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It is standard procedure, right after the de rigeur X-Ray that never shows anything (because NBA players rarely break knees, or literal ankles, in game action). It's an MRI, it takes no time at all, the results are usually quite conclusive, and it can tell Paul Pierce whether or not he as a ligament tear in his knee.

I don't doubt Pierce, or the Boston Celtics, when they say that a strained meniscus is the diagnosis. I don't doubt that he's ready to play, tough enough to play, and that ice, anti-inflammatory medicine, and treatment are enough to worm him back into playing shape.

But I am dubious as to why the Celtics, and Pierce, haven't undergone an MRI - just in case.

It doesn't make things worse, it's quite easy to accomplish once the swelling of a major tear goes down (Pierce has copped to some swelling, but not a lot, so he should be more than available for the procedure), and would seem to go part and parcel with, you know, A MAJOR NBA STAR SEEING HIS KNEE BUCKLE ON HIM WHILST ON NATIONAL NETWORK TV IN PRIME TIME.

I'm not seeing black helicopters, I promise. Had Pierce torn an ACL, the swelling would be more than he could capably worm out of bed with on Friday morning. What I wonder is if Pierce refused an MRI based off of some fear that the scan - which he has no doubt taken probably a half-dozen times in his NBA career - would reveal a worst-case scenario situation. And that he didn't want to hear the bad news, however unlikely it may be.

It's still an odd thing to read, that a few days after his famous fall down, that the Celtics' eight-figure asset has yet to have an MRI. It just makes next to no sense, especially considering how unobtrusive the procedure is, and how many good things can come of it. The Boston medical staff has to know that a major ligament tear isn't likely, so why not explore further?

Somebody with more than my half-a-brain feel free to put me right in the comments section.

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