CelticsBlog - Rajon Rondo return watchA Boston Celtics Blog: 17 Banners and Countinghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48431/celtic-small-1.png2014-01-28T17:17:13-05:00http://www.celticsblog.com/rss/stream/50612232014-01-28T17:17:13-05:002014-01-28T17:17:13-05:00Captain Comeback
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<figcaption>Alex Trautwig</figcaption>
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<p>We haven't done a <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/boston-celtics-daily-links">Daily Links</a> since December, but every Celtics fan should check out Jessica Camerato's profile of Rajon Rondo where he discusses his rehab and his new attitude toward the game and life.</p> <p>It's a <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/rondo-140128/boston-celtics-rajon-rondo-new-perspective">must read</a>. Here's a snippet to whet your appetite:</p>
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<p>Rondo made his season debut on Jan. 17, 2014, close to one year after he was delivered the life-changing news. His minutes are restricted -- he will have to work his way back to the almost 38 he averaged last season -- and the brace he wears each game serves as a physical reminder of the work that still lies ahead. He doesn't always move as daringly as he did before the injury, that will come with time, and he is taking a cautious approach to his game. The flash will follow after the fundamentals. He admits at the time of his injury, he didn't think he would be this reflective when he returned. But as he spoke with his right knee wrapped in ice, he said that each time he has the ball in his hands is meaningful to him.</p>
<p>"You appreciate life more. You appreciate the game more," Rondo said. "You don't take the game for granted every day that you wake up and get to play this game and step on the court. It's a blessing. It's not guaranteed. Any moment, any play, any time in the game, your life could change. So every game that I do get to play, I'm very blessed and fortunate."</p>
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<p>Rondo's injury put so many things in motion. It derailed last season's run with a revamped roster. It lead to an early exit from the playoffs. It forced Danny Ainge to take a hard look at his team, consider rebuilding, eventually trading away <span>Paul Pierce</span> and <span>Kevin Garnett</span>, and letting <span>Doc Rivers</span> walk. It's not all because of a torn ACL, but that was the straw that broke the Big Three's back in the end.</p>
<p>We've seen flashes of Rondouble-double-double in his return (in the Camerato piece, he mentions that he "felt like (he) mastered a triple-double") and he'll finally come into form by season's end when the team will probably be looking more towards the draft than a playoff spot. By game 82, the hope is that Rondo will be back at 100%, but the team will still be undergoing a rehab of its own. Many will consider this season a lost year, an inconsequential brick of the rebuild, but it does have its silver linings. Rondo was named the 15th captain in the history of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> and in a calendar year where he's only spent a few precious seconds on the parquet floor, his maturation off the court might be the biggest development of the season.</p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/28/5355174/rajon-rondo-discusses-rehab-and-his-new-outlook-on-lifeBill Sy2014-01-22T12:53:16-05:002014-01-22T12:53:16-05:00The foreseeable future
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Last night's 0-for-8 performance was a bump on the road to recovery for Rajon Rondo, but it sounds like he'll be a Celtic long enough to see if he can bounce back from his injury and solidify himself as a cornerstone for the future.</p> <p>There's been wild speculation and rumor mongering since <span>Rajon Rondo</span> returned last week, but <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24416603/rondo-last-remaining-constant-on-ever-changing-celtics">Ken Berger of CBS Sports sheds some light on the point guard's future with the franchise</a>:</p>
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<p>"I don't put too much on the future," Rondo said, even though he knows that everything is riding on it.</p>
<p>League sources say Ainge is not actively shopping Rondo, but like any good GM, he isn't ignoring the phone calls, either. He's only come close to trading Rondo once before, in a deal that would've landed him Chris Paul. To all other inquiries about his prized point guard, Ainge keeps saying the same thing: "No."</p>
<p>An extension? Not now. After the NBA system was rigged for years to keep stars from leaving their teams, the rules now make it virtually impossible for a player in Rondo's situation to sign an extension. This summer, with one year left on his deal, Rondo would be eligible for at most a two-year extension. Like Paul when he was traded to the <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Clippers</a> in 2011, Rondo stands to get the longest, most lucrative deal by becoming a free agent in 2015 and re-signing with Boston.</p>
