The league announced its All-NBA teams yesterday, and despite averaging 25.9 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists during the season, Paul Pierce said he was surprised to be included among the honorees. Pierce was named to the third team as a forward, joining New Orleans's Jamal Mashburn, Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, Phoenix's Stephon Marbury, and Dallas's Steve Nash.

''I'm a little surprised actually because I didn't think I had that type of year,'' said Pierce. ''But it's always an honor to be recognized as one of the best players in the league.''

It was the second consecutive season Pierce was named to the third team, marking the first time since Larry Bird in 1987-88 that a Celtic was named to All-NBA teams in consecutive seasons.