Why Pierce Stunk

[Jeremy <jwarren@eecs.tufts.edu>]

> Quickly... There seems to be some suggestion on the list and elsewhere
> that Pierce played poorly Saturday because of some residual effect from
> his injuries. I don't buy that. This isn't a knock on Pierce, because
> everyone has bad games, but I just think he stunk. 

The reason that Pierce played poorly against Cleveland is that in the
first half on a drive to the hoop Ilgauskas grabbed Pierce's shoulders and
slammed him down.  It had to hurt, even if he weren't recovering from near
fatal stab wounds.  And the most frustrating part about it was that later
on Vitale was joking around with Ilgauskas.  I realize that they are
friends, but Vitale should have at leasted warned Ilgauskas.  And really
Vitale should have retaliated.  If Vitale won't protect Pierce and Walker
from hard fouls, he is absolutely useless.  The Celtics needed to send a
message that hard fouls committed against our players will have
consequences, but they did not to that.  If Pitino is afraid of physical
play, then he should retire now because his coaching will only shorten
Pierce's career.

Jeremy