Boston Celtics: Where Would Paul Pierce Rank in Team Lore with Another Title?

Over the span of his 13-year career with the Celtics, Paul Pierce has posted the numbers to warrant himself consideration as one of the franchise's all-time greats. His status among the highest level of C's greats was enhanced significantly with the team's 2007-2008 championship run which culminated in the organization's 17th title and netted him the Finals MVP award.

But if there's anything missing from Pierce's resume, anything that would unequivocally land him in the same category as the Larry Birds and John Havliceks of the world, it's another NBA championship. Or two. 

Pierce's list of credentials is pretty impressive as it currently stands. In addition to the ring and the Finals MVP trophy, he's also made nine All-Star teams and earned one All-NBA second team berth along with three All-NBA third team berths. He was a first-teamer on the league's All-Rookie team in 1998, as well.

Perhaps most important when considering his career accomplishments, he is one of only three in team history, along with Bird and Havlicek, to score 20,000 points wearing only Celtic green. 

The Celtics, as presently constituted, probably saw their best chance to win another title go by the wayside when they fell to the Lakers in seven games back in the summer of 2010. But if they can round up the troops for one more run this season (provided the endless NBA lockout ever mercilessly ceases to exist) and give Pierce another ring, he will move up the ladder of all-time great Celtics.

Pierce will still be one title short of Bird's three (not to mention the fact that even if he matches Bird somehow, neither he nor anyone else will ever approach Bill Russell's 11 or even Havlicek's eight). 

But given his accomplishments up to this point, it's conceivable he could pass several other Boston greats who have won multiple titles but haven't achieved as much.

Pierce, who will undoubtedly see his No. 34 raised to the TD Garden rafters within months of his retirement from the NBA, will never be Russell or Bird or Hondo or Cousy. But with one more championship to add to his already lofty list of achievements, he'll easily be in the next echelon. And that's hardly anything to sneeze at.