Assistant Coach Rajon Rondo

Kentucky coach John Calipari tweeted this on Thursday night:

“John Wall (@jimmywa11), Rajon Rondo (@rajonrondo) & Eric Bledsoe (@ebled24) all plan to enroll in the fall if the lockout continues. Kaboom!”

Oh that Calipari did it again. Since I think there will be a lock out, it would be cool if all 3 of them were assistant coaches of Kentucky. Such a good recruiting ploy too. Calipari can just send a pro out on recruiting trips and get whichever high school kid he wants to fall right into his lap.

This is why John Calipari is the man. He thinks outside of the box. Great move Coach Cal.

Does This Rondo Quote Bother You?

As has long been suspected, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo admitted to Yahoo! Sports that the trade of his good friend Kendrick Perkins in late February had a bigger impact on the team's mental focus than it should have.

"It wasn't like the man passed away or something," Rondo told Yahoo! Sports reporter Marc J. Spears. "I think we put too much emphasis on it. It's a business. He got traded. He's very happy where he's at. We still talk, and I'm always going to have his back. It shouldn't have affected us the way it affected us (WEEI)."

I sometimes worry about what goes on in Rondo's head. Throughout the season it seemed like he played up to the competition, but would play down to it as well if there wasn't something to prove. Then there was this whole Perkins trade mess, and it really did seem to affect him. To a point I understand it, but with this team aging by the day and Rondo is becoming the leader of the team he needs to have a stronger head then this. From this quote I think he has learned that. Like he said "it's a business", and no matter what happens you have to come in and do your job.

Rondo proved a lot to me in terms of toughness when he came back from that horrible elbow injury. I think over the next year he needs to become more and more of a leader. The obvious thing is developing the last parts of his game that keep him from being the best PG in the game (free throws, outside jump shot). He doesn't have to be good in those two areas, but he needs to at least make it respectable. If he can't hit free throws then it stops him from going to the rim, and if he can't hit the outside jump shot no one feels the need to play up on him.

The bottom line is if this quote is true it kind of makes me disappointed in the entire team. They are a veteran team and they should've been able to move on from this and not let it affect them as much as Rondo said it did.

Couple Of Celtics Notes

ESPN caught up with Rondo recently and he discussed a bunch of topics, but there were two things that were noteworthy...

On his dislocated elbow: "It's the most pain I've ever been in playing ball. I'm feeling a little pain now, but the swelling is down. The only thing is there's swelling in my joint. I'll be fine, it just takes time. I've got a couple more weeks that I'm off, as far as rest and the repetition of weights."

On potentially playing overseas: "It's something my agent and I have spoken about. A lot of things go into playing overseas, a lot of little things to take care of. For me, right now, I'm just focused on getting healthy -- getting healthy and getting better for my team next year, the Boston Celtics (ESPN)."

You just knew that elbow was going to take a long time to heal, but since I think we all know they are going to be missing games this year due the lockout I am not concerned about it at all, and he doesn't seem to be either. As for playing overseas, I like everything he says. If the lockout becomes a long term thing he can jump on somewhere, but there is no reason to be deciding such things now. Actually, I loved everything Rondo said in this interview. He was asked if the Big Three have another run in them, and he basically said they do, because no one sees how good of shape these guys are in. He was also asked about the lockout, and said that he didn't give a shit, he just wants to get healthy and win another title for Boston.

The other note for the Celtics is Paul Flannery was on WEEI on the other day and discussed the chances of the Celtics getting Dwight Howard...

"Here’s the pitch: Come play with a defensive-minded, pass-first point guard in Rondo and for coach Doc Rivers (a strong selling point, by the way), and you’ll be joining forces on one of the truly historic basketball teams as they transition from one era to the next. Did we mention the 17 banners? Bill Russell? You might have heard we're building a statue for him (Celticsblog)."

Although, I agree with the author of this post that the Nets are still more likely in my eyes (just seems like Howard would like being in New York), I do think that the Celtics have a great case. Rondo is the perfect PG for a guy like Howard. I mean remember the beginning of last year when Rondo was making Shaq look like an All-Star again? I do. So, imagine an actual All-Star getting those passes. I do hate Howard, I think he is a loser and cares more about his imagine then rings (which is why I see him with the Nets), but if there is a coach that could reach him it's Doc.

Trade Rondo?

So on the Radio this morning I was hearing rumors about trading Rajon in a deal that involves Dwight Howard or Chris Paul back this way.

I love Rajon, I do, he's my favorite Celtic player of all time, But if the Celtics were going to knock down the Big 3, this makes sense. As much as I despise Chris Paul he is a great pg, he can create his own shot, defend and pass the ball really well. Also, if we could get Dwight Howard, you do it. Dwight is a beast of a center and if we can do a deal involving Rajon for Dwight you gotta do it. I know there would be secondary players in a deal, but if we are going to rebuild and stay relevant than we do it.

I also saw this crazy trade rumor too:
Celtics get: Dwight Howard, Gilbert Arenas, Chris Paul, and Emeka Okafor
Hornets get: Rajon Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal, and a signed Glen Davis
Magic get: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and a signed Jeff Green (plus maybe a future pick or two)

Yea it wouldn't happen, but you know what, it's crazy to dream.