Rajon Rondo has a soft spot for Beantown.
Rondo, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks last month, spoke glowingly Friday of his eight-plus seasons with the Boston Celtics. The point guard fully expects his return to TD Garden on Friday night to be filled with emotion.
“I’ve said it a couple times this past week, I was very grateful to play for a sports organization like the Boston Celtics,” Rondo told reporters Friday after the Mavericks’ morning shootaround at the Garden. “It starts with (president of basketball operations) Danny (Ainge) and (co-owner) Wyc (Grousbeck) believing in me from Day 1 — (they) traded for me (at the 2006 NBA Draft). And then, obviously, the way the fans embraced me since I’ve been here since Day 1, it’s a very humbling experience. I’m glad I got to experience this in my life.”
Rondo had both highs and lows during his time in Boston. He won an NBA championship alongside Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Co. in 2008 but also navigated the organization through some rough times, most notably the last year and a half. The 28-year-old focused solely on the good times Friday, though, as it’s clear the trade rumors — and eventually last month’s trade — did little to cloud his bigger picture outlook.
“We won a championship,” Rondo told reporters while reflecting on his time in green. “We brought a championship back to Boston. I think it was (22) years and it was a special group of guys. I can’t wait for 20 years from now when they call us all back and we can come back and be embraced again by the fans.”
Rondo surely will be embraced Friday in his first game at the Garden since being traded to the Mavericks. As such, he sought the advice of Pierce, who told Rondo to keep blinking in an effort to avoid getting misty-eyed during whatever tribute the Celtics have planned.
Rondo isn’t sitting back with his new team. The Mavericks have high aspirations, and the four-time NBA All-Star definitely will be a key ingredient in whatever success Dallas has this season. He’s also playing for his next contract, though his focus currently is on hitting the ground running with his new squad.
“It’s a great situation (in Dallas), and Danny and Wyc could have sent me anywhere,” Rondo said. “But I think it showed the class these guys have to send me to an organization where, I’ve done a lot for this organization, and they didn’t just throw me on the back burner. They put me in a situation where I can still excel and obviously win a championship with this caliber team. I’m grateful for that situation.”
Rondo’s time with the Celtics wasn’t always pretty. But it sure was an unforgettable experience.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
