No Americans took more criticism for the disappointing USA basketball team that did not win a medal at the 2002 World Championships than Paul Pierce and George Karl.
Pierce was viewed as a selfish player, while Karl coached the first U.S. team that lost with NBA players. Pierce and Karl didn’t always see eye to eye during the embarrassment on American soil in Indianapolis and haven’t talked since.
But despite the divide, the Boston Celtics’ Pierce was involved in offseason trade rumors that could have reunited him with Karl with the Nuggets. While the trade never happened, Karl and Pierce say they would have been able to coexist.
“Every different trade scenario with myself I thought about,” Pierce said in a phone interview. “I thought about possibly being with George Karl. But that’s the way the NBA is. You just never know. It’s a business. Obviously, if there were a team that traded me there they were probably a team that wanted me there. Probably George Karl would have to OK it anyway.
“Even if I did wind up playing with him, we’d have to learn to like each other one way or another. All that stuff is behind me, what happened in Indiana.”
Tonight, Pierce and the Celtics (12-17) play the Nuggets (14-17) at the Pepsi Center. Like Pierce, Karl has moved on from their drama in Indy.
“I’m too old to be personal with things,” Karl said. “That was a nightmare. It was a nightmare for everybody involved. I have not talked to Paul since then. I’m sure there have been things written. But what’s written is not always the truth.
“For me it was a difficult situation. Tempers and frustration showed up sometimes. For me, it’s past. It wasn’t personal. I admire his basketball.”
Pierce also didn’t see eye to eye with Boston coach Doc Rivers last season, which led to many trade rumors. But Pierce said that’s old news, too.
“It’s a lot better,” he said. “We understand each other a little more. We mended the fences before the season and we both understand what we want.”
Pierce’s statistics prove he is one of the top players in the NBA. The four-time all-star entered this season averaging 23 points and 6.5 rebounds in seven seasons. This season, he ranks sixth in points per game (26.2), sixth in free-throw attempts (272), tied for 10th in field-goals made (254) and tied for 14th in defensive rebounds (198).
The former Kansas star was drafted 10th overall by the Celtics in 1998 but isn’t regularly mentioned among the top players or when endorsements are signed.
“It’s always been like that since Day One when I was drafted number 10,” he said. “The players know and the people around the league know, and that’s all that matters. It really doesn’t bother me. I’ve been to four straight All-Star Games.
“I’ve had a lot of success in Boston. As far as the publicity, the commercials and the shoes everywhere, that’s something I’m not even worried about.”
Karl sees Pierce as one of the most underrated players.
“What I’ve always enjoyed about Pierce, he’s an individualist, but he knows how to play team basketball,” he said. “His defense is very good for a kid that scores a lot of points. He can be a defensive presence.
“He’s a triple-double guy. There are very few in basketball that can go out and on any given night go out and get a triple-double.”
The Celtics are a struggling young team and Pierce’s stock hasn’t been higher. But he is hopeful that he remains in Boston the rest of his career.
“This team is going to have to make some decisions,” he said. “Would I like to (stay)? Of course. I don’t want to bounce around the league and play in three or four different situations. If I can stay with one team my whole career, it would be great.”
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
