Rajon Rondo might be developing a bit of a reputation within NBA circles when it comes to dealing with referees. According to one former NBA official, that could be quite a problem for the Celtics point guard.
Controversial ex-ref Tim Donaghy joined the Dennis and Callahan Show on WEEI on Monday morning to talk about Rondo, who could be facing a suspension after being ejected for bumping referee Marc Davis late in the Celtics' Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night.
According to Donaghy, Rondo's reputation among NBA referees may be taking a beating with this latest incident. Rondo was also suspended for two games earlier this season for throwing a ball at a referee.
"I think definitely he does," Donaghy responded when asked if Rondo was building a poor reputation among the officials. "Depending on what type of referee is on the floor that night, they're all gonna seek out and be the guy that T'd him up and call their buddy the next day and say 'I got the S.O.B. for you for the last time you gave him a hard time."
If there is anyone who was going to get on Rondo's case and go after him, it would be Davis, Donaghy claimed.
"Definitely Marc Davis is one of those guys who have rabbit ears for certain people," Donaghy said. "He's a referee who think people pay for the ticket to come and see him. He's one of those guy who have a little bit of an ego."
Davis' history with the Celtics may have played a role, too.
"It's not the first time that Marc Davis has had a history with some of the Boston players. I'm sure again there's a history there," added Donaghy.
Be that as it may, Donaghy also said that there was no doubt in his mind that Rondo intentionally bumped Davis. That by itself would earn Rondo an automatic one-game suspension, but Donaghy seemed to think that Rondo's growing reputation (specifically the ball-throwing incident earlier in the year) could earn the point guard a two-game suspension.
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