Nothing can stop The Truth (not even Perkins)

"Deflated" isn't a strong-enough word to describe my mood upon seeing our captain crumple into camera row after big Perk landed on his foot during the third quarter when attempting to block a shot.

After reading story (boston.com) upon story (telegram.com) applauding Pierce for sticking with this team and finally being rewarded with a chance to play in the Finals, it seemed as though that chance was going to be ripped away before he even had an opportunity to complete a single game in the series ... He had just caught on fire, too, scoring eight straight points in like a minute and a half (including a four-point play that was correctly called, imagine that!), but that elation quickly morphed into devastation as he needed the help of his teammates - and a wheelchair - in order to get to the locker room.

However, the bad times didn't last long, as Pierce almost immediately returned to the game - to the roar of the crowd - and knocked down consecutive three-point baskets as the C's were eventually able to secure a Game One victory, 98 to 88 (sports.yahoo.com); one down, three to go!

Of course, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Celtics fans can look upon this as a game-altering recovery from injury, while followers of the Purple and Gold will so easily dismiss it as shenanigans (latimes.com):

He lay in a heap on the parquet floor, visibly weeping into the silk-suited sleeve of his doctor.

He was pushed in a wheelchair down a narrow back hallway, head down, season over.

Paul Pierce, the Boston Celtics captain, was carried from the opening game of the NBA Finals in the third quarter Thursday with an apparent serious knee injury that momentarily deadened and distracted the Lakers.

At which point, Pierce came running back to finish them off.

To nearly 50 years of delicious Celtics-Lakers lore, add a new apparent bit of chicanery.

Call it the Fake N'Shake.

The Celtics won Game 1, 98-88, on the momentum of a recovery that smacked more of professional wrestling than professional basketball.

When Pierce crumpled on the floor after being apparently faked out of his kneecap by Kobe Bryant with 6:52 left in the third quarter, the Lakers led by four points.

When he returned after just 1:45 had ticked off the game clock, the Celtics led by one.

The "Rocky" theme played. The crowd roared. Pierce hobbled out with drama dripping from every step.

He was so hurt, he immediately began sprinting around the stunned Lakers defenders.

He was in such pain, he hit consecutive three pointers late in the period that gave the Celtics the lead for good.

At which point, a Lakers season filled with colorful adjectives had been reduced to one word.

C'mon!

Afterward, Pierce played the part of the resurrected hero, shaking his head at the wonder of it all.

"You know, I think God sent this angel down and said, 'Hey, you're going to be all right, you need to get back out there, show them what you've got,' " he said.

The Lakers, meanwhile, were just shaking their heads, period.

"You know, you don't know what happens," Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said of Pierce. "Guys can break a shoelace and go out, the pants break down, a drawstring falls apart."

Whatever you say, Bill Plaschke, let me just bring up one point ... On SportsCenter this morning, Stuart Scott asked Laker legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson point-blank if Paul's return to the court was a "Willis Reed-esque moment" (en.wikipedia.org). Magic's one-word response? "Absolutely."