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Home > Features > Breaking Down the NBA > Did Pierce Fake It?

Did Pierce Fake It?

by Christopher Sells
Jun 6th, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?This is a special feature by guest blogger Christopher Sells.

Paul Pierce fell on the ground, writhing in pain. He had to be carried off the court and he was transferred to a wheelchair once in the tunnel. But he shook off a strained meniscus to come back and lead the Celtics to victory over the Lakers in what will surely be one of the most celebrated performances in an already illustrious rivalry. One problem, though.

Some people think Pierce was faking:
To nearly 50 years of delicious Celtics-Lakers lore, add a new apparent bit of chicanery.

Call it the Fake N'Shake...
Pierce hobbled out with drama dripping from every step.
He was so hurt, he immediately began sprinting around the stunned Lakers defenders.
Never mind that it would take an inordinate amount of planning and acting and the involvement of too many people on the Celtics' staff, it would just have been ridiculous. I suppose that when Kendrick Perkins went for that block, he was instructed to land awkwardly on Pierce. And who takes a dive when they're in the middle of a hot streak?

It was an example of a player shaking off injury to play in a game that he's probably been waiting his entire life to play in. You could see the limp and Pierce took to mostly spotting up afterwards. It was obvious that he wasn't himself.

People want to compare it to Willis Reed's performance in the Finals, but this was different. Not only was Pierce's comeback in the middle of a game, he actually ended up playing well enough to make a difference. I'd say he was the reason the Celtics won. That and an ice-cold shooting performance from the Lakers in the fourth quarter, anyway.

[image:http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2019/2096531134_c9c1071062_m.jpg]
Comments (41)
a guest June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
faked it...a three minute turnaround for an injury like that is unheard of...sorry
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a guest June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
definitely.
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a guest June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
crying to da locker-room on a wheel chair? then running back out?give me a break...pleeeeaassseeeee. Celts out played the lakers but that was BS
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bubba June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
i bet you sissys dont play ball, you just sit around at home in front of ya laptops eating pizza, checking out girls in myspace. how can pierce be sure that he would make all those shots and the lakers offense would crumble after he came back...sore losers are worse losers
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u serious? June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
this man has been waiting his WHOLE career to get here, he waded through a lotta shi* to get here and stuck with the celtics through everything.. you honestly think he would fake an injury and lose that precious time on the court, after waiting 10 years to get to this point?! you guys are ridiculous. you guys are sore losers who will come up with anything to make an excuse for a loss and obviously dont know how hungry he is for that trophy...
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oldsurfrat June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Not faking it just -- just a huge baby -- he was crying when he got scratched on the chest
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NBAluver June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
That was so awful. Pierce needs to act like a grown man. That guy thinks he's shooting a film about his life. Bubba I think you should start playing some physical basketball and then you will realize when you are on the floor and get carried to the locker room you just dont come out after three minutes and play like that. Dont underestimate the value of pain.
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down under dude June 06, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
its called a needle injection, some people have no idea
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a guest June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
if i were a boston or pierce fan, i would surely hope he was faking. why? if he wasn't faking, then he is the biggest wussy in the nba. nobody cries like that and gets carried off for basically a non-injury.
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a guest June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Yes. He was carried out! Somehow he recovered without a limp and was able to have perfect elevation to his several deep threes. Most players come out for a rest on the bench. That was a planned rest for Pierce that served to change the then-current direction of the game that favored the Lakers. Its a shame we can't just play straight up without gimmicks.
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a guest June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
You know what Tell yourself what ever makes you feel good Laker Fans. 2 Facts are evident 1 the Celtics are a better defensive team then the Lakers and Defense wins championship and 2 Paul Pierce is a tough MF and he wasnt faking it. This man was stabbed 11 times and played a month later.
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deano21121 June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
yeahh because you fake an injury in the biggest game of your career :S ? what would the celtics gain from pierce missing part of the game please tell me ? ! !
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Julian June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
He is a wimp. YOu don't get hurt like that, carried off the floor then come back out and play like there is nothing wrong within 5 minutes. Good way to get the crowd into it (if you don't mind looking like the bigest douche in all of the NBA) but come on! Shot or no shot to his injury he was definately faking it. Bottom line.. Lakers will win in 6 maybe seven games. Boston will then go back to being the same losers they have been since Red Aurbach last coached them. Boston Celtics, Celtic Fans & Bill Walton can all SUCK IT. Kobe is the man, LA ROCKS. Peace Wieners.
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Goredsox June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
The only reason why im skeptical is because i simply havent seen a case like pierce's in an NBA game and I have been a hugh fan of this game for more than 20 years. I believe Pierce was hurt but im wondering, was it that serious? I think Pierce should be called, "the exaggerated truth" but other than that, it's safe to say Boston's defense ultimately won the game.
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NBAluver June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Deano 21121, the celtics gained momentum and thats huge in every sport. Pierce was carried out with 6:49 left to go in the third and came back out of the tunnel with 5:27 left in the third. He then came back out on the court with 5:04 on the clock. To me that sounds like a well planned idea without Pierce having to miss much of the game.
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dc June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
let him fake it... they just going 2 lose!
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SickHopz June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
pierce faked it... it's because the celtics need all the motivation they can get to even challenge the lakers... Pierce is a coward.... Kobe and the Lake Show 2008 Champs.. all that acting that peirce did will be worth nothing...
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SickHopz June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Pierce should change his nickname from the "Truth" to something else because there's nothing true about him anymore...If they lose (Which they will) Pierce is gonna be laughed at by his peers..
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raek1 June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
stupid... didnt fake it.... maybe he thought he couldnt play then suddenly he could.... haters=idiots
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TEMPY June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
IVE ALWAYS HATED PAUL PIERCE, NOW THIS JUST GIVES ME EVEN MORE REASON TOO. HES A GIRL, A BALL HOG AND THINK SHES TOP SHIT.


