Rondo Causing Problems In Dallas
Rajon Rondo was suspended for last night’s game against the Hawks following this altercation with Mavericks’ head coach Rick Carlisle during Tuesday’s game against the Raptors:
http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMqmazGYBns
Apparently Rondo and Carlisle got into it again in the locker room after the game.
“Rondo and Carlisle had another emotionally charged dispute in the locker room after the game, sources told ESPNDallas.com, and the Mavs subsequently announced Rondo’s suspension a little more than two hours before Wednesday’s tipoff. …
Team sources told ESPNDallas.com that friction had been building between Carlisle and Rondo over play-calling responsibilities, the majority of which the coach has handled. Former Mavs point guard Jason Kidd had similar frustrations during his first season playing with Carlisle, although it never resulted in a public outburst.”
Tim McMahon, ESPN.com
There were stories in the past about Rondo having some heated exchanges with Doc in the locker room but I’m not sure I ever saw it during a game like this. Regardless, every Celtics fan is saying “I told you so” right now and they should be. So far during his time in Dallas, he has done nothing to show that he has outgrown his attitude problems and he has certainly not shown that he is an elite point guard. At 29 years old I don’t see either of those changing. The Mavericks have been worse since acquiring Rondo and the Celtics have been better since letting him go, so props to Danny for finally pulling the trigger on that trade.
ESPN Dallas’ Tim McMahon is also reporting that it is “extremely unlikely” that Rondo will return to the Mavs next season, which obviously isn’t surprising.
I appreciate everything he was able to accomplish in Boston when he had the right talent around him, but Rondo has proven that he isn’t worth the baggage that he brings. His great passing ability just doesn’t make up for his inability to score and his lack of effort on defense, not to mention his arrogance which was on full display in Dallas Tuesday night. If he doesn’t clean up his act soon, Rondo will be a nobody in this league.
PS: In his first three games as a Celtic, Isaiah Thomas has hit more free throws than Rondo hit in all 22 of his games with Boston this year. Can someone say upgrade?