Celtics captain Paul Pierce says the report made yesterday that he would be open to a trade to a different team was not the whole story.  Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald gave Pierce a chance to say the whole story.

Pierce said, ?I said everything in there, but not everything I said got put in, I also said I wanted to stay with the Celtics my whole career. I was asked if I would be open to a trade if the Celtics approach me. I just said as a businessman you have to. I have no choice if they come to me. But I?m not going to them."

Paul Pierce went on to say,  ?If I?m approached with it, of course I?m going to be open. I mean, it?s a business. If the Celtics come to me. . . . but it?s not a situation where I?m going to go to the Celtics. I love being here. I?ve been here my whole career, and I told y?all before, if I could stay with one team my entire career that?s what I would want to do.?

Pierce says he had to remain realistic, with the Celtics losing seven of their last nine games.  ?What you?ve got to understand is I?m frustrated with losing just like everybody else. But I came into this season with the mindset that maybe we might be a young, growing team with our inconsistencies. I didn?t expect us to be at this record, but I expected the inconsistencies from a young and growing team. We have a lot of young and new players that are still trying to find their niche in the league.?

Celtics coach Doc Rivers had this to say, "?I think Paul wants to be a Celtic, I think he wants to stay here."  

Paul Pierce and the green are coming off a win against Atlanta last night 98-94.  The Celtics next play January 13th against Philadelphia.