Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Washington Wizards guard DeShawn Stevenson have each been fined $25,000 for making menacing gestures during games played this weekend, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.
The incident involving Pierce occurred in the fourth period of the Celtics’ 102-93 Game 3 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on April 26. The incident involving Stevenson occurred in the first period of the Wizards’ 100-97 Game 4 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on April 27.
There's been a great deal of speculation that the gesture that Pierce was making towards the Hawks players was a gang sign. I couldn't tell you what it was or what Paul's intention was, but the at the very least I think it is hard to argue with the fact that it was a "menacing" gesture. Let's hope this was a heat of the moment reaction and not an indication of immaturity creeping back into Paul's demeanor.