Mavericks guard Rondo hopes he doesn’t shed any tears in return to Boston
When the Boston Celtics pay tribute to Rajon Rondo for all the hard work he bestowed upon them over eight-plus seasons, the point guard will try his best not to shed any tears.
“If I do, hopefully the camera isn’t on me too much,” Rondo said. “I’m going to try to blink a lot.”
So why will Rondo be so emotional in his first game in Boston as a member of another NBA team? The Dallas Mavericks’ playmaker chose the self-exclamatory route.
“That’s where I started, that’s where I got molded, that’s where everything happened for me,” Rondo said. “The best years are still ahead of me, I believe, but I was an All-Star four times, I won a championship in Boston and I can’t thank the fans enough.
“The reception I got, even when we were losing 18 in a row the first year, the fans still showed a lot of support. They came to every game. When I was out on the streets, they didn’t kill me or they didn’t heckle me. It was always supportive.”
Rondo appreciates the support. That’s why, in his mind, he already knows that the fans will tip their hats Friday night when Boston (11-18) hosts the Mavs (23-10) at 6:30 at TD Garden.
“I believe I’m going to get a great reception,” Rondo said. “I gave it my all every time I went out there on the floor to play as a Celtic.
“They’re true fans. They’re not fair-weather fans — when you’re losing, they’re gone. They’re going to ride it out and be a Celtic for life.”
The 21st overall pick of the 2006 draft, Rondo was 22 years old and the starting point guard when the Celtics captured the 2008 NBA title. He played alongside future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and he was always a fan favorite for his all-out hustle.
It was the aforementioned trio that helped shape Rondo into the gritty, gutsy player he is today.
“Just being around the nature of those guys — they’re great competitors and so am I,” Rondo said. “They worked extremely hard. They set the tone as far as work ethic, and they were first in the gym and last in the gym. To see those three Hall of Famers do that, it set the tone for me as a young player.”
Owner Mark Cuban admits that he had some preconceived notions about Rondo being aloof and something of a loner. Cuban no longer feels that way.
“I just heard a lot that he was kind of introverted and nerdy and didn’t like to talk,” Cuban said. “Maybe he’s a little bit introverted, but I’ve loved talking to him.
“He’s a true student of the game. He understands the micro and the macro aspects of playing the game a lot better than I do. I just like talking to the guy.”
Coach Rick Carlisle, who won an NBA championship as a player with the Celtics in 1986, also likes talking basketball with Rondo. He knows this will be an emotional night for the Louisville, Ky., native.
“I’ve known him for two weeks now and followed his career very closely,” Carlisle said. “Boston is one of the great sports cities in the world, and the reason people in Boston identify with him is because of his uncompromising competitiveness and the fact that he’s an absolute original.
“He’s just a one-of-a-kind player. One of the things that really defines his game is his resourcefulness in finding ways to help the team win.”
The Mavs acquired Rondo and Dwight Powell in a trade with the Celtics on Dec. 18 for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, a 2015 first-round draft pick, a 2016 second-round pick and a $12.9 million trade exception.
Boston was 9-14 and heading toward the NBA Draft Lottery when it pulled the trigger on the trade. The Mavs, meanwhile, were 19-8 and now 4-2 since acquiring Rondo.
Records, though, won’t matter when Rondo faces what is expected to be an adoring crowd.
“Look, I know how they feel about him,” Carlisle said. “He was there when they were really bad. He was in the leadership position on a championship team and for a lot of other long playoff runs.
“Then, more recently, he was with them through a rebuild. And his approach hasn’t changed.”
Part of Rondo’s approach was his willingness to thank Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck and team president Danny Ainge for the experiences they allowed him to enjoy.
“It was a great opportunity to play for one of the best franchises in sports history,” Rondo said. “The fans, they are one of if not the best fans in sports, period, that I’ve played in [front of] these last nine years and been a part of.
“It’s been an honor to be a Celtic. I’m very grateful for the opportunity that Wyc and Danny gave me to become a Celtic those nine years.”
Dwain Price, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published January 1, 2015 at 9:24 PM with the headline "Mavericks guard Rondo hopes he doesn’t shed any tears in return to Boston."