As reported yesterday, Paul Pierce was fined $25,000 for making a "menacing gesture" at the end of the Sunday's Game 3 loss. It was unclear at the time what the gesture meant, but it certainly resembled some kind of gang-sign, which is probably why the NBA decided to crack down. (Decide for yourself: it's around the 30 second mark of this video.)After hearing about the fine, though, the Celtics are upset, claiming that hand gesture is something Pierce has been doing all season long. From the Boston Herald:
"Watch what Paul does when he's introduced. He's done it for every game," said Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge. "That's not anything related to" gangs.Apparently the Celtics are also a bit miffed of the timing of the fine -- instead of happening in the morning, when it could make it's way through the news cycle and be old news come tip-off, it wasn't announced until 6pm, right when Pierce is supposed to be busy preparing for the game and getting into his game face. Also, I can't imagine Ainge is happy about Al Horford escaping Stern's attention -- after all, no matter what signs Pierce may or may not have been flashing, he was reacting to Horford's taunts in the first place.
Before last night's game, Ainge sought out commissioner David Stern in the press room and the two engaged in an animated discussion. Ainge was clearly seen trying to demonstrate the blood, sweat and tears sign that Pierce makes when he is introduced before games.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-29-2008 @ 1:56PM
frank said...
That was a gang sign!
Reply
4-29-2008 @ 2:05PM
Chris said...
Pierce is from a neighborhood in Inglewood that is controlled by bloods. Given his background, I think it was obvious to anyone who lives in Los Angeles (like me) that Paul was throwing a gang sign. I'm not surprised one bit by this incident.
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4-29-2008 @ 2:22PM
August West said...
Since when is Stern supposed to announce fines on a timetable most suitable to the Celtics?
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4-29-2008 @ 2:38PM
Joel said...
If anyone knows gangs, it's Danny Ainge. He went to BYU, people!
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4-29-2008 @ 3:11PM
August West said...
I only know gang signs from watching white girls take pictures.
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4-29-2008 @ 4:01PM
sid lazarow said...
OF COURSE IT WAS A GANG SIGN.HE WAS NOTIFYING ALL THE GANG MEMBERS WHO CALL THEMSELVES BASKETBALL PLAYERS.
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4-30-2008 @ 2:32PM
gigi said...
That was not a gang sign I was born and raised in Boston, and if your from "the Bean" you would know he's just repping our town. We've been doing it for as long as I can remember.
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5-04-2008 @ 2:50PM
tom thumb said...
Gang Sign all the way......thats what people do when they can't speak English correctly....they use hand signs! Stupid ignorant, black racist piece of crapis what Peirce is!!!!!
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