Thursday night, Pierce was all business in leading the Celtics to victory in Dallas. About 12 hours later, he was in a hotel in downtown Phoenix, acting as much like a fan as a celebrity.
This is Pierce's seventh All-Star appearance and, like teammates Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, he has a veteran's perspective.
"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."
If Pierce's Celtic experience is fun and games, then this weekend is just fun. The next time Pierce confronts the rest of his fellow All-Stars, they will not be trying to make each other smile.
"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."
This is Pierce's first All-Star Game as an NBA champion. Before defeating the Lakers in last year's Finals, Pierce was an anomaly - a perennial Celtics All-Star who hadn't won a title.
