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.