Paul Pierce chat transcript

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/chat/1999/basketball/pierce071499.htm

--

Question: Paul, is it true you and Ray Mercer had some problems playing 
together? 

Paul Pierce: We are both hard working and great competitors and we hate to 
lose. 

Question: Who is the toughest person you have ever played against? 

Paul Pierce: Grant Hill is the toughest guy I played against this year. 
I really felt for a while that I couldn't stop him. 

Question: Paul, did the motion offense at Kansas help you use screens so 
well and develop into such a good "catch and shoot player?" 

Paul Pierce: Coach Williams helped me develop a lot of fundamentals that 
I didn't have when I first got to Kansas. Playing with great players 
like Jacques Vaughn helped me get ready for the NBA. 

Question: Paul, you are originally from Los Angeles, what interested you 
about KU? 

Paul Pierce: I wanted to try someplace away from home and I wanted a great 
basketball tradition. As soon as I saw a game at Kansas I knew I wanted to 
play there. But I'm still a UCLA fan at heart. 

Question: Paul, what do you think the Celtics are missing in order to make 
the playoffs and go deep in them? 

Paul Pierce: We have a lack of experience. Our starters were really young. 
If we can stay together and grow as a team we'll be a good playoff team. 
I think we'll be in the playoffs next year. 

Question: Why are Kansas products labeled as failures in the NBA? 

Paul Pierce: I've never heard that label before. I don't think it's true. 
Raef was having a great rookie year before he got hurt. It's an adjustment 
coming to the NBA. We're all stars in college and not all of us can be 
superstars in the NBA. It takes role players too. 

Question: Paul, is there any favoritism of the former Kentucky players on 
the Celtics? 

Paul Pierce: That's not a problem at all. If so, they would have traded me 
for Jamal Mashburn. Those guys are great guys, very talented, and Coach 
Pitino gets them in practice as much as he gets the rest of us. 

Question: How would you summarize your overall performance during your 
rookie season in the NBA? 

Paul Pierce: I'd grade myself with a B. I started well then got hurt and 
probably came back too fast. 

Question: What are your goals for next season? 

Paul Pierce: I want to play 82 games next year I want to make the playoffs. 

Question: How does it feel to have Rick Pitino and Red Auerbach say you are 
"untouchable" when other teams call? 

Paul Pierce: It feels great. I want to be a Celtic. I don't want to be one 
of those guys who's there for four years and leaves. I want to bring more 
championships to the Celtics for many years. 

Question: Hello Paul, what's it like having Antoine Walker and Ron Mercer as 
teammates with the Celtics? 

Paul Pierce: Those guys are great on the court and off. I've learned so much 
from them about how they carry themselves how they work hard. We played 
against each other growing up and we hit off as soon as we got on the 
same team. 

Question: Is the officiating slanted against rookies? 

Paul Pierce: I don't know. There are some games when I feel like the game 
is called against rookies. But the refs are the best in the NBA and if 
they blow one, they'll let you know if they blow a call. But I think some 
of the superstars do get some of the calls. 

Question: Paul, how did you prepare for the longer 3-point shot in the NBA? 

Paul Pierce: Since I was young I felt like a good shooter but at Kansas I 
didn't have to. So when I got to the NBA, I think some people were surprised 
because I got to shoot the ball from the outside. In college, I was quick 
enough to go to the hoop, but in the NBA I need to shoot more too. 

Question: Paul, how does it feel going competing against the best players 
in the world in the NBA? 

Paul Pierce: I enjoy playing against the best. Guys like Grant Hill because 
it's a test of how good I can be and I've admired these guys for a long time. 

Question: Paul, is Kenny Anderson the leader on the floor for the Celtics? 

Paul Pierce: Kenny is the floor leader most of the time, our point guard 
has to be. And that was Kenny before he got hurt. Point is so tough because 
everybody wants the ball all the time. 

Question: Paul, do you see any chance of your moving to the two spot and 
would you welcome that? 

Paul Pierce: I'll play where ever coach puts me. I just want to help my 
team win and I want to be out there so if it's the 2-guard, that's fine. 

Question: What team do you think are up and coming? 

Paul Pierce: I already answered that I think the Celtics are an up and 
coming team. 

Question: Paul, have you spoken with Raef lately, and how is the rehab going? 

Paul Pierce: I haven't spoken to Raef for about a month, but he was way ahead 
of himself on his rehab. He is itching to play and I can't wait to see him 
for a full season. He's going to impress some teams. 

Question: Paul, is Tim Duncan regarded as the best player in the NBA by your 
fellow players? 

Paul Pierce: I don't know all the players but I think Tim Duncan is the best 
right now. He's dominant now and it's only his second year. I watch him and 
try to get some of his moves into my game. 

Paul Pierce: Thanks everyone for coming. I hopes we can do this again 
sometime. I will try to answer the rest of the questions next time.