BOSTON - The international media has descended on Boston for the Finals. Chinese cameramen were seemingly everywhere, a Brazilian reporter asked Paul Pierce about soccer, and an Italian asked Kobe Bryant a question in his native language that the bilingual Bryant answered flawlessly.

One of the common questions concerned the lack of a championship among Boston’s three stars — Kevin Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen — or its coach, Doc Rivers. Bryant has won three titles and Lakers coach Phil Jackson owns nine rings. Does a player have to win a title to validate their career?

“I think it helps,” said Garnett. “Any player who’s been above-average, if not excellent, in this league it does help to have a championship on your resumé. It definitely doesn’t hurt.”

Rivers did not win a championship in his 13-year NBA career and he says great players who don’t win titles get a bad rap.

“They’re viewed differently. I never think they should be,” he said. “Patrick Ewing is one of the greatest centers to ever play the game, ever, whether he won a title or not. He shouldn’t be faulted. He had teammates like me. That clearly didn’t help his case. But really, Patrick, he’s one of the greatest of all time.”

kmcnamar@projo.com