The captain, who missed three games last week with a hand injury, made it clear to WEEI.com on Wednesday that he has no patience for his team's lackluster play of late.
"I don't have that mindset [that the team is bored]," Pierce said. "If some players feel that way, then I think it's shame on them."
Prior to Saturday's embarrassing home loss to New Jersey, center Kendrick Perkins indicated that the roster is struggling from boredom and the veterans — such as Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen — can't wait for the playoffs to begin.
But Pierce has no patience for the idea that his team is falling flat because of a lack of a playoff-type atmosphere. Instead, he feels that this is precisely when the team should be thriving.
"That's what the regular season is about, is building for the playoffs," he said. "We haven't been a team that has proved we coast during the season and turn it on in the playoffs. There's no excuses. This is the build-up for the playoffs. You have to start playing well now."
