Rondo appeared to want his teammates to air out complaints in the early evening of April 14, but it rapidly deteriorated into a grievance session that had the uncomfortable vibe of the young guys against the Big 3 of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce(notes) and Ray Allen(notes). For some Celtics, there was a sense that Rondo had prodded the younger teammates to speak out on the tough-love tactics of the vets.
Rondo never vented, but one teammate who had challenged K.G. later confessed privately that he wished he had never spoken up, that he didn’t even believe the whiny words tumbling out of his mouth. Rondo insists he had the best of intentions, and yet there’s no mistaking the fact the meeting served to widen a gulf between him and his older teammates.
Rivers didn’t reveal the meeting to Yahoo! Sports, but was honest about its consequences. Rondo has come a long way from April, when there were influential members of the organization – from front office to the floor – who wondered about his agenda, who thought the wildly talented point guard was sometimes too smart for the greater good of the team. In this preseason, the sturdiness and consistency of his leadership has overwhelmed any lingering skepticism in the front office, coaching staff and locker room.
Shades of young Isiah in Rajon, both good and bad.
Rondo played brilliant ball in the playoffs, but Celtics general manager Danny Ainge still shopped him in summer trade talks. His intent was likely less to actually move Rondo and far more to shake him up. Rondo is smart and strong-minded, and sometimes his stubbornness could complicate cohesion.
Within the team, there was a sense the three biggest stars – Garnett, Pierce and Allen – had all made sacrifices to solidify the Celtics as a champion. As much as Rondo might want it to be considered the Big 4, the question would linger: What had he given up?
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