http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html
Pierce, Stevenson each fined $25,000 for 'menacing gestures'
Story Highlights
Pierce was sanctioned for flashing a hand gesture toward Horford
Stevenson was called for a flagrant foul for swiping James' headband
ATLANTA (AP) -- Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson were fined $25,000 each by the NBA on Monday for making "menacing gestures" in playoff games, another attempt by the league to crack down on bad behavior.
Pierce was sanctioned for flashing a hand gesture toward Atlanta's Al Horford and attempting to stare him down in the fourth quarter of the Celtics' 102-93 loss to the Hawks on Saturday. Pierce had to be pulled back to the Boston bench by his teammates.
Stevenson was called for a flagrant foul when he swiped LeBron James' burgundy headband off late in the first half of a 100-97 loss to the Cavaliers.
"The league is sending a message that we have the best athletes in the world: Play the game," NBA commissioner David Stern said during a stop in Atlanta. "If you get baited, don't take the bait."
After Horford hit a clinching basket with 22 seconds left in Atlanta's Game 3 victory, the rookie began jawing with Pierce before heading for the Hawks bench. Pierce followed Horford as far as midcourt, glaring in his direction before holding up his right hand, forming an "O" with his thumb and index finger and extending the other three fingers.
Pierce's gesture resembled a gang sign, though Boston general manager Danny Ainge denied that it had anything to with such an illicit activity. He said the player holds up three fingers to represent "blood, sweat and tears."
"Watch what Paul does when he's introduced. He's done it for every game," Ainge said. "That's not anything related to" gangs.
Horford said he understood why the league came down so hard on Pierce.
"I knew he was upset after the play," the Hawks forward said. "I honestly didn't know what it meant. But the league wants to keep its image."
Pierce declined comment on the fine, though he indicated it would be appealed.
"I'm here getting ready for Game 4," he said before Monday night's contest at Philips Arena. "We'll take care of that when the season's over. I'm not really worried about it right now."
Boston coach Doc Rivers expects Pierce to win the appeal.
"It's silly," Rivers said. "Unfortunately, everybody's very sensitive about signs. I didn't know that. I know now. I'll be careful when I'm giving signals to the players, I'll tell you that."
Stevenson called James "overrated" after a game in March, and turned the playoffs into a personal grudge match.
The league said Stevenson made "menacing gestures" during the first quarter of Sunday's game. In the second, he came across the lane and swiped his right arm across the top of James' head, knocking off the All-Star's headband and sending him sprawling to the court.
The image-conscious Stern said the league is serious about its crackdown.
"We've got extraordinarily gifted athletes playing a special game," he said. "We're not going to let it degenerate into something else. Period."
Yeah...like Pierce would actually step to Horford...Al would crush him.
Got to give it to the rookie, he is not intimidated.
Yup...Horford is a cool guy off the court, but he doesn't back down from ANYONE in a game. He was a beast when he was with the Gators, and he's still a beast in the NBA. If he doesn't get ROY, it's a ing crime.
Pierce claimed it was just the sign for "blood, sweat, and tears."
No, it's B for Boston!
Last edited by GuerillaBlack; 04-29-2008 at 12:00 AM.
No, it's B for BOUNCED by the Hawks in the first round!No, it's be for Boston!
Pierce needs to worry about Game 5. Making signs at a Rookie of all people. He is better then that.
Apparently not.
Horford got into KG's head in game 1 and 2.
KG was trash talking to him all game.
I found it hilarious also to trash talk to a rookie especially when you're leading by 20+
what happened to the veterans?
this young Atlanta team will be one of the teams in the future. Horford is good, he's a hard-worker on both ends of the floor..
that's what separates Tim Duncan to the rest of the much-hyped NBA superstars like KG. He'll accept losing gracefully.
Pretty easy to do when you have won four rings.
to boston:
2 words.
mental toughness.
How old is Pierce?
And how long has he been in the NBA?
What a disgrace... Gang signs???
Pierce didnt throw up any gang signs...
It is hip hop related, the hip hop equivalent to this....
examples below..
http://wppd-images.web.aol.com/music...nes-082907.jpg
http://www.theredlemonstore.com/imag...m-jones_lg.jpg
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6...0jones1sh3.jpg
I think he actually threw a Crips sign - the Blood Killer Sign.
It's the same sign thrown here by JR Smith.
A Crip gang member would use the "BK" hand sign to mean "Kill a Blood." The small "o" formed by the thumb and index finger and the middle finger are supposed to resemble a lowercase letter "b." The last three fingers spread out and form the "k."
Actually those hip hop signs are not what he threw. He put his index and thumb together with the other three fingers up.
Fillmoe, those pictures are of Jim Jones who is a known blood
plus Pierce went to Inglewood High...so Blood, Sweat, and Tears?? Sounds like some bs to keep the league's image clean
This thread got just plain stupid quick.
What the does this mean?
"Oh, it just means we'll get with the league and review it when the seasons over."
yeah, right...
Sounds like the gang mentality is starting to peak in the NBA
Pierce is trying to intimidate people
Gang members can only be intimidating when they come at you with their whole gang. Pierce coming by himself isn't going to scare anyone.
Isnt it funny that a rookie and a guy named Zaza are getting into the head of these two veterans
Dirk should take some tips from Zaza and Horford, even though I really Like Dirk their is no way he should have let what West did to him go, he should have at least cursed him out imo. If the Mavs lose everyone will blame it on Dirk, poor guy.
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