Mickael Pietrus: The French Connection

Aah, leave it to the French to worm their way into the American consciousness. 

Through the annals of American history the French have played a part in America's development. They gave us the Statue of Liberty.  We bargained with Napoleon with that famed Louisiana Purchase. The Parisian runways decide what is in American fashion.

Remember the little french man 'LeBeau' in Hogan's Heroes?  He always had what Colonel Hogan needed.  Then there was inspector Clouseau, that lovable detective in The Pink Panther.  Somehow he always got his man in-spite of his bumbling efforts. Tattoo from Fantasy Island who was the energetic sidekick of the islands host.

Of course, Monsieur Tony Parker (a.k.a Mr. Eva Longoria) another little frenchman won the heart of the hottest babe on Desperate Housewives, and has won three NBA championships.

Now we have Mickael Pietrus.  Pietrus was the 11th pick in the 2003 draft and at the time it wasn't seen as headline breaking news. Davis West, Kendrick Perkins, Leandro Barbosa and Josh Howard were the only players chosen after him who have had much success until now. And off course the "The anointed one" arrived in Cleveland.

After his rookie contract was up Golden state did not want to pay him even though he showed steady improvement.  Pietrus ended up signing with the Magic who envisioned him as a defensive stopper for the top small forwards in the East.

His regular season was marred with injuries and rookie Courtney Lee showed he had talent.  Because of this when Pietrus recovered Van Gundy was reluctant to upset team chemistry.

He became Orlando's sixth man.  Pietrus didn't complain he simply did what was asked and as a result is on the court in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

The semis and finals of the Eastern Conference Pietrus has seen him combine the energy of tattoo and the resourcefulness of Inspector Clouseau to defend the likes of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and LeBron James. 

Pietrus knows he cannot stop them he only hopes to contain them.  He does this by moving his feet, bodying up on them and scoring.  He may not score as much as these stars but he is averaging 13 PPG in the conference finals. 

His teammates call him "Air France".  At 6'6'', and 219 pounds he still has enough strength to make it difficult for LeBron. His defensive techniques have not prevented James from getting his points, but James sure feels Pietrus when he shoots them.

Pietrus has taken off and make Orlando Magic Fans believe that this "French Connection" is one of the keys to help them win a championship.