AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Unlike many players of this generation, Paul Pierce [stats] is a student of the game’s history. He is able to summon a perspective that can only come from knowing where he and the NBA have been.

And so it was that as he walked off the floor of The Palace last night, 789 games in a Celtics [team stats] uniform washed over him. The ill-fated run to the conference finals in 2002. The 24 wins of a year ago. The thoughts about leaving the team. The decision to sign a contract extension and stay.