Homecoming receptions much different for Mavericks’ Rondo, Parsons

All of the Dallas Mavericks anxiously stood around Friday night in Boston and watched the warm reception that the Celtics’ organization and their fans gave to point guard Rajon Rondo.

“That was incredible,” Mavs forward Chandler Parsons said after the Mavs’ 119-101 victory over the Celtics at TD Garden. “I’m really happy for him.

“Obviously they respect him a lot here. He did some special things for their organization and won a championship, so that was really classy how they gave him the reception they did and the video.”

Unfortunately for Parsons, he didn’t receive the same polished treatment when he played his first game in Houston against the Rockets on Nov. 22. Parsons was booed during pregame introductions and booed every time he touched the ball during the Mavs’ 95-92 loss.

Parsons played his first three seasons for the Rockets and had another year left on his contract. But the Rockets allowed him to become a restricted free agent in July with the notion that they would match any offer he received.

But when Parsons signed a three-year, $46 million contract with the Mavs, suddenly the Rockets shifted into reverse and said his contract was untradeable. So they decided to make a tough business decision and allow Parsons to leave their organization, and they didn’t receive any compensation in return.

“They didn’t match [the Mavs’ offer sheet] — it was on them,” Parsons said. “I did everything I could for three years.

“Obviously words were exchanged after I left, but that’s part of the game and as competitors you say some things. I respect them, I don’t take anything personal what they did and how it all left.”

Center Tyson Chandler also received a warm reception when the Mavs played the Knicks in New York on Dec. 16. Chandler spent the previous three seasons with the Knicks and finished with eight points and 14 rebounds during the Mavs’ 107-87 victory over New York.

The Rockets did give Parsons a video tribute, and the fans gave him a standing ovation. But they quickly went back to booing him every time he touched the ball.

“The fans were great to me my entire career I was there,” Parsons said. “It’s done and over with, and I’m glad I got it out of the way and I’m moving on with my career this year, too.

“I was a free agent. I chose what was best for my own career.”

Parsons scored just eight points and grabbed eight rebounds and was only 3-of-9 from the field in his Houston homecoming.

Rondo scored a season-high 29 points, was 12-of-19 from the field, and made a career-high five 3-pointers in his homecoming game Friday night.

As the Mavs (24-10) prepare to play the LeBron James-less Cleveland Cavaliers (19-14) at noon Sunday at Quickens Loan Arena, Parsons reflected on how Rondo was able to successfully block out all of the external things in Boston and turn in a productive performance.

“I know how tough these things can be personally,” Parsons said. “So I’m just really impressed how he stayed in control and stayed focused and led us, and then played extremely well.”

This story was originally published January 3, 2015 at 7:40 PM with the headline "Homecoming receptions much different for Mavericks’ Rondo, Parsons."