Pierce to replace Kobe?

[Eggcentric@xxxxxxx]

PIERCE IS NOT OUT YET
Finals Notebook/by Steve Bulpett 
Thursday, June 12, 2003

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Paul Pierce is back in the running for the U.S. 
national team now that Kobe Bryant's sore shoulder might require surgery 
and keep him from this summer's Olympic qualifying.

USA Basketball senior men's chair (and NBA vice president) Stu Jackson 
said the door might soon be open for the Celtics co-captain, who was on 
the U.S. club for last year's World Championships.

``We don't definitely know that Kobe is going to be out of the qualifying 
tournament, but I'm certain that if he is, Paul would be someone that 
would receive strong consideration to replace him.''

Pierce was hoping to be on the club that will advance to the 2004 
Olympics in Athens if it is successful this summer. The combination of 
high-profile players stepping in and the disappointing performance at the 
Worlds, however, kept him off. Pierce was targeted for much of the blame 
for that team's failure, but Jackson has remained in his corner.

``I've always been a Paul Pierce fan,'' Jackson said. ``I think he's one of 
the 
best players in our game today, and I'm positive that he's going to be one 
of the first people we consider if there's an opening on the . . . team.

``We won't know for sure there's an opening until Kobe tells us he can't 
play, but it's looking like that right now.''

Celtics coach Jim O'Brien has stated mixed feelings in the past about 
Pierce being on the team, understanding the honor of playing for the 
country while hoping his star gets rest.

With regard to Pierce's candidacy should Bryant back out, O'Brien said: 
``I have no feel for that whatsoever. But any time there's an opening on an 
international team, if they don't seriously consider Paul Pierce I don't 
think they're being diligent enough.''

Pierce, by the way, will be the subject of Fox Sports Net's ``Beyond the 
Glory.'' The program will premiere this Sunday at 8 p.m., and word is it's 
heavy on the Celtics legacy as well as the irony of Pierce being known as 
``The Truth'' but not knowing the truth about his stabbing.

Gang that can't shoot straight
The Spurs threatened some horrid history in their 77-76 loss to the Nets 
last night. Their .289 shooting from the floor was third worst ever in the 
NBA Finals, undercut only by Syracuse's .275 and Fort Wayne's .280 in 
their April 7, 1955, battle. . . . The Nets tied the Finals record for blocks 
with 13, joining six other clubs. . . . Arizona forward Luke Walton worked 
out for the Celts yesterday, then came here to see his dad, Bill, who was 
working Game 4 for ABC. ``Tears of Celtic pride are streaming down my 
cheeks,'' said Bill. ``I just want what's best for my son, and Luke knows 
first hand how special it is to be a Celtic. . . .

The loudest moment of the night came between the third and fourth 
quarters when Scott Stevens led the Devils onto the court with the 
Stanley Cup. Nets forward Kenyon Martin took in the clincher Monday 
night. He's a budding hockey fan, which shouldn't surprise anyone who's 
seen him play.

``I loved it,'' he said. ``I mean, they're out there just hitting each other. 
It's great. I like (Devil defenseman) Scott Stevens. He's rough. I like the 
way they sub, too. They don't stop the game, man.''