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BOSTON -- Phil Jackson never misses a chance to tease a tempting target. Sometimes that tease is a jab to the solar plexus. In others, it is a direct punch to the nose. In the case of Paul Pierce, it seems, Jackson has found a nice little target to mock, jab and punch all at once.
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Jackson was asked if he or his staff had discussed the injuries to the Celtics players, namely of course Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins. It was Pierce who was taken out on a wheelchair after Game 1 -- a fact Jackson couldn't help but sink his teeth into.
"We haven't discussed it at all," Jackson said of his staff, speaking of Boston's hurt players. "We discussed the wheelchair a little bit, but that's the only thing I think that was discussed."
There was a small roar of laughter from the media. When asked to explain further, Jackson said, "First time I think we've ever seen it. I think that was a comment that was made."
Jackson just can't help himself when it comes to Pierce, who looked like he had suffered a D-Day shrapnel wound in Game 1 but was fine, it seemed, for Game 2. Pierce was fabulous scoring 28 points, including connecting on all four of his 3-point tries.
In fact, while Jackson got the chuckle, it is Pierce and the Celtics who got the last laugh on Sunday.
As did Boston's Leon Powe.
Two of the biggest reasons the Celtics won Game 2 was due to Pierce overcoming his knee injury (though the seriousness of his injury has been up for debate) and Powe, a key reserve who is becoming an unsung hero.
Celtics fans chanted "Leon Powe! Leon Powe! Leon Powe!"
Who would have thought you'd ever hear those words shouted from the rafters by Boston fans?
Powe? Powe?
"I was just happy to get in the game and just happy to be a part of this whole experience," said Powe, "because it's been a long journey for me."
Powe came off the bench to score a career postseason-high 21 points in only 14 minutes.
Powe's nickname is "The Show." Combine "The Show" with "The Big Ticket" and you get an interesting Boston mix of stars and role players.
Coming into this series it was thought Los Angeles had the deeper bench. But in these two games, the Celtics appear to have more depth and consistency, at least so far.
Count P.J. Brown as another Celtic reserve who has contributed some nice minutes.
"I can't really explain it," Brown said about being in the postseason. "Three, four months ago I was about as close to being out of this league and shutting the door for good and now I'm in the NBA Finals ... "
Powe and Brown aren't just spectators; they're key contributors. Not even Jackson can laugh at that.
