Rivers doesn't plan to doctor approach

DENVER -- The definition of terms can be tricky. ''Change" for one executive director of basketball operations can mean the continuing search for the right combinations for one coach. And so it is for the Celtics.

When it comes to change, coach Doc Rivers acknowledged that he sees things differently than executive Danny Ainge, though they remain on the same page in all important matters. In recent comments, Ainge observed that the team may need to make some changes. Certainly in attitude and effort. Possibly in personnel, though he would not let losses on this trip lead him to a rash decision.

According to Rivers, ''everything is about the same" as far as the product on the court, and that is the way he likes it. For last night's 120-110 loss to Denver, that meant Al Jefferson remained in the starting lineup and the rotation was unpredictable as always. The defensive and offensive philosophies did not change.

''I'm not a big believer in going out and shaking your team up," said Rivers before the loss. ''I let Danny worry about that. I coach my guys. If we get different guys, I'll coach them, too. We play young at times, and I'm willing to live with that. It's hard on me because I have to live with it, but I can see progress. And that's all that counts to me.

''I think I'm going to keep playing who I'm playing. I like the guys we're playing.

''I'm a big believer in you don't change all the time. That's a weakness to me. I think you go with what you believe are the right guys and you stick with them."

Aside from the rotation, Rivers has made only three changes to the starting lineup (Kendrick Perkins for Mark Blount, Blount for Raef LaFrentz, Jefferson for Perkins).

''Me and Danny have a great relationship because we can talk," said Rivers. ''I love the fact that he can throw out an idea and I'll say, 'That's b.s.' and he'll say, 'I don't agree with that,' then we can go have a drink, a Coke. He's a big changer. Danny would change every night. I understand that. That's why I listen to him. You still have to have an open mind and hear him. Sometimes some of the stuff he says is good. Some of it is just wacky. But that's Danny. I can live with that."

Don't look back

Bad memories tend to linger, especially when they relate to something as public as the failure of Team USA at the 2002 World Championships. Paul Pierce was a member of the team, and was much maligned by its coach, George Karl, for his allegedly selfish play. When Karl was with Milwaukee, Pierce always liked to have a good game against the Bucks. Karl now coaches the Nuggets, but Pierce said he doesn't worry about showing Karl what he can do. ''It's over and done with for me," said Pierce. But how could Karl not admire what Pierce has done this season? Pierce, who may be playing the best basketball of his career, is averaging 26.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 38.8 minutes per game. He was shooting 49 percent from the floor, 38 percent from 3-point range, and 80 percent from the line. ''I love guys who can be triple-double players," said Karl. ''Paul is one of those guys who on any given night can get a triple-double. The thing that has impressed me is his patience and offensive shot selection. It's, I don't know, about 50 percent better this year. I never thought he'd be a 170 shooter [combination of percentages for field goals, 3-pointers, and free throws]. I'm a big 170 guy. There's only been like seven guys who've done 180. At 160, you're a very good shooter, at 170 you're a great shooter, at 180 you're a special shooter."

You're out!

With about two minutes left in the second quarter, referee Jack Nies asked that a man sitting courtside wearing a Red Sox cap be removed from the arena. ''He was verbally abusive and he was using a lot of profanity," said Nies. ''There were a lot of young children and families sitting in the area, and it wasn't going to stop. When he left, it got very quiet." . . . In a workout before Saturday's game against the Clippers, Tony Allen looked like he had his lift back, according to the assistant coaches who worked him out. Still, no word on when he will return . . . Rivers had no immediate plans to play rookie Gerald Green. ''Things are pretty good the way they are," Rivers said before the game. ''We're not going to change anything."