“You play with those guys, that’s probably what you’re going to get,’’ Rivers said. “I don’t think he would trade it. He enjoys playing with them. But if there’s a negative side, that would be it: No matter how well you play, the question will be [there]. Someday that’ll be answered, too. I’ve got a feeling he’ll answer them all in the way he’s answered them now.’’

“When he’s playing at the top of his game, we’re tough to beat," Paul Pierce said. “That just shows you how important he is to our team.’’