WALTHAM, Mass. — As Paul Pierce sat and watched the big names jump into the race for Eastern Conference supremacy last week, he knew the game was on.

"You see Cleveland get Shaq (O'Neal) and Orlando get Vince (Carter) and you say 'Wow, we have to do something,' '' Pierce said yesterday at the Pierce Skills Academy at Brandeis University.

Pierce's Celtics have yet to trump either the Cavs or Magic, their two chief rivals in the East. The Celts were quiet on draft night, using their second-round pick (58th overall) to grab guard Lester Hudson. They did get some good news Tuesday when Eddie House decided to remain with the team instead of becoming a free agent.

But Danny Ainge resisted the urge to shake up his team and instead is focusing on adding a bit of depth to what remains a championship contender.

"I feel like we haven't been knocked off yet," said Pierce. "There are many ways to improve a team and the key for us is getting healthy. We could use some depth, too, but we like our starting five and feel we're one of the best teams around."

Pierce was asked if he thought Ainge was dangling point guard Rajon Rondo as trade bait, as some media outlets reported. Pierce was the subject of similar erroneous reports earlier in his career.

"Rondo's not going anywhere," he said with a smile. "That's the fun part about the summer. Rondo's going to be a good player in this league."

Pierce went on to add that Rondo's personality can be taken the wrong way.

"Rondo's biggest weakness is his greatest strength. He's a competitor. He helps you win games," he said.

With House back in the fold, the Celtics will now wait and see if forward Glen Davis receives offers from other teams. The Celts are due to pay Davis about $710,000 next year, but as a restricted free agent he can move elsewhere. The Celtics would have seven days to match any offer Davis receives.

kmcnamar@projo.com