Jackie M - Rondo wants out?

[calamity]

To be fair this whole ordeal is not giving her the best of look. I'm far from the only one questioning this. Just because she had some legit claims before doesnt meant she cant goof on one like this.

[soxfan2003]

But who does Jack Mac have ties to in this case? Certainly not Rondo. Nor the FO as Gotham proves. Doc Rivers? If him and Rondo are at such odds that she is alluding to, he wouldn't know anything but perhaps make things up to further soil the situation, ya know. Rondo doesnt give her the chummy chummy treatment that past C's stars have, she probably want him out like Bob Ryan and the rest of them. A journalist's enemy is an un-accessible subject. So I will take her claims with a huge grain of salt.

Jackie has been covering the team for 30 years, you think she doesn't know anyone? From front office types to players past and present, to coaches to game-day staffers to the broadcasters to the extensive front office tree of ex-Celtics that exists around the league, there's really no question that she has extensive ties all over the place who might know a thing about this.

Not saying definitively that it really happened, but to use a couple of standard PR denials to discredit her ties to the team is a little whatever. She's pretty respected.

Her articles read like Doc Rivers Press Releases and she makes buckets of errors when speaking about the league. That's why I don't put too much stock in what she says.

On the flip side, the Turner signing makes no sense to me except in light of a Rondo trade. Especially the part about his agent wanting him to 'expand his role.' Dude had the mother of all green lights in Philly, what else could they be talking about but a repeat of the Terrence Williams Experience? Playing center?

So who knows.

Having Turner probably makes it a little more likely that Rondo is dealt but I would think he was brought in as more of a cheap Jeff Green replacement. If Green is traded this year, someone has to score for the Celtics.

[Edug27]

To be fair this whole ordeal is not giving her the best of look. I'm far from the only one questioning this. Just because she had some legit claims before doesnt meant she cant goof on one like this.

Only way she looks bad from this is if Rondo doesn't get traded. If Rondo gets moved before the deadline, then her sources will appear legit.

[RondoToKG]

Has she said ANYTHING since this claim?

[SMTBSI]

Right along this whole storyline has been based upon broad assumptions.

During a commercial break, off the air, she said "Rondo wants out. And nobody believes me."

She didn't say, "My sources say Rondo has requested a trade", or "Rondo told me he wants out", or even "My sources say Rondo isn't happy".

Her belief that Rondo "wants out" could be based on anything at all, right down to her subjective impressions from talking to him or people near him that he's not thrilled with the rebuild. Of course, maybe it's more than that, but all we know is what she said, and she said it off the cuff, in casual conversation, off the air.

Next thing you know, every news outlet is running stories titled "Rondo has demanded a trade", and when he and his agent and the team deny this, they confidently declare that "damage control".

Again, maybe it's all true. Maybe he has "demanded" a trade. But it's all based on the absolute flimsiest of foundations.

This is no better than all of that Tspence crap. Give a media outlet the slightest justification for rolling out a sensationalistic headline, and they will, and 95% of the readers will give them their clicks and eat up every word.


It blows my mind.

[Captain_Caveman]

Right along this whole storyline has been based upon broad assumptions.

During a commercial break, off the air, she said "Rondo wants out. And nobody believes me."

She didn't say, "My sources say Rondo has requested a trade", or "Rondo told me he wants out", or even "My sources say Rondo isn't happy".

Her belief that Rondo "wants out" could be based on anything at all, right down to her subjective impressions from talking to him or people near him that he's not thrilled with the rebuild. Of course, maybe it's more than that, but all we know is what she said, and she said it off the cuff, in casual conversation, off the air.

Next thing you know, every news outlet is running stories titled "Rondo has demanded a trade", and when he and his agent and the team deny this, they confidently declare that "damage control".

Again, maybe it's all true. Maybe he has "demanded" a trade. But it's all based on the absolute flimsiest of foundations.

This is no better than all of that Tspence crap. Give a media outlet the slightest justification for rolling out a sensationalistic headline, and they will, and 95% of the readers will give them their clicks and eat up every word.


It blows my mind.

Not quite. She specifically said that, "he told them that".

[SMTBSI]

Not quite. She specifically said that, "he told them that".

Dang. I went looking for the clip to verify but couldn't find it at first.

Further digging reveals the exact quote to be:

"Cause he's told them he wants out. And no one believes me but that's the truth."

Definitely a more specific assertion on her part than I remembered.

[GuyClinch]

^^^That was in the video - and the link was posted here. <g>

Anyway she did say that no one would believe her. I do though. Rondo didn't grow up a Celtic fan and his championship was overshadowed by Pierce and KG. He is going to want to get one of his own and you will see him try with another team.. I think Houston is the logical destination..

The guy grew up in Kentucky and Virginia - I don't see why he would have any special love for NE. Wouldn't you want to leave in his situation?

[165bows]

Not quite. She specifically said that, "he told them that".

Dang. I went looking for the clip to verify but couldn't find it at first.

Further digging reveals the exact quote to be:

"Cause he's told them he wants out. And no one believes me but that's the truth."

Definitely a more specific assertion on her part than I remembered.