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<p>So, that's the reality. Not counting a possible playoff appearance or games he might take off while he recovers from knee surgery, there are 121 games separating Rondo from his impending free agency in the summer of 2015. That's 348,480 seconds of basketball for Danny Ainge to determine whether or not his prized point guard is the face of the franchise beyond this contract.</p>
<p>With draft picks galore over the next five years, Ainge could easily trade Rondo for even more assets and try and strike gold again with a rookie. It would make sense to find a younger player from the college ranks to spearhead the rebuild, but here's a word of caution: if Danny intends to build part of the roster via trade, he might need Rondo as a piece to attract free agents to Boston. <span>Kevin Garnett</span> doesn't become a Celtic (and sign an extension) without <span>Paul Pierce</span> and <span>Ray Allen</span> already in green.</p>
<p>For as bad a rap that Rondo gets, I get the sense that if he does re-sign in Boston, he won't demand the max. He seems committed to building a winner here and knows that taking a bulk of the cap away from Ainge could cripple that cause. Much of it will depend on how quickly guys like <span>Jared Sullinger</span> and <span>Kelly Olynyk</span> develop, whether or not Danny brings back his back court mate <span>Avery Bradley</span>, and who they draft over the next two summers, but Rondo's the captain now and I'm sure he takes that to heart. He's developed a very good working relationship with Brad Stevens, to the point where he acts equally as assistant coach and starting point guard. Maybe it's wishful thinking that he'll give the team a big hometown discount a year a half from now, but I don't put it past him.</p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/22/5334810/rondo-to-remain-with-celtics-until-2015Bill Sy2014-01-21T15:02:19-05:002014-01-21T15:02:19-05:00Bayless out, Rondo to play more
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<figcaption>Jared Wickerham</figcaption>
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<p>A week ago, Jordan Crawford was monopolizing the minutes at point guard. Then, Jerryd Bayless arrived in Boston via trade. Now, Rajon Rondo's back, Phil Pressey is earning more minutes, and Bayless is out with a sprained toe.</p> <blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Celtics&src=hash">#Celtics</a> HC Brad Stevens say Bayless (toe) out tonight vs <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Heat&src=hash">#Heat</a>. Expected to miss 7-10 days.</p>
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SherrodbCSN/statuses/425660623314509824">January 21, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Celtics&src=hash">#Celtics</a> HC Brad Stevens said Rondo will play 20-25 minutes tonight vs <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Heat&src=hash">#Heat</a>.</p>
— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) <a href="https://twitter.com/SherrodbCSN/statuses/425661137993338880">January 21, 2014</a>
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If you think about it, this was the way it was supposed to be all along: Rondo developing chemistry with the starting unit after coming back from rehab and a young point guard working off the bench as his protege. Over the next week and a half, we could be watching the future PG's of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> for the foreseeable future. While there is wild speculation that Rondo is on the block (including a <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=rondo%20rockets&src=typd">unsubstantiated rumor about a deal with the Rockets</a>), what we know for sure is that <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/rajon-rondo-reunion-boston-celtics-team-nothing-smooth-185450237--nba.html">RR is seamlessly fitting in with the team</a> and has even motivated once enemy Kris Humphries to <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/01/21/kris-humphries-has-become-one-celtics-more-valuable-players/BNOLnUl4ycx4kYi4rhpKqJ/story.html?s_campaign=sm_tw">potentially come back with the C's next season</a>:</p>
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<p>"I want to be a part of this whole, building this team and doing all that stuff with the new coach and all that, I want to be here," he said. "You never know if they want you or they don't want you or what their plans are, but I like Boston, my teammates. I'm just getting a chance to play with Rondo a little bit now."</p>
<p>The two have become friends, and Humphries admits his opinion on Rondo has changed dramatically.</p>
<p>"Yeah, I'm not going to lie, I never liked him until I got here," Humphries said. "And then it took me a minute to like him once I got here. He's a competitor, even if he's not scoring points, he's getting assists, he can really rebound for a point guard, and defensively I was surprised what he was doing in the first quarter [Sunday].</p>
<p>"The more he plays, the more we're going to grow as a team. Someone new comes back, he's gotta figure out how to do the most he can in 20 minutes, it's kind of tricky, and I think you can expect better from him and better from us as we keep going here."</p>
