Rajon Rondo: Celtics, Heat Are Not Rivals, But ‘I Still Don’t Like Those Guys’

Rajon Rondo doesn’t like LeBron James and the Miami Heat, which really isn’t much of a news flash. Yet he’s also realistic about where his Boston Celtics sit in the NBA hierarchy at the moment.

While Rondo has fiercely declared that he sets out to win every game, he is well aware that the shine has come off the Celtics-Heat rivalry of the last three years. With the Celtics mired near the bottom of the standings and the Heat surging toward a potential third consecutive NBA championship, Rondo admitted Tuesday night’s matchup probably won’t be like the blockbusters of recent memory.

“It’s not a rivalry,” Rondo told MassLive.com’s Jay King in Miami. “But I still don’t like those guys.”

Nothing personal, Dwyane Wade. Rondo’s not exactly fond of any player in a non-Celtics jersey.

“I don’t really like anybody I play against,” Rondo continued. “That’s just the type of attitude I approach the game with. It’s a business. It’s a game. We’re not friends on the court. Afterwards, it’s a different story, but while we’re playing, I’m trying to win.”

Rondo played the final 6 minutes, 48 seconds of Sunday’s loss to the Orlando Magic, finishing with 21:20 of court time in the game. That was a slight uptick from the 19:25 he logged in Friday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Expect the same tight leash, loosened only slightly if at all, when the Celtics take on Miami on Tuesday night.