A brown suit hung in Paul Pierce's locker.

 

It may not have been a green and white uniform like the ones hanging his teammates' lockers, but it represented his role on the Celtics just the same.

 

On Saturday Pierce addressed the media for the first time regarding his infected right knee, which has sidelined him since Christmas. He revealed that he had actually undergone two surgeries to clean the infection and is currently day-to-day. While he does not have a specific date in mind to return – the veteran is proceeding with caution – he plans to joint the team for its upcoming road trip.

 

After talking to reporters, Pierce donned that suit, took a seat next to the coaches, and joined his teammates on the bench.

 

“Why not?” he said, even though many injured players choose to watch the games from the locker room.

 

This attitude could not have been more fitting for Pierce. Whether he was in a jersey and shorts or a shirt and tie, he was still the leader of the Celtics. As his teammates revealed to WEEI.com, his presence alone helped them in ways that only a captain can.

 

Ray Allen: “Just having that conversation with him on the bench, just shooting back and forth ideas about things that were going on in the game. He might say something that we need to do because it's a different vantage point from the sidelines. Sometimes they see everything and sometimes they see nothing. Because what I see, you see a little gap and you take it and then you make a pass and it closes up. The coaches don't see anything but a jumble of guys and hands and legs. So it does vary and it's good for him to give that perspective.”

 

Tony Allen: “Oh it was big. He's a motivator. With a guy with that much success individually, you can't do anything but listen to a guy like that who's been in the league over 10 years. So I'm looking at it as like, if you can be on the road with us more, just being around being an extra coach, then it's all good. But we definitely need him back, definitely. … He was just telling me to just stay solid. He told me, get those guys open but stay aggressive. Take what the defense gave me, basic coach stuff. But he's got that offensive mentality, so he was saying take it to the hole when I can, too. … Six years with that guy, he's like a big brother to me. But I'm just waiting for him to come back. I want him to take his time but I'm definitely waiting for him to come back.”

 

Rasheed Wallace: “It gave me the signal that just because he's down and out right now, that he's still part of the team. So that's the things that veteran players do. … It was real good for the younger guys to let them know that the vets still support them. Especially I think it was a good thing for J.R. (Giddens, who got his first NBA start in place of Pierce). Paul just was giving him some tips on how to play (Hedo) Turkoglu at the three-spot, so I think it was real big for the younger guys.”

 

J.R. Giddens: “It was good having 'P' out there because his voice is so well-respected. Just having him in our ear and saying things to us that help us out there because he's out there most of the time getting the minutes. He's been a starter in this league and a dominant player for years so when he has good stuff to say on the bench, it's helpful for everybody. … He told me just to go out there and play with energy, rebound, just go out there and play with confidence.”

 

Glen Davis: “It was great. Him being the captain, showing his face, being around the team, motivating us, it was great. I think that helped us win. Him showing up and being here is huge. So I'm just glad and hopefully he'll come out more often to help us out because that means a lot to our team, just to see his face and be a part of our team. … He was just making sure that I did what I had to do to – box out, play defense, and things like that, making sure that I stayed focus out there. That's important, him being the captain being there means a lot. He could choose not to be here, but he didn't, and I'm thankful for that.”

 

Brian Scalabrine: “I like Paul. It's good when he's out there because little tips like [fighting through a pick] help out big time, and obviously the support he was giving us is obviously something we needed right now. … He's straightforward, he's a straight shooter. He doesn't try to sugarcoat anything. He's just going to tell you the way it is. For me, it's more about the conversations that we have, the tips that he gives us. Having a guy out there, we know we have to perform for our teammates and our coaching staff, but when he gives you a little tip here and there, that's the biggest thing that helps us out the most.”

 

Lester Hudson: “It was great. He came out and showed his face and was there for the team even though he was hurt. He had energy on the bench and got us going. He was just telling me to be ready, go out there and be aggressive, stay focused, and run the team. It was great for us and hopefully we'll have him back soon.”

 

Shelden Williams: “Whether he's playing or not playing, he can see what's going on out there and give out advice or pointers. What you see on the bench is different than what you see in the game. He was right there in the mix of everything. It's something that says a lot about him. He wants to be a part of the game even if he's not playing.”

 

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