Pietrus a punk?

[3-Pt_Shooter]

I know the Magic were pretty frustrated to lose Game 4 (especially the way they did), but does that excuse the flagrant foul by Pietrus? And, do you think the league office will suspend him for the next game?

[Danny Darko]

no don't suspend him. Frustration foul, but if we were on the other end we'd understand because Pau could have held the ball. I don't like the idea of a suspension in the finals for something that wasn't intent to injure.

[dockingsched]

def. not a suspension. at the time i thought it was a pretty cheap foul. after watching it a couple of times and realizing there was like 3 seconds left, i think pietrus had the right intentions and wanted to stand up for his team. i'd expect the same from a lakers' player if they were in the same position.

[Ghost Snack]

Pretty dirty, but I hope the league does not suspend him.

[LA Warrior]

not a punk. he has class just got frustrated and tried to stop a basket. it was probably a flagrant but i'm not going to hold it against the guy i cant say i wouldnt have done the samething.

[doozyj]

We need them to be complete, better that way. So they won't pull the ol'
"We didn't have <insert role player here>"

[milesfides]

Nah, he was just mad that the Magic lost the game, perhaps the series, and didn't like that Gasol was going to go for an alley-oop dunk.

That being said, if the Magic were going to fold the game, they should have laid off and allowed Ariza to run the clock down.

But they crowded Ariza who was forced to make a play - and it was the right one to the open Gasol.

I don't agree with the commentators after the game who said Gasol should have caught the ball and dribbled out the clock. Nonsense, especially with the pass right at the rim. If the opponent is still playing, you should keep playing too.

Pietrus should be upset at his teammates, not Gasol.

[Slava]

Some people get too big for their shoes when things go their way and Pietrus was having the game of his life. Natural to be frustrated but the close fisted bump is definitely malicious. I hope he texted Gasol and apologized or something like that after the game.

[Sofa King]

Don't suspend him. It was the heat of the moment and no one got hurt. No harm. Magic will need him to push another game in this series.

[Dr Aki]

doesnt have a history of being classless...

unlike dahntay jones...

[lakersfanatic]

if pau hadn't hung on the rim for a little bit longer and fail straight to the floor on his back then yes, suspension, but because pau probably anticipated it and hung there a little longer, it didn't looked that bad.
But in the replay pietrus clearly clutched two fist and purposedly wanted to inflict damage. I mean pau was already on his way up.. what else do you want to do other then a frustrated late hit.

Most likely the league won't suspend him, but instead fine him

[mikedeezy2k9]

uhhh im a laker fan and the only punk i seen on that play was pau gasol lol

[hermes]

pretty bad foul, but justifiable under the circumstances

[CX44]

Maybe I'm bias but I believe if Kobe had committed that foul he would have been suspended. Time left does not matter there's no reason for a play like that.

[Speedlot]

It was a PUNCH... with an intent to injure. If Gasol did not DUNK it and hold onto the rim.. he would've flown 5 feet through the air. That play was DISGUSTING and uncalled for.

Fisher should blocked a bigger guy and he flew 5 feet. Piet did a running double handed club on Gasol. Fisher got suspended, piet should be too.


It is the finals. Man up and play til the end, especially if it's a wide open uncontested dunk.

[TonyMontana]

Ya it was out of frustration for sure. I dont think he ment to hurt Pau and he was pissed that Ariza didnt just hold on to the ball and they felt like we were rubbing it in on them.
But one thing is for sure, he cant guard Kobe, come to think of it NOBODY CAN.

[El Hardee]

That foul was much dirtier than Fish shoulder checking Scola, if Fich got suspended than the same should happen to Pieboy, anytime you push someone in the back with a running start is dirty, not to mention Pau was in the air. I wont go as far as to say Pieboy is a thug, that was a thuggish type play. SUSPEND THAT FOOL!!!!!!! WAR PAU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LAKESHOW]

total frustration at the knowledge that this series is OVER!

because he was ballin. he was attacking. he was gettin to the rim. he was challenging kobe at every turn. if there was anyone on that team that truly showed up for their team, with the exception of the last second shot, which he should not have taken but the other stars should have . . . , but anyhow, he was the heart of the team last nite. i give the dude props, because he was playin with heart. and the other guys choked.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Dirty play, pau was lucky to hold onto the rim. Otherwise he could of landed on his head, or slipped and fell on his hip. Thats bush league play. Throwing fists at someone's back in mid air. Very Dangerous.

[miggs]

To those who say that Pietrus' dirty play was justifiable due to the circumstances, you're wrong. Pietrus was CLEARLY trying to injure Pau. Had he pushed him with open hands then i'd say it is justifiable since the series is over already. However, he goes at Pau with clenched fists and clearly tries gain moment on hitting Pau as hard as he can. What a dirty play and he SHOULDN'T be suspended, just so he can see the end of his team's dreams in game 5! F*** PIETRUS!