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<p>The season has been brutal as of late, but Rondo's return has definitely been a bright spot. As Ainge works his magic behind the scenes, Rondo (and Stevens) will start molding this team into a winner. He's getting more playing time and that will lead to better conditioning and rhythm, but already, he's proven so far that as the new captain, Rondo is <a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/16/5317748/build-around-rajon-rondo-dont-trade-him-celtics">becoming a capable leader</a>.</p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/21/5331700/jerryd-bayless-out-7-10-days-rondos-minutes-upped-to-20-25Bill Sy2014-01-16T22:33:55-05:002014-01-16T22:33:55-05:00Build around Rajon Rondo; don't trade him
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<figcaption>Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rondooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo</p> <p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/e3-eczxMvnI" height="315" width="560"></iframe> <br id="1389928420603"></p>
<p>(Yes, that's me) If you don't want to sit through the 36 seconds, here's the text version.</p>
<p>"Rondoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooo. Don't trade him."</p>
<p>The message is still relevant 2 years later.</p>
<p>By now we are used to the narrative...</p>
<p><i>Danny Ainge is blowing it up, but he still has one more big piece to move. He has to trade <span>Rajon Rondo</span> if he really wants to tank. Nobody wants to trade for Rondo when he's hurt so they'll wait till he's showcased this month and then make an offer at the trade deadline.</i></p>
<p>Blah blah blah blah. Spare me.</p>
<p>Is it possible that Danny Ainge might trade Rondo and has been planning to all along? I suppose there's a chance, sure. But I think it is far more likely that what he's been saying all along is actually, you know, the truth. That nobody is untouchable but it would take a whole lot to make Ainge consider moving Rajon. Instead, they are most likely going to move forward building around him.</p>
<p>Yet you'll still hear Chad Ford and many, many others trotting out the same old story about Rondo being available. The support for this line of thinking is "GMs around the league get the feeling that he'll be dealt." Well, that's nice of them to say. I'm sure they don't have any agendas or anything that would make them speculate on the secret plans of another GM who has no incentive to reveal said secret plan to them. That sounds legit.</p>
<p>I will say, however, that we're starting to see a refreshing twist of the narrative. Instead of "Rondo is destined to be traded" we're starting to hear about the opposite. Maybe, just maybe there's something to this idea of building around Rondo. A few examples:</p>
<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20140116/boston-celtics-danny-ainge-trade-future-rebuilding/#ixzz2qZXz7X4v">Celtics fast tracking rebuild thanks to Danny Ainge - NBA - Chris Mannix - SI.com</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/news/20140116/boston-celtics-danny-ainge-trade-future-rebuilding/#ixzz2qZXz7X4v"></a>Is Rondo a natural leader? Probably not. Is he, when healthy, one of the five best players at his position? Absolutely. Before Boston decides to deal him, they should think long and hard about how difficult it will be to replace him. You build around players like Rondo, who by the way can't be a free agent until the summer of '15. You keep this year's pick, hope the team sinks far enough in the standings to get into the Jabari Parker-Joel Embiid-Andrew Wiggins sweepstakes and you build around them.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/ben-rohrbach/2014/01/16/dear-danny-ainge-build-around-rajon-rondo?fb_action_ids=10202569572776099&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=[793901300626609]&action_type_m">celtics - Dear Danny Ainge: Build around Rajon Rondo - WEEI | Ben Rohrbach</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/ben-rohrbach/2014/01/16/dear-danny-ainge-build-around-rajon-rondo?fb_action_ids=10202569572776099&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=[793901300626609]&action_type_m"></a>This is why you build around Rajon Rondo. He turns 27 on Feb. 22, the same age as <span>Paul Pierce</span> when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> tanked in 2006-07. (If you’ll recall, Pierce had his share of detractors at that point in his career.) Any NBA team with championship aspirations needs multiple All-Stars, so what’s the logic behind trading Rondo? Hope two or three of their 29,233,380 draft picks turn into top-25 players? Doesn’t landing one or two with all these assets to pair with Rondo seem like a safer bet?</p>
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<p>Granted, both writers have local ties to the Boston market and maybe they are just pandering to fans like me (it's totally working Chris and Ben). But I think you'll start to see this line of thinking seep into the national media as well - if only so they can pat themselves on the back for thinking outside the box.</p>
