Rajon Rondo will likely be ready to play on opening night

Rajon Rondo was initially expected to miss 6 to 8 weeks, which would have put him back somewhere in the early-to-mid November timeframe.  The team's first game is next Wednesday, October 29 and it sounds more and more like Rondo is going to give it a go.

Looks like open season for Rajon Rondo | Boston Herald

"I think obviously he’s got a chance to pick it up easier than last year when you can’t do as much running, jumping, cutting — all that stuff — because you’re coming off of a knee injury," Stevens said. "He’s been able to do that the whole time. Now it’s just a matter of just getting clearance really. "Everything else — from a skill standpoint, from an understanding standpoint — he’s been running our offense 5-on-0 up and down the court for 10 days now, and he picks it up pretty quickly anyways. And we’ve spent some time just watching film, whether it’s of the team when he’s not on the floor or just simple stuff that’s he’s not been able to do in practice."

Remember when Doc Rivers always used to joke, "You know, 'Doc' is just a nickname" joke that he would use every time there was a question about injuries?  Well, it turns out that Brad Stevens has his own version of that joke.  It is the "my dad was a doctor, not me" routine.

Healing will dictate if Rondo plays opener - Boston Celtics Blog - ESPN Boston

"It's not my call, that’s the way I look at it," said Stevens. "When [team trainer] Ed [Lacerte] tells me that someone is ready to play, that’s the go-ahead to let them play. And I wouldn’t rush it. I would not be up here and say, ‘We really need this person on Tuesday night.’ It’s just the way it goes. I’m the son of a doctor, I get it. I realize I don’t know a lot when it comes to medicine. I let them do their job and they do a great job."

Obviously they are going to take things slowly and carefully to make sure he doesn't re-injure the hand.  But it sounds like Rajon is eager to get back on the court and has been practicing at a pretty high level for the last week already.

Rondo's Comeback Bid Continues as Planned | Boston Celtics

Skeleton drills are one thing, but Rondo’s current participation level is another. He’s nearly practicing without limitations, which not only allows him to become game-ready, but also heightens the competition level during each practice. "Practice becomes like a structured streetball game, because Rondo is the guy that pushes everyone," Avery Bradley said. "He goes hard every single possession. He really pushes our team, and it shows when he’s in practice why he’s our leader."

I'm just looking forward to seeing him back on the court again.  I can't wait to see a little more of this.