing up a gang sign at Horford
I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ May 1 2008, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.</div> They already defined what the gesture was. Where is the evidence that its a threatening gang sign? I would like to know how they can confuse the two. To me, this is no more sinister a sign language than someone pumping their fist on their chest after a basket, putting up one finger showing that "we're #1", or shaking one's finger at an opponent in a sign that means "no no no, not going to happen". If Paul extended his middle finger and flipped off someone, then that is obviously somethign that they don't want on television. Blood, Sweat, and tears is nothing to get panties in a wad about.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ May 1 2008, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.</div> Paul is obviously a terrorist. Danny Ainge feels that he is not, and is going to appeal the fine after the season. Right now, I'm sure they are busy getting ready for the next game. They shouldn't have to worry about knee-jerk reactions by the league. Until then, Paul is guilty until proven innocent. I think, in general, people are paranoid of things they don't understand. It makes them feel like they don't have complete and total control of the situation, hence the fine over something mild like this.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ May 1 2008, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.</div> I find it hilarious that people believe Paul's politically correct excuse and story that it isn't a gang sign. Paul lost his head and composure and then reverted back to his youth.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 11:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ May 1 2008, 10:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.</div> Paul is obviously a terrorist. Danny Ainge feels that he is not, and is going to appeal the fine after the season. Right now, I'm sure they are busy getting ready for the next game. They shouldn't have to worry about knee-jerk reactions by the league. Until then, Paul is guilty until proven innocent. I think, in general, people are paranoid of things they don't understand. It makes them feel like they don't have complete and total control of the situation, hence the fine over something mild like this. </div> I don't like the fine, but it is to be expected in a league where there is a league-wide dress code. My problem is that Paul isn't willing to admit that he made a stupid decision.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ May 1 2008, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.</div> I find it hilarious that people believe Paul's politically correct excuse and story that it isn't a gang sign. Paul lost his head and composure and then reverted back to his youth. </div> Paul Pierce is a black man from Inglewood, therefore he must be in a gang, right? Lets just ignore that his charity, "The Truth Fund," is dedicated to "provide educational and life-enriching opportunities for underprivileged youth by offering resources and programs that foster safe and stable environments" in Boston and Inglewood. According to his website. While we're at it, lets ignore that he won the "Hometown Community Service Award" in 2002.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I find it hilarious that people believe Paul's politically correct excuse and story that it isn't a gang sign. Paul lost his head and composure and then reverted back to his youth.</div> Innocent until proven guilty, in my opinion. I don't see how one can even take a stand agaist it if they don't even know what it means.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 11:31 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 11:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 07:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 12:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I believe Paul.</div> I don't. Paul had just been embarrassed and shown up by a rookie. One of the funnier versions of the story that I saw was that during game 2, Paul had yelled out, 10 stacks we sweep your ass and then when Horford was over him he was yelling pay up, pay up </div> That kind of talk is quite different than what the league was going to fine him for. Some trash talking is acceptable, and expected. Did he threaten Paul in any way? Saying stuff like, "We're gonna win the series, or I'm gonna take it to the hoop on you" is not the same. </div> No, that talk is what led to Paul throwing up a gang sign at Horford </div> No, Horford telling Paul F U and other words in his face while Paul was laying down, made him get up and go after Horford while he ran away like a little biatch, scared to face him when he's standing up. Gang sign or not, what matters is that the Hawks will lose and the Celtics will win the championship. GO CELTICS!!!!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (agoo101284 @ May 1 2008, 02:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (aquaitious @ May 1 2008, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I love that they're calling it a "gang sign." I think that's just hilarious. As if an athlete making 15 million per year has nothing better to do than be in a gang.</div> I find it hilarious that people believe Paul's politically correct excuse and story that it isn't a gang sign. Paul lost his head and composure and then reverted back to his youth. </div> Paul Pierce is a black man from Inglewood, therefore he must be in a gang, right? Lets just ignore that his charity, "The Truth Fund," is dedicated to "provide educational and life-enriching opportunities for underprivileged youth by offering resources and programs that foster safe and stable environments" in Boston and Inglewood. According to his website. While we're at it, lets ignore that he won the "Hometown Community Service Award" in 2002. </div> I find it hilarious that you believe that Paul's premeditated decisions have any bearing on his spur of the moment decision where he was completely embarrassed and out of control. Also, where did I say Paul was in a gang? I said it was a gang sign.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cpawfan @ May 1 2008, 12:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I find it hilarious that people believe Paul's politically correct excuse and story that it isn't a gang sign. Paul lost his head and composure and then reverted back to his youth.</div> Innocent until proven guilty, in my opinion. I don't see how one can even take a stand agaist it if they don't even know what it means. </div> This is a case where one must use their BS detector.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I find it hilarious that you believe that Paul's premeditated decisions have any bearing on his spur of the moment decision where he was completely embarrassed and out of control.</div> Spur of the moment or not, it's perfectly ok to do what he did, observe the following: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Ainge also pointed out that Pierce makes the signal with both hands during pregame introductions to signify "blood, sweat, and tears." "Every game what does he do?" Ainge said. "He does like, 'Blood, sweat, and tears.' That's kind of his sign. Blood, sweat, and tears. That's what he does every game. That's what he does every single game during introductions." Pierce made the gestures before Game 4 last night, too.</div>
He wasn't out of control, he was going after Horford and I wish Horford did stand up to him like a man. Watch the video again where Horford is going nuts, screaming in front of Paul, cursing and what not. What Paul did after that was right and I would do the same, no matter what the fine would be. Not letting a rookie bitch act like he's god while I've been in the league for so many years.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticKing @ May 1 2008, 01:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>He wasn't out of control, he was going after Horford and I wish Horford did stand up to him like a man. Watch the video again where Horford is going nuts, screaming in front of Paul, cursing and what not. What Paul did after that was right and I would do the same, no matter what the fine would be. Not letting a rookie bitch act like he's god while I've been in the league for so many years.</div> In a way, Pierce is actually taking the high road by his non-verbal communication, rather than escalating.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Return of the Raider @ May 1 2008, 02:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I find it hilarious that you believe that Paul's premeditated decisions have any bearing on his spur of the moment decision where he was completely embarrassed and out of control.</div> Spur of the moment or not, it's perfectly ok to do what he did, observe the following: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Ainge also pointed out that Pierce makes the signal with both hands during pregame introductions to signify "blood, sweat, and tears." "Every game what does he do?" Ainge said. "He does like, 'Blood, sweat, and tears.' That's kind of his sign. Blood, sweat, and tears. That's what he does every game. That's what he does every single game during introductions." Pierce made the gestures before Game 4 last night, too.</div> </div> That's great and all, but it still doesn't pass the BS test for the game situation. It is a lovely and convenient excuse though
