BOSTON -- After Friday's loss to the Phoenix Suns, Celtics captain Paul Pierce addressed the recent speculation about whether Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge would trade a member of the Big Three if Boston is unable to turn around its 2011-12 season. Here's a transcript of the Q&A with reporters:
Q: There’s been talks about what might happen if team doesn’t turn things around. Does that affect you guys?
Pierce: "No, you can’t pay attention to that. It’s part of the business. You just have to continue to do your job, as a professional, each and every night. And that’s about it."
Q: Does it make you want to turn it around to keep the core together?
Pierce: "What makes me want to play well is our record. That’s more than anything. I don’t really read the papers, I don’t really monitor everything that’s been said. I’m just more concerned about this group, what goes on in this locker room and with my teammates."
Q: Is there a high level of concern at this point?
Pierce: "What did I say just now?" (laughs) "I didn’t say I was concerned. I said I’m just concerned with the boys in this room."
Q: Any talks with coach Doc Rivers or Ainge about where you guys are at?
Pierce: "No, they understand. You know what the Celtics have done for me over my career, I’m more than happy. They kept me this long and I’ve been able to play in a lot of good situations. You gotta understand the business."
Q: You’ve been down this road before.
Pierce: "It’s been a while since I’ve been down that road. But I don’t think about it actually."
Q: You’ve said you want to retire as a Celtics, do you still feel that way?
Pierce: "Of course, I feel that way. Yeah."