I DONT KNOW HOW HE SCORES SO MANY POINTS HES SO SLOW ON THE COURT AND LACKS ATHLETICISM, HE BARELY JUMO SOFF THE GROUND FOR HIS JUMSHOT

THE REST OF THE CELTICS ARE OK BUT NOT PAUL PIERCE
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punk June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
kay then tell me..whats the point of faking the injury?
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dw June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
im not sayin he faked it... just sayin it was pretty soft! even if he came back in the last min!
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grantnyc June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
After having just watched a Pittsburgh Penguin take a laser shot frozen puck in the face and then skating himself off and returning to play with his 'second' broken nose in the finals, it certainly makes Pierce's antics look laughable. Pierce is just giving fans what they want - drama. But it's closer to WWE than NHL. Both are entertaining.
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RaptorFan June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
one word, fake! I lost tons of respect for pierce after that stunt, and so did people around the NBA. When it happened it looked like his career was in limbo but then he comes back on the court without evem hobbling. One thing we do know, when pierce is done playing basketball, he will be seen playing in your local movie theatres.
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The Truth Prevails June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
You can't fake that. It's no different than when MJ played sick. Paul is "The Truth" believe it ladies and gentlemen
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jiminy cricket June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
i don't see how it helped the celtics at all if he faked. its not as if he faked it to get free throws, or a call against anyone on the lakers. so if anything, wouldn't it be detrimental to the celtics, losing their top scorer for a while?not disrespectin' anyone's conspiracy theories here, just throwin' my opinion in the mix.
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kooner June 07, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
PIERCE is a pu**sy b*tc* he faked it. his a loser and if he shows his face in la his gonna get shot. this guy is a loser who doesn't deserve to play with Garnett and Allen, he makes them look like b*tc*s. Pierce is a fake who should be shot down. he just did that to get the crowd in and people to talk about him. GOOOO LAKERSSSSSSSS
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that one guy... June 08, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
wow no shit he faked it... why did he refuse to get an MRI then... ill tell u why... becuase he doesn't want everyone to find out its not a sprained knee.. its a joke.. its bullshit.. "the truth" my ass.. and to the idiot who said sometin about bostons D... ur an idiot.. celtics D didn't do shit... lakers shots just rimmed out... if u think this win is a statement win then ur all f-in wrong... no way in hell will kobe go 9/26 again... in fact i believe last time he went 9/26 in a playoff game he dropped 49 the next game...
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Wheelchair4hire June 09, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Pierce pulled a "Nancy Karrigan"!! The only difference is Nancy really got hurt!! The guy has a career in Hollywood as I'm sure many movie producers got a sneak peek into the next Oscar winner!! This is a new one...something I would have expected from Red Aurbach but not from Nancy ...oops I mean Paul. Way to go Paul you proved to me and all those that you're a tuff guy!!! You gave us all a reason to look forward to your movies!! I truly can't wait...
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neutral June 09, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Everyone knows he faked it, they are going to do everything to win! Got the referee's to call more of the fouls on the Lakers! They are the rough & tough players, but not too many fouls are called against them!? What the F_ _ _K?
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anti-oly June 09, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
common oly sandor idiot, he didnt fake it. youre just hating. all your posts or blogs seem to be always hating on the players. whether they are overrater, overpaid, you know you always hate on them, like they owe you the game, you punk, just bec your vancouver has no team, or your love, BRYANT REEVES, has not slept with you, you always complain or hate. your thing should be renamed hating the nba. this is the only hoops site that has some punk like you say that pierce faked it! do us a favor and just write something else, hater! your blogs or f rated articles at best suck big time.
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a guest June 09, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Firstly, Oly didn't write this article. Secondly, the blogger's opinion is that Paul Pierce wasn't faking it. Can anyone here read?
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da next ray allen June 09, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
hell no paul pierce didnt fake you guys are just hating on the celtics cause there up 2-0
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DA NEXT RAY ALLEN June 09, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
LAKERS SUCK THEY CANT HIT THREES TO SAVE THEIR LIVES BOSTON RULES GO BOSTON
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THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR June 10, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
HELL YEAH HE WAS FAKING IT.....IT WAS SO OBVIOUS.
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Angry NBA Fan June 10, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
HE'S JUST AS FAKE AS THIS YEARS FINALS........THIS SHIT LOOK SO RIGGED-UP.
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neutral June 11, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
everyone get a life...
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a guest June 13, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
hell ya he faked it. he did it to get the refs on his side. notice how the ref saw pierce fall and then called a foul on the lakers thirty seconds later. does that make sense to u? and I'd like to talk to the boston trainers and staff and ask them about that 3 minute cure for a sprained knee and how someone could come sprain their knee and then come back and score ten straight points. he faked and u all kno it. this injury thing is stupid. its bs and u kno it
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LA.ALL.DAY. June 13, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
THIS IS SO RIGGED. PAUL PIERCE SHOULD WIN A DAMN OSCAR FOR THAT.
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lil flip June 13, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
Pierce faked it
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a guest June 14, 2008
Did Pierce Fake It?
have none of you watched karate kid? same difference.
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