Rondo Helps Keep'em Together

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Rondo helps keep ’em together



Photo by: Stuart Cahill
Rajon Rondo

Monday, November 25, 2013 PrintEmail Comments (2)
By:  Steve Bulpett, Celtics Notebook



CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Rajon Rondo still isn’t playing, but he is apparently more of a presence around the Celtics than we’ve realized. His right knee may not be ready for action on the way back from ACL surgery, but his vocal cords still work just fine.

A discussion with Jared Sullinger about fear of the Celts falling in separate directions was quickly Rondo’d. The importance of wins like Saturday’s 94-87 comeback in Atlanta in keeping the club together was downplayed by the second-year big man. He doesn’t worry about things turning toxic.

“Not with a guy like Rondo in this locker room,” Sullinger said. “With a guy like Rondo in this locker room, it’s not going to happen.

“He’s been through the one terrible season in Boston, and then all of a sudden it flipped and they won the championship. A guy like Rondo has been through it all and he understands that we have to stay together for us to win.”

Indeed, Rondo was a rookie in 2006-07 when the Celts stumbled to a 24-58 mark in Doc Rivers’ third year on the bench. That netted the C’s the fifth pick in the draft, which they turned into Ray Allen, whose presence helped convince Kevin Garnett to accept a trade to Boston.

Rondo saw the process and how quickly things can change. And he appears to be very much invested in the current rebuilding.

“He’s been very vocal,” Sullinger said. “He’s just telling guys it’s a long season. Time will tell.

“As long as we stay together, we can win basketball games. But as soon as somebody splinters off, another’s going to splinter off and then another’s going to splinter off. Then all of a sudden we’re not going to have a team. We’re going to have 14 guys who are individuals.

“Rondo’s been on us about this like every day. This is the same thing he did last year before he got hurt — and even after he got hurt he still stepped up and still helped out. Rondo’s a special basketball player. Honestly I see a future for him being a coach because he sees everything out there.”

What may be more important here is the evidence that Rondo is accepting the responsibility that comes with being the best player on a team.

“When you’re the best player, everything kind of falls back on you,” Sullinger said. “He understands that.

“The rehab he’s doing, I mean, he’s nonstop. It’s every day. He’s trying to get back on the court. He’s working really, really hard. He knows the responsibilities he has.”

Vitor in victory

With Kelly Olynyk back in Boston with a sprained right ankle, Brandon Bass was back in the starting lineup and Kris Humphries was the first big man off the bench. The latter did well with two points and eight rebounds in 16:30, but Vitor Faverani really stepped up with 11 points (4-of-6 shooting) and five boards in 14 minutes.

“It was good to see Vitor kind of get back at it,” coach Brad Stevens said. “He went through a stretch where he didn’t play as well and his opportunities weren’t as much, and now you lose a little confidence. So it’s good to see him get back.”

They meet again

The Celtics took yesterday off after four games in five nights in four cities. They get another shot tonight at the Bobcats, who took them down, 89-83, at the Garden 12 days ago.

“The team that we’re playing on Monday beat us at home, and they’re playing outstanding,” Stevens said. “I think they’re as connected as any team, as far as defensively what they’re trying to do — especially with a new system. And they’ve given us fits, so hopefully we play better than last time.”



bob



.

Rondo is recognized as THE leader by his teammates.

And to think, almost every sports writer painted him as a selfish player.



KJ