With the Patriots having recently concluded their unsuccessful title defense and with the Red Sox continuing to steal headlines, it’s sometimes easy to forget about the Boston sports teams actually playing games right now.

The Bruins are making a bit of a playoff run since we last mentioned them in this space. But since we’ve yet to post anything specific on the boys in green, I figured it might be time to focus a bit on the Celtics.

February 23rd marks the NBA’s trading deadline and an important crossroads for the franchise. Danny Ainge has a golden opportunity to clear valuable salary cap space and also some deadwood from the roster. All indications are Mark Blount and his contract will be gone by that date, if not earlier. With Delonte West and Orien Greene developing nicely at the point, Marcus Banks appears headed for a future outside of Boston. If only we could find someone to take nice guy Raef Lafrentz’ salary off the books, a lot of our prayers will be answered.

But there’s one potential trade Ainge should think twice about making; any deal involving Paul Pierce that doesn’t net a legitimate superstar or franchise player in return.

I’ve already heard some objections from reader Philly Cheesesteaks about ranking "The Truth" in my top ten of all NBA players. I stand behind those remarks, and thank you Legend Killer for digging up some numbers to help prove my case.

The test I use in determining if he ranks in the Top-10, or Top-15, or Top-whatever you want to rank him in is this; taking age into account along with the production, would you trade so-and-so for Pierce straight up?

In the cases of players like Jason Kidd, Andrei Kirilenko, and Vince Carter, I’ll bet those teams’ GM’s jump at the opportunity. As for Manu Ginobili, Chauncey Billups, Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace and Dwayne Wade, put any one of those guys on the Celtics instead of alongside Shaq, Tim Duncan or the team framework of the Pistons, and I guarantee you get nothing resembling Pierce’s production in a green uniform.

T-Mac? Flip a coin, but it’s not like he’s elevated the Rockets to another level, much like he failed in Orlando. Allen Iverson? Whether the smallish “Answer’s� physique can take much more pounding is a gigantic question mark. And exactly which NBA player has flourished playing alongside Mister Practice?

A bit of a disclaimer here; I don’t think there’s a Celtics fan who wanted Paul Pierce out of town more than I did after the disgraceful performance in Game-6 of last year’s playoffs against Indiana. I thought Pierce to be selfish, pouty, and a bad influence on all the youngsters dotting the C’s roster. I would have taken most of the guys on “Philly Cheesesteak’s� list in a heartbeat if a trade were offered over last summer.

But he’s changed both his personality and his game. A look at the stats shows the makings of a career year, and not just scoring-wise. Pierce has become more of a team player, willing to work within the flow of the offense to get others involved. The transformation has led to a career-high not only in scoring, but in shooting percentage as well. In the locker room, the Captain has looked more at ease, and is even lobbying for more playing time for Al Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins late in close games, a sign that he understands the long-term goal is more important than a couple of extra wins in 2006 and a first round playoff exit.

Remember, it was Shaq himself who dubbed Pierce "The Truth" and only recently, Kevin Garnett called him "the best in the business" when it comes to 4th quarter shots. I'd say those are two guys who know a thing or two about the NBA.

So with all that in mind, trading Pierce unless he asks out or unless you get a “Godfather� offer too good to refuse would be a huge step backward for the Celtics. You can spend years looking for free agents or draft picks that you hope develop into the kind of player #34 has become. Why on earth would you unload that type of player if you already have him and he’s still in the early prime of his career?

Hope Danny Ainge is listening!