By 617

Note: This is a fan editorial, written after Game 2.

A great Celtic, you may have heard of him, his name is Larry something, once said this about The Truth:

''You know what I can't believe about Pierce? Every time I watch him play, he's hitting every one of his shots. But then, when it's over, you look and he's shooting 40 percent. I am always so surprised when that happens. Forty percent is so bad. It's horrible.

''But as I'm watching, I don't ever remember the misses. Maybe it's because he plays so hard.''

It's funny, I remember watching games and then saying wow, Pierce must have shot near 60% today, he was on fire. Then I see his stats and he shot 43%. So what' the point of all this? The point is that what makes Paul Pierce great is that you only remember his greatness. I call it the Muhammad Ali effect, no one remembers him being slaughtered in his late career. all they remember is his victories.

In game one, Paul Pierce dropped a sick 31 points, 11 boards, 3 blocks, 4 steals, and 3 dimes. this being in his very first playoff game. He slaughtered the 76ers, shooting of screens, pulling his patented spin move and slithering through the lane like a slippery eel, shaking off anyone who touches. No one will remember than he only shot 40%. Philly can't handle The Truth. It's that simple. They are not the same 76ers that won the East last year. Allen Iverson is not the MVP, Aaron Mckie isn't the best bench player in the league, Mt. Motumbo isn't the best defensive player in the league, and Derrick Coleman is still one of those guys who "could have been". Philly is not the best team in the East anymore. They can not compete with a young, fast, talented Boston team who mixed in a few solid veterans with a mid season trade.

So, to steal a line, if I were Philly, I'd find a church and prey. Prey for a freak accident keeping Pierce out for the next 10 days, because Philly can not handle The Truth.