<p>I could spend some more time coming up with reasons to keep Rondo and build around him, but I won't. First of all, I'm a blatant Rondo apologist so my opinions are biased to the point of rendering them useless. Secondly, I'm not going to sway anyone. And lastly, ...and I know this may shock and sadden you, ... but I have it on very good authority that Danny Ainge doesn't really read blogs much if at all. (I know, I know. think of all the priceless wisdom he's missed out on)</p>
<p>Suffice it to say, I full expect Rondo to be a Celtic well past next month's trade deadline. And if he isn't, ...well, you can expect an epic rant that might last for days or at least until the paramedics pry my twitching fingers off the keyboard.</p>
<p>Update: Perfect example of the article I was expecting right here by Sean Deveney: <a href="http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2014-01-17/rajon-rondo-trade-rumors-boston-celtics-free-agency-brad-stevens-kevin-love-lance-stephenson-all-star">The Baseline: Rondo, Celtics planning on staying together, focused on 2015 - NBA - Sporting News</a></p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/16/5317748/build-around-rajon-rondo-dont-trade-him-celticsJeff Clark2014-01-15T12:54:51-05:002014-01-15T12:54:51-05:00Rajon Rondo will workout today in Maine
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<figcaption>Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> released a statement this afternoon that says point guard <span>Rajon Rondo</span> has been assigned to the NBA D-League to practice with the Maine Red Claws on Wednesday. In the release, Danny Ainge said that Rondo will then be recalled immediately after the conclusion of his workout.</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press_release/celtics-assign-rondo">Celtics Assign Rondo | Danny Ainge Statement</a><br>"Rajon is progressing terrifically in his rehab and this is the next step," said Danny Ainge, Celtics President of Basketball Operations. "This is a brief assignment so that Rajon can participate in a workout this afternoon with the Red Claws and he will be called back up to the Celtics upon the conclusion of the workout."</p>
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<p>In other words, Rondo will workout in Maine today, but he will not play in any games for the Red Claws. This move all but confirms that Rondo will play in his first game of the season on Friday night against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> -- assuming everything goes well today.</p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/15/5311934/boston-celtics-assign-rajon-rondo-to-d-league-for-practiceKevinOConnorNBA2014-01-14T00:18:58-05:002014-01-14T00:18:58-05:00Rondo hints at return on Twitter
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<figcaption>Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Math!</p> <p>Just a few hours following the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> 104-92 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a>, <span>Rajon Rondo</span> tweeted this seemingly coded message:</p>
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<p>29,233,380 secs</p>
— Rajon Rondo (@RajonRondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/RajonRondo/statuses/422951741773336576">January 14, 2014</a>
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<p>Now, what does that mean exactly? Well, we don't know for sure.</p>
<p>However, it seems like there might be a legitimate estimation one may or may not be able to make.</p>
<p><i>29,233,380/60(1 minute)/60(1 hour)/24(1 day) = roughly 338</i></p>
<p>338 days? Hmmm...</p>
<p>I've got it!</p>
<p>Coincidentally (or maybe not), there will have been exactly 338 days between Rondo's February 13, 2013 ACL surgery and this Friday, January 17, 2014.</p>
<p>In other words, there will have been exactly 338 days between Rondo's surgery and the Celtics' upcoming match-up with the Los Angeles Lakers, a game that will be played on, oh by the way, January 17, 2014.</p>
<p>So, why would Rondo tweet this? I guess we'll have to wait until Friday night to find out because, after all, you know what the say about assuming, right?</p>
<p><i>Follow Tim on Twitter for more on the Celtics.</i></p>
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https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/14/5306690/rajon-rondo-is-smarter-than-all-of-usTim MacLean2014-01-13T22:04:27-05:002014-01-13T22:04:27-05:00The seismic shift of Rajon Rondo's return
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<p>This changes everything.</p> <p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> is returning "soon." Everything you think you know about this current <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> team is about to change in one way or another. Everything.</p>
<p>Forgive my dramatic intro, but I really don't think you can understate the impact that this will have on the team. When a team's best player misses half the season and then returns, that's big. When he happens to play point guard, that's huge. When you are in a rebuilding mode and everything is (in theory) geared toward building around that star... well, like I said, it changes everything.</p>
