Pierce: Knicks have something to build on

Paul Pierce started off the year mocking the suggestion that there was a rivalry between the Knicks and the Celtics, but as he left the Garden Sunday, he acknowledged the Knicks as a "team to be reckoned with next year."

"They're not that far away," Pierce said. "They have something they can build on, something fans can get excited about."

Said Doc Rivers: "The addition of Carmelo [Anthony] was a huge addition for them. They're just going to be able to keep building. You've got to get pieces first. Having [Amar'e] Stoudemire and Carmelo, those are two great pieces to have."

Rivers called embattled Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni "one of the best coaches in this game" and perhaps can relate somewhat to his situation. Rivers almost was run out of Boston before Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen arrived in 2007. Coincidentally, Rivers, who might take a year off from coaching after this season, is at the top of many fans' wish lists to replace D'Antoni.

Throw Rondo to Wolves?

D'Antoni isn't all that impressed with the success Rajon Rondo has had playing with the Celtics' Big Three. "Well, I'd like to see him play in Minnesota and see how he does," D'Antoni joked before Game 4. He recovered quickly by saying, "Rondo's a very, very good basketball player, really good," but his point clearly was that his effectiveness is aided by the three future Hall of Famers catching his passes.

Asked to respond to D'Antoni's quip, Pierce shook his head in disgust. "I'm not answering that," he said.

Kemba in the house

UConn star Kemba Walker sat courtside with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Walker said during the Big East Tournament that he wants to be Anthony's teammate on the Knicks, but it's doubtful that he'll last long enough in the draft. The Knicks have the 17th pick.