Here's why this whole thing doesn't pass muster with me. First of all, my informal reading leads me to believe 80% of RealGM posters assume Rondo (or any veteran All-Star) wants out of a bad team to go to NY or LA regardless of what Jackie says. Second of all, this little clip of off air commentary got picked up by a dozen outlets in 24 hours.

So you want someone to believe you Jackie? How about actually reporting it (ie, your job) before getting all woah is me about it. I mean, who is it that is suppressing this info? Her sources? If so then why is there some mass number of people (including the whole internet) that she is telling this to in order that they are able to find the idea so incredulous?

Unless we are to believe the editors who approved Chris Broussard running with the rumor that Doc, KG and Pierce were getting traded for Blake Griffin won't approve printing a Rondo trade rumor that almost every casual fan believes anyway.

So the alternatives are it's either nonsense, or it's part of a big dog and pony show, either of which I find more believable than this is some inside info that accidentally slipped out.

[SMTBSI]

^^^That was in the video - and the link was posted here. <g>

The original video was taken down a while ago.

The guy grew up in Kentucky and Virginia - I don't see why he would have any special love for NE. Wouldn't you want to leave in his situation?

No, I don't think there's any reason he'd fall on a grenade for us, either.

One difficulty I have with all of this is that it sort of seems to me that his desire to have the full UFA experience would seem to be a little at odds with his desire to be traded asap. He's a smart guy - he'd have to know that appearing disgruntled could very possibly reduce the likelihood of a trade by making it less likely that Ainge will get offers he'll feel inclined to go for. And if he's really truly committed to having that full UFA experience, then it seems sort of unnecessarily... turbulent... to relocate for one year to a team you may very well go on to bolt from a year later.

He also strikes me (and this is just wild speculation, I admit) as the kind of player who's not looking to gang up with Lebron or whoever and form a superteam. I think he's got enough ego to think he's good enough to be the best player on a championship team.


All of that said, I still see options for trades with several teams that I could stomach (the 2015 NOP 1st from Hou plus their next available 1st is not the worst starting point). I just don't think any of those teams are going to offer anything Danny could stomach right now.

If Rondo wants to get traded to a contender, his best bet is to come out of the gate firing on all cylinders this season. Whether he likes it or not, his best outcome is also our best outcome. I think he knows that.

Everything 165bows said.

Well said. What's this mystery magical source she has that no one else has any inkling about, and that she needs to keep so on the down low that she couldn't even attribute her belief to "my sources", and hasn't come out to say anything more about it since? It just doesn't smell right. Smells even worse than the usual unsubstantiated "sources say" rumors.

Rondo may be less than thrilled with the current direction of the team; who could blame him? But if you're going to come out with something more specific, I need some kind of source to find it credible.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Someone may have told her something off the record, which she was repeating off-air but can't print. It could also be true that she was told that Rondo's camp told the Celtics he would prefer to be in a winning situation, or would prefer to be traded, but that he hadn't actually demanded one yet.

And the denials are good for business- the FO wants Boston to be a place guys want to play, so they want to give the impression everyone is happy,but hey there was just a deal too good to pass up, we had concerns, our hand was forced etc.


Sent from my iPad using RealGM Forums

[robbie84]

She broke the KG to Boston trade didn't she? She was also the first one to mention that the Celtics (and Pierce) would be comfortable moving Al Jefferson for Kevin Garnett.
*She was also the first one to declare that Love to Boston probably wasn't happening, within a few days of Love visiting Boston and Fenway. If you read that article it's pretty much 'dead on' with what eventuated- ie she had some serious inside source to know all that correct info.
*she knew about KG's bone spurs and hip injuries in the 2013 playoffs (not huge but she announced it when we were all wondering wtf was going on with him).
*She was the first one to announce that KG was coming back for 2013/14. But not without Pierce.
Then Pierce and KG were traded to Brooklyn

She hasn't been right on everything, but she's been huge in some of the biggest Celtics breaking rumors/news over the decades.

That's why I give her credit when she's this convinced it's happening.

It's hard to know the context, and without that we are just speculating.
And I don't think we should take this quote literally given the situation it was aired in.

One could speculate that she means Rondo will explore free agency seriously if he doesn't get any new co stars soon in Boston.

[SMTBSI]

It could also be true that she was told that Rondo's camp told the Celtics he would prefer to be in a winning situation, or would prefer to be traded, but that he hadn't actually demanded one yet.

One could speculate that she means Rondo will explore free agency seriously if he doesn't get any new co stars soon in Boston.

For posterity, these are more or less my assumption as well. Rondo probably has something similar to the mindset Pierce had at the time: "Look, guys, I'm not going to blast my way out publicly and make the whole thing an awful mess, but I need to see some real progress in the very near future...".

Part of what bothers me about this whole show is that I feel that Rondo has handled it about as professionally as he could: he hasn't gone to the media and said anything damaging, or really done anything publicly to be a pill to the front office; he's been generally complimentary about Boston throughout. And yet, the nationwide narrative still manages to be that he's a malcontent.

