Embrace the Hatred

Pierce’s idea of a fun night is going clubbing and getting stabbed. Good times!
-Ted Green, L.A. Times

Most Celtics fans around the country spent their Memorial Day in outrage over the words written by the Times' Ted Green. Controversial and arrogant, Green’s words hit home to so many people that the Times removed that segment from its site.

Green was on The Planet Mikey show last night and half-apologized for writing that part, but did state that fans have to love the mutual hatred of the two cities and the passion of the fans.

Ted Green has been getting ripped for writing what he did, but he should be defended. Was using Pierce’s stabbing a fair way to take a shot at the player? No, absolutely not. But give Green a pat on the back for doing what most journalists shy away from: honest and passionate opinions that tell us how they really feel. Most teams and media outlets have so many business ties with each other that the team’s coverage is watered down and always positively framed.

Ted Green hates the Celtics and told us why. Good for him. Nobody has to agree with it if they don’t feel like it. Plenty of Celtics fans hate the Lakers. Does it mean Kobe rape jokes should be made? Should people talk about Artest’s insanity, or Odom’s lousy marriage choices? Not necessarily, but at least Green had the manhood and guts to write how he felt. The first amendment allows it, so let it be.

It is easy to see why Laker fans hate Pierce and the Celtics. For the same reasons people in Boston have bashed Dwayne Wade (the wheel chair, the flopping, getting all of the calls), people hate Pierce. People hate Pierce for the same reason Celtics fans hate Kobe: he’s really good. Hall of fame good.

It’s great for the game. The message from Green and other journalists with the jewels to say it: embrace the hatred, the jealousy, and the blood bath that is about to occur. Enjoy the rivalry – not too many exist anymore.

Green shouldn’t use Pierce’s stabbing as something to laugh about it, but he should be allowed to open up the flood gates.

JMO