A bostonherald.com article from cecil.wright@justice.gc.ca

[bird <birdwl@earthlink.net>]

> From: <cecil.wright@JUSTICE.GC.CA>
>
> Comments:
> I don't often agree with Callahan on everything but he has a point in
> this article.

Well, he's a got a point, but I'm not sure I agree with it.  I mean, if 
his overall point is that Pierce ought to subvert his ideas for the team 
to the coaches, I think that's obvious, and perhaps he's correct in 
pointing out some of Pierce's more flamboyant faults.

But maybe not.  I mean, I don't care when or if Walker wiggles, and I don'
't really mind that Pierce pisses off Corie Blount.  Who gives a rat's ass 
about Blount anyway?  He'll have plenty of time to think about how his 
feeling were hurt on the court over the summer.  Callahan wants to make it 
seem as if Larry Bird only trash-talked after he won many titles and 
awards, but the guy probably talked smack in driveways in Indiana, fer 
cryin' out loud.  This writer doesn't like it that Pierce had the temerity 
to say "sweep, sweep!"?  Hard to believe.  What's he supposed to do, ask 
Allen Iverson politely if he would care for another free throw like the 
Grey Poupon commercials?   And the whole comparison with Scottie Pippen is 
weak.  I mean "the only difference is that Pierce went back out on the 
floor"?  Kind of the crux of the whole issue, isn't it?  Kind of the 
defining difference between a player expressing frustration over not 
having the play called for him, and a player who sulks and refuses to go 
play because the play wasn't called for him.  And so he shouted something 
at the end of the game, and told a reporter he was pissed off about it.  
This *could* be a major deal and the beginnings of a serious headcase like 
Callahan seems to think, but I've got a feeling it's just 
ultra-competitive Pierce wanting the do the best and most that he can.  If 
he didn't want it, he wouldn't be Paul Pierce.

Like Tammo, I'm reserving final judgement.  Too many variables, not enough 
information.  I bet, though, that in less than a week, this is all 
forgotten.

I don't expect much from sportswriters (though Bulpett often exceeds 
expectations, he just may turn out to be a big cut above the usual), but 
both the timing of the article, and the intensity with which he pursues 
this perceived fault of Pierce's is unfortunate.

Bird