Paul Pierce realizes that he's probably on the downside of his career, and is enjoying his time on the Celtics alongside Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.

"This has been a lot of fun, the funnest years of my life," Pierce said. "Knowing that I'm on the downside of my career - I'm not going to play 11 more years - these are the funnest years, right now. All-Star weekend, being on the same team [with Allen and Garnett], I definitely appreciate it. Each and every day I wake up and go to practice and appreciate the fact I can play with two Hall of Famers."

He's also going to relish this weekend's All-Star festivities in Phoenix.

"I enjoy it all," Pierce said. "On the court we are definitely competitive. But we get in here, in this room, and all together, we don't even think about the game. I enjoy being around my peers and enjoy the weekend and being part of the festivities. That's what All-Star is all about, being around the guys, having fun, talking about the game, things off the court, and everybody's family. That's what All-Star break is really about.

"To be here and enjoy it like this - you're in a room, one room, with the top 24 basketball players in the world, the best athletes. It's hard to get that, the best in one room. You appreciate what all the great players bring to the game, and admire that, and there's a level of respect."