When you get branded a malcontent for being a malcontent, and also get branded a malcontent for toeing the party line, well, I'm becoming inclined to give the benefit of the doubt and ignore a little bit of smoke until I see the fire.

[GuyClinch]

Part of what bothers me about this whole show is that I feel that Rondo has handled it about as professionally as he could: he hasn't gone to the media and said anything damaging, or really done anything publicly to be a pill to the front office; he's been generally complimentary about Boston throughout. And yet, the nationwide narrative still manages to be that he's a malcontent.

Only a Celtic fan would think this. Rondo doesn't have narrative - never mind a nationwide one as a malcontent. Unless you drive drunk, beat your wife or do something actually bad - you won't have this kind of rep.

[DarkAzcura]

Part of what bothers me about this whole show is that I feel that Rondo has handled it about as professionally as he could: he hasn't gone to the media and said anything damaging, or really done anything publicly to be a pill to the front office; he's been generally complimentary about Boston throughout. And yet, the nationwide narrative still manages to be that he's a malcontent.

Only a Celtic fan would think this. Rondo doesn't have narrative - never mind a nationwide one as a malcontent. Unless you drive drunk, beat your wife or do something actually bad - you won't have this kind of rep.

Hmm, maybe malcontent is a strong word, but you should check out threads about Rondo on the GB. Also most articles I've read about Rondo mention him being moody at least once. There is definitely some kind of narrative about Rondo nationally. It's not a Celtic fan thing only.

Jeff Goodman (MA native), a national writer/media member, definitely pushes the whole, "no one likes Rondo around the league," nationally, even though his sources are incredibly limited which became obvious when he was called out by Celticsblog in a recent QA interview.

[SMTBSI]

"Malcontent" was perhaps over-agressive word choice. (Though I'm not sure how you get drunk driving and domestic abuse out of: mal·con·tent | noun | a person who is always or often unhappy or angry about something [1])


My experience among other fanbases has been similar to DarkAzcura's, stated above. But I was specifically referring to the narrative that he's obviously unhappy in Boston and wants out ASAP - this is being thrown around like fact when he has not actually done anything publicly to imply that or make the front office's life difficult (well, aside from wanting to reach free agency, anyway).

[Boston34Celtics]

Whether this happens or not, the way people are talking about this/Rondo EVERYWHERE is so overwhelmingly annoying. So much ignorance in every thread about this on every forum you can find. Ugh lol

[sam_I_am]

Part of what bothers me about this whole show is that I feel that Rondo has handled it about as professionally as he could: he hasn't gone to the media and said anything damaging, or really done anything publicly to be a pill to the front office; he's been generally complimentary about Boston throughout. And yet, the nationwide narrative still manages to be that he's a malcontent.

Only a Celtic fan would think this. Rondo doesn't have narrative - never mind a nationwide one as a malcontent. Unless you drive drunk, beat your wife or do something actually bad - you won't have this kind of rep.

That's the point. Rondo doesn't deserve this degree of hate. Pierce got it too but he had the impression of being a bad guy - fair or not - after stabbing incident and refusal to testify against assailants. The local Boston media treats him as if he was Manny. Robert Parish reportedly punched his pregnant wife in stomach and has been treated better by the likes of Jackie, Ryan, Shaunessey etc. Ditto DJ.

[GuyClinch]

Show me some indication of Rondo hate on the national level (A major news article hating on him for example).. I haven't seen it - ever. Locally he is seen as a loner and sometimes called stat oriented. But hate? Its not there at the national level. His persona is one of intelligence and quiet - this is something that's looked fondly upon at the national level.. But most importantly he is just not a famous enough figure at the national level to have that narrative. Remember how Ainge said Pierce was a star and not a superstar. Well that's Rondo right now. D. Rose might be a superstar - Rondo is just not there.

To get a negative national narrative you need to do something really abhorrent - or be REALLY great and do something wrong. Rondo like Pierce doesn't really fall into either catergory - and he could easily be traded.

[sam_I_am]

Show me some indication of Rondo hate on the national level (A major news article hating on him for example).. I haven't seen it - ever. Locally he is seen as a loner and sometimes called stat oriented. But hate? Its not there at the national level. His persona is one of intelligence and quiet - this is something that's looked fondly upon at the national level.. But most importantly he is just not a famous enough figure at the national level to have that narrative. Remember how Ainge said Pierce was a star and not a superstar. Well that's Rondo right now. D. Rose might be a superstar - Rondo is just not there.

To get a negative national narrative you need to do something really abhorrent - or be REALLY great and do something wrong. Rondo like Pierce doesn't really fall into either catergory - and he could easily be traded.

There isn't nor should there be. The only negativity I ever hear nationally are just echoes of the local hate which is off the charts. It is still strange to me that a town that reveres players who never won anything - Gronk, Welker, Mankins - or guys with average talent like Trot Nixon, Pedroia, Scalabrine - would pile on so much hate on Rondo.

But the Rondo hate here on RealGM is off the charts for a guy who played with a dislocated elbow against a superstar who quit on his team in Cleveland because of tendinitis in his elbow. I get why some like yourself don't want him to get the max, but those who think the team was better without him are delusional with hate for the guy.