<p>First a caveat: I'm talking about mostly-full-speed-Rondo. Who knows if he'll be on a minutes restriction or if he'll still be struggling with confidence in the knee or whatever. I don't know when he'll be BACK but at some point (maybe in his first game, maybe not till next year) he'll have a game where you just know that the old Rondo is running the show again.</p>
<p>So let's look at all the ways that Rondo could impact the Celtics this year:</p>
<p><b>1. Depth Chart</b></p>
<p>We'll finally have a legit point guard again. Some have filled in admirably for a time but extended playing time out of position is never the best thing for the team or that player. Rondo starts at point guard and presumably <span>Avery Bradley</span> stays at shooting guard next to him (more on him later). Crawford heads to the bench where he'll split time with Jared Bayless backing up both positions. Theoretically Stevens can ride the hot hand since both are streaky players. Pressy probably sees his minutes cut the most out of the group.</p>
<p><i>Wildcard:</i> <span>MarShon Brooks</span>, as little as he's been used, might still have some small glimmer of hope to squeeze his way into the lineup. On the surface it doesn't make sense since there will be fewer minutes to go around. But again, everything changes with Rondo in the mix. If he somehow clicks with Brooks, he might finally get a chance to prove himself.</p>
<p><b>2. Changing Roles</b></p>
<div class="pullquote">Jeff Green has been a focal point when he hasn't faded into the corn like Field of Dreams </div>
<p>Who's the leader of this team? We've been asking that since training camp and the only answers we've come up with consistently are <span>Brad Stevens</span> and Rajon Rondo (from the sideline). <span>Jeff Green</span> has been a focal point when he hasn't faded into the corn like Field of Dreams. <span>Jared Sullinger</span> has stepped up his game but is probably still a little young for that role. <span>Gerald Wallace</span> talks a big talk and walks a small, ineffective walk (sorry Crash). Now we'll have an unquestioned alpha dog who finally has a team to call all his own.</p>
<p>Brad Stevens has tried to tailor the offense to Rondo's strengths, which is an extremely hard thing to do when the key piece is missing. It won't likely be the "pound the ball into the floor waiting for <span>Ray Allen</span> to curl around 4 screens" offense we saw for years under <span>Doc Rivers</span>. Rondo may have to move without the ball more than he has in a long time. With that said, he's still going to see things others don't or can't see. Plus, when the clock is winding down, the ball will be in Rondo's hands and not Jordan Crawford's. That alone has to count for something.</p>
<p><b>3. The Jason Kidd / <span>Steve Nash</span> effect</b></p>
<p>Whenever Jason Kidd or Steve Nash changed teams (during their primes) a funny thing happened. All the average players on their new teams got better. Sometimes they signed big contracts to go play elsewhere and subsequently fell flat on their faces. Having a great point guard just has a way of making everything work better.</p>
<p>We've got some young guys still learning the ropes and some guys that may have hit a plateau in their careers. If anyone in the league could give each of these guys a boost in the right direction it is Rajon Rondo. He might get Jeff Green 3 or 4 more looks in the open court per game. He'll find Bass for his sweet spot elbow jumper right where he likes it. <span>Kelly Olynyk</span> will be on the balls of his feet with hands poised because he knows if he's open he'll actually get the ball.</p>
<p>Avery Bradley might be impacted the most. Right now he's leading the team in shot attempts. He's become a default go-to guy because he's got the confidence to shoot and he's one of the more talented players on the team. That's great, but I can't help but feel like Rondo can put him in better positions to score. Also, with some of the offensive load relieved, he can put some more emphasis on his superpower - namely defense.</p>
<p><b>4. Prime Time</b></p>
<p>This current version of the team is fun to watch from a certain perspective. They (usually) work hard, they are growing, and you never know what's going to happen next. With that said, unless they are in the process of upsetting a much better team (Miami for example), they aren't exactly SportsCenter material. Sure there's the occasional Jeff Green dunk on the top 10 and the occasional Kris Humphries getting dunked on. But there's not a lot of swag on this team.</p>
<p>Rondo changes that for the better. He makes this team interesting from a national standpoint again. I know that isn't necessarily important to diehards like you and me, but it might matter to the players. What quality free agent is signing with the Celtics this offseason if Rondo isn't part of the long term plan? They still might not sign in Boston anyway, but Rondo at least gives them reason to ponder it.</p>
<p><b>5. Variables</b></p>
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Rondo really is on the level of an assistant coach out on the court
