Oh, Larry Bird was a great player. No one would ever dispute that. But this kid's going to blow by everybody.

Paul Pierce could end up being the best offensive player this team ever had. And I've seen them all.

We think the ex-N.B.A. player vote will be key. That's why we're courting Larry Bird.

I had no clue. Just take one of them out and put them in there.

No one blow is going to be terminal, ... But this is another very serious one. All this does is add to the increasing loss of confidence in our systems.

You can hit it with a hammer, and it absorbs the blow.