ORLANDO, Fla. — Mickael Pietrus’ title as the “X-Factor” in the Eastern Conference finals didn’t come from all the X-rays the Magic forward has had this season.
But it easily could be.
Pietrus broke his right wrist, sprained it, tore a ligament in his right thumb, missed time with bruised ribs and is still playing with pain in the shooting hand that hasn’t healed — maybe never will.
“An injury doesn’t bother me, as long as I’m not dead,” Pietrus said Monday. “My philosophy is today you’re here, tomorrow you might not be.”
The Magic’s biggest offseason acquisition had been mostly a bust, a seldom-used reserve constantly out with injuries. The forward from the French island Guadeloupe who has incredible athleticism when healthy earned him the nickname “Air France,” but most just call him “M.P.” Now he has new titles.
The sometimes-softspoken, sometimes-eccentric Pietrus has been swatting LeBron James’ shots and swishing enough 3-pointers to give Cleveland fits.
“Their wild card is Pietrus,” Cavs guard Mo Williams said. “He’s the X-Factor. It has been like that all three games.”
It’s a surprise few expected.
Pietrus had 16 points in Game 3, outscoring the entire Cleveland bench (eight points). He also grabbed six rebounds, had two steals and a block in his ninth double-digit scoring game of the playoffs.
After missing 28 games this season, Pietrus is averaging 13 points in the series, including a few highlight rejections on James that are rare for anyone. The Magic lead the Cavs 2-1, and Game 4 is tonight in Orlando.
All that agony seems like a thing of the past.
Although Pietrus isn’t outspoken publicly, teammate Dwight Howard insists it’s all an act.
“He’s not softspoken,” Howard said. “He might not talk in front of the media. But Mike is the life of the party.”
While no one has been able to stop James, Pietrus has been able to contain him more than anyone for the Magic.
Hence, the new nickname.
