A telling quote from Pierce

[Bad-Thoma]

It was a night when the Celtics could have given up mentally after a highly questionable offensive foul call (Bennett Salvatore called Pierce for a charge as he drew contact from Richard Hamilton behind the 3-point line and made the shot) and two subsequent free throws by Detroit amounted to a six-point swing that Detroit used to open a 66-58 lead.

"I didn't let it frustrate me like I probably would in the past. I probably would have lost my poise, lost my cool, got a technical. But that would have been selfish of me," Pierce said.

Got this quote from an article on espn, not to bring up the Salvatore debacle call again but I was amazed at the composure that Paul showed after that call. I'm sure everyone remembers the infamous Jamaal Tinsley shoving, shirt throwing, head bandaged Paul Pierce of a few years ago. Pierce has truly become the Captain, a leader by example on the floor, and it has been wonderful to see. From trusting his team to sacrificing his offense, from commiting to defense 100% of the time to keeping his composure, and still putting the team on his back when they need him, here's to #34 ending up in the rafters, and if we can pull out this championship, here's to Paul clinching another touch of green in the NBA HOF. It's been a joy to watch, Thank You Paul Pierce.

[bru87tr]

pro the worst call I have ever seen. much worse than the brent barry call.

I just dont know how pro refs, 3.... get that wrong and see it one way.


NBA refs...... where amazing happens!!!

[GYBE]

It really demonstrates the maturity Pierce has now. And the maturity of the whole team. To go on the road and stage such an efficient 4th quarter comeback, it's the type of thing only a mentally strong, veteran team can accomplish.

Three years ago, Pierce would've got angry, T'ed up and gone on a tirade against Salvatore in the post-game presser. We also would've lost. The transformation in his character has been a treat to watch.

[Joselo16]

Ever since that incident, Paul has really matured into a true captain of this team! He stayed poise, I said i the game thread that he seemed Brady like in his mannerisms where he didn't let it rattle him and just went to work and it payed off in the end.

[BigHands]

It was a night when the Celtics could have given up mentally after a highly questionable offensive foul call (Bennett Salvatore called Pierce for a charge as he drew contact from Richard Hamilton behind the 3-point line and made the shot) and two subsequent free throws by Detroit amounted to a six-point swing that Detroit used to open a 66-58 lead.

"I didn't let it frustrate me like I probably would in the past. I probably would have lost my poise, lost my cool, got a technical. But that would have been selfish of me," Pierce said.

Got this quote from an article on espn, not to bring up the Salvatore debacle call again but I was amazed at the composure that Paul showed after that call. I'm sure everyone remembers the infamous Jamaal Tinsley shoving, shirt throwing, head bandaged Paul Pierce of a few years ago. Pierce has truly become the Captain, a leader by example on the floor, and it has been wonderful to see. From trusting his team to sacrificing his offense, from commiting to defense 100% of the time to keeping his composure, and still putting the team on his back when they need him, here's to #34 ending up in the rafters, and if we can pull out this championship, here's to Paul clinching another touch of green in the NBA HOF. It's been a joy to watch, Thank You Paul Pierce.

I noticed that too.

All these games have been tough physically on the team but mentally I think it has really toughened them.

[Rondo_Fan]

The mental stuff is what wins you championships, which is why I feel good about us going into this series.

A couple of years ago, I would have picked Kobe Bryant over Paul Pierce as far as composure, etc. goes, without even getting into their physical skills. After this year's playoffs so far--and Pierce has continued growing up even over the course of these 20 games--I would take Pierce as the more centered player.

I think L.A. is in for a big surprise. They are probably talking a good game right now, giving us a chance and all, but they don't really believe it. They think that they are going to stomp us. I'm not so sure about that.

And yeah, it was a horrible call.

[ParticleMan]

Live and learn they say. Pierce has done both. Kudos to him.

[tlee324]

I think we're in for a **** storm of BS calls vs. LA, and it's great to see Pierce prepared to take it on with this mindset, for sure.

[MVP4LIFE]

Good points. Maybe it would have been better to sweep 3 teams going into the playoffs, but I'm pretty sure all these games have made us a lot better as a team. Mindset and enduring highs/lows as a group is very important.

[Tricky Ricky]

WHat happened to the pushups?

[PPAW4Life]

I would not have blamed Pierce for flipping out and getting a T.

If he got ejected...then maybe that's going a bit too far.

But that was a terrible....terrible call.

And it was blatantly wrong.