Paul Pierce fined for throwing gang sign
Posted: April 29, 2008, 6:27 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2 ... id=3372718
That's funny. I bet the bangers in my neighborhood are just making the sign to reflect their hardships as well. I am fairly certain they aren't doing it to support the Celtics. Then again, they may be aware of a possible affiliation which the NBA is not. I caught the sign when he made it on the sideline during the game, and I was wondering when the NBA switched to a duel system for punishing fouls.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."