"Paul Pierce moved around the various stations at Celtics media day with an ease befitting his veteran status. This was, after all, his 14th such rodeo.

"Is it 14?" Pierce said yesterday. "Wow .?.?.

"How old was Bird when he retired?" the 34-year-old team captain asked.

Larry Bird retired at the age of 35 after 13 seasons.

"At least," said Pierce, "I passed Bird in one record, more media days, huh?"

Even in his second lockout-shortened season, Pierce should pass Larry on the Celtics' all-time scoring list. At 21,410, he trails Bird by 381 points for second position, with John Havlicek — he of 16 Celtics seasons — atop the list at 26,395.

For now, Pierce's career goals are at closer range."