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<p>I'm sure I've missed several other impacts that Rondo will have on the team, for better or worse. Chances are good that his return could have some negative impacts on some players. Will Jordan Crawford fall right out of the rotation? Will players struggle with the fact that they won't be touching the ball as often? Will Rondo flat out flip out when he sees something that the guys on the court simply don't get?</p>
<p>I have a lot more faith in Rondo's maturity and patience than many talking heads and national writers. But even I have to admit that you never know with Rondo. He's always going to have a fire and an edge that makes him who he is - both in a positive and a negative way. Maybe Stevens is just the kind of calming influence he needs but you can't count on that 100%.</p>
<p>But flipping that script, you never know who might just be on the same wavelength as Rondo. Maybe when Jeff Green starts to fade into the background, Rondo will see that and grab him by the ear and forcefeed him the ball. Maybe when Crawford is doing bad-Steez things Rondo will work the ball into Sullinger instead. Rondo really is on the level of an assistant coach out on the court and there's no telling what he'll see (on a micro or macro level) that none of us could have expected.</p>
<p>So yeah, you could say that Rondo will have a big impact on the Celtics.</p>
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<link href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3604021/nextclicks.css" rel="stylesheet"></p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/13/5306110/the-seismic-shift-of-rajon-rondos-return-on-the-boston-celticsJeff Clark2014-01-13T19:17:01-05:002014-01-13T19:17:01-05:00Stevens: Rondo return this week "A possibility"
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hwEwRCtAinMsg1u98qQLi2zDgDg=/190x167:3105x2110/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26780435/20140103_jla_sv3_279.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In his pre-game media availability, Brad Stevens suggested that Rondo's return is imminent.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Stevens on Rondo: "nothing with certainty. I get the feeling it will be sooner rather than later." Said possibly this week but doesn't know</p>
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJayKing/statuses/422863742834327552">January 13, 2014</a>
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He won't suit up tonight, but he's getting close. There was <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&ved=0CDIQqQIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bostonglobe.com%2Fsports%2F2014%2F01%2F11%2Frajon-rondo-plans-return-before-all-star-break%2FfoVRvgecaD2oVwD9FY4jCK%2Fstory.html&ei=F37UUvThIcHwoAT34oDQDw&usg=AFQjCNE8CHw0ZJsvT7UYg2ZmD0V0W3bVnA&sig2=gVMJVfOwaS_C5MCGL0cw2A&bvm=bv.59026428,d.cGU">Rondo's self-proposed timetable</a> of coming back before the All Star break and then <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rajon-rondo-s-target-date-for-return-220701943.html">Marc Spears' report</a> that he was targeting January 17th against the rival <a href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Lakers</a>. Today, Stevens offered a cryptic "sooner rather than later" suggestion to Rondo's much anticipated return. And even though Ainge has reiterated over and over again that Rondo will take his time with his rehab and more importantly, that Rondo is a part of the future of the franchise, his imminent comeback will start the rumor mill churning. This, from <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10285177/tank-rank-luol-deng-trade-shakes-landscape">Chad Ford's Tank Rank</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Rajon Rondo</span> could be that building block. But he turns 28 in February, has posed chemistry issues in the past and there is an increasing belief among NBA circles that GM Danny Ainge will use him, once healthy, to get multiple assets back. So the chances that he's the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Celtics</a>' cornerstone moving forward look slim.</p>
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<p>Sounds like speculation and I'm sure Ainge would like to see how Rondo performs and gels with the current roster before he makes any rash decisions about his All Star point guard. But let's remember: <span>Kendrick Perkins</span> played just 12 games for Boston after he bounced back from his ACL tear before he was traded to OKC. The circumstances were different at the time, but you can never be too surprised with what Trader Danny could pull off. If another sweetheart deal comes across the table (for example, a trade that might include a lottery pick and another team taking on the remaining years of Gerald Wallace's contract), Ainge would have to consider it.</p>
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<p><iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yMVwQykcyys" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
https://www.celticsblog.com/2014/1/13/5305842/stevens-on-rondo-sooner-rather-than-laterBill Sy