CHARLOTTE, N.C. - On the off chance you've been too caught up in Tom Brady's quarterback rating lately, the answer to your question is, ``No.''

That is not a misprint in the NBA standings. The Celtics are, indeed, in first place in the Atlantic Division this morning.

Paul Pierce went for 30 points in a 106-97 win over the Charlotte Hornets last night to move the Celts to 14-7 and into a tie with New Jersey, which was idle.

It may only be Dec. 16 on the calendar, but this is the latest the C's have been atop the division since the final day of the 1991-92 season - an ancient time when some dude named Bird was playing.