Rondo Leads Celtics’ Charge Past Warriors, 109-95

When asked what sparked their latest victory, this time a 109-95 triumph over the Golden State Warriors on Wednsday night, Celtics power forward Kevin Garnett had a one-word answer.

“Rondo,” he said.

Rajon Rondo, the Celtics’ speedy point guard, tied a season-high with 18 points, and single-handedly took over the third quarter to guide the Celtics to their ninth win of the season. He scored 12 of his 18 points in the third quarter, adding 12 assists and seven rebounds for the game.

“He was terrific in the second half,” Boston coach Doc Rivers said. “He came out in the third quarter and played with unbelievable speed and energy.”

“That might be the only player in the league who can average a triple-double for a season,” Warriors center Mikki Moore said after the game, when he went to go visit the Boston locker room to say hello to his former teammates.

The Celtics also had Paul Pierce back on the court, after he missed a day of practice with a sore left knee. Pierce dropped in 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting, and added a decisive 3-pointer in the third quarter that extended the Celtics’ lead to 13.

Friday, November 20, 2009 at 8:37 pm by bryan

Celts bounce back from first loss in win over Nets

By Bud L. Ellis

One night after suffering their first loss of the season, the Boston Celtics reverted to the form that’s sparked their sizzling start to the 2009-10 season.

Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce each scored 16 points, and the Celtics grinded out a gritty 86-76 victory at New Jersey Saturday night, improving to 7-1 on the season.

After Phoenix ended Boston’s undefeated run with a 110-103 loss Friday night, Boston bounced back with a balanced effort. Seven Boston players scored eight points or more in the victory over New Jersey, and the Celtics sealed the deal with a strong defensive effort. In the fourth quarter, Boston held the Nets to just 15 points, outscoring New Jersey 27-12 during the final 12 minutes.

Next up for the Celtics are two home games this week. First, Utah comes calling on Wednesday. The Jazz are 2-4 on the season and have not yet won a road game. Friday, Boston plays host to the Hawks. Atlanta is 5-2 on the season and took the Celtics to seven games in the first round of the playoffs two seasons ago.

–30–

Monday, November 9, 2009 at 3:30 pm by bud

Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, National Basketball Association, New Jersey Nets, Paul Pierce, Phoenix Suns, Rajon Rondo, Utaz Jazz

Celtics, Rondo agree to deal

The Boston Celtics and point guard Rajon Rondo have agreed to a five-year contract worth $55 million.

The Celtics tried to shop Rondo around over the summer because of whispers about a questionable work ethic.

They found no takers and appeared to be ready to let Rondo walk to free agency as the two sides could not agree on a deal.

Rondo was ready to go to free agency, saying he had shut down negotiations with the team. Apparently, that was not the case.

Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 8:14 am by steve

NBA: No Action Against Rondo, Paul

The NBA has decided not to take action against Hornets PG Chris Paul or Celtics PG Rajon Rondo after the two had tensions boil over in their game on Sunday.

The league opened a formal review on Monday, after Paul and Rondo tussled under the basket during the second quarter, resulting in a technical foul from each player.

Tensions only escalated from there, as media reports from after the game cited Rondo as getting into a shouting match with Paul while the Hornets PG was shaking Celtics F Paul Pierce’s hand after the game.

Paul reportedly tried to follow Rondo back into the Celtics locker room, however, Celtics officials restricted Paul’s access. The AP story says that Hornets coach Byron Scott then came over to retrieve his point guard.

Via his Twitter feed Monday, Paul said: “… [Just] to clear this up I never came close to approaching the Celts locker room last [night]. Not sure where that’s coming from. Also me [and Celtics assistant coach Tom] Thibodeau never got in a shouting match. We talked. … [Too] much respect for him, crazy how it’s twisted.”

Rondo has made a point of not speaking about Paul since the incident. Paul, when asked about it, made a few comments that could be construed as snide, as he said that he would love to play with players the caliber of Pierce, G Ray Allen and PF Kevin Garnett. Paul’s tone potentially insinuated that Rondo may not be a great point guard, he simply has great options around him.

Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 8:16 pm by bryan

“Big Baby” Wants to Play in NFL Someday

Michael Jordan tried switching from basketball to baseball when his basketball career was over (the first time) in 1994. Fifteen years later, another NBA player has his eye on a potential league switch someday: Celtics forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

“I will try it,” said Davis. “When I become an All-Star in the NBA, when I become a great player in the NBA, then I’ll try football. One of my dreams has always been to play football.”

Davis is currently on the injured list for the next six weeks with a broken thumb that he sustained in a fight with a longtime friend of his. The Celtics were planning to suspend him, but ultimately decided that they wanted to have Davis remain part of the team, even while he recovers.

Davis is 6’9”, 290 lbs, and played both sides of the football field at University Laboratory High School in Baton Rouge, La., as a defensive end, a defensive tackle, and a tailback. He ultimately put his football cleats aside to play basketball at LSU, where he became an All-American and led the Tigers to the national championship game in 2006.

“I definitely could have made it to the NFL,” Davis said. He doesn’t have any preference on the position he would play, saying simply, “I just want to play.”

Davis signed a two-year, $6 million deal with the Celtics in August, but doesn’t see himself jumping to the NFL after this contract expires because he doesn’t expect to have completed all his basketball goals by then.

“No, we’ve got too many other great players in front of me — KG and Rasheed Wallace — for that to happen,” he said.

at 8:14 pm by bryan

League Reviews Paul/Rondo Spa

The NBA is reviewing Sunday night’s Celtics/Hornets game, as tensions flared between Celtics PG Rajon Rondo and Hornets PG Chris Paul all night long, even after the buzzer sounded.

Rondo and Paul became tangled under the basket during the second quarter and were each assessed a technical foul. The battle only grew fiercer from there, as tensions flared up after the Celtics had iced the Hornets with a 97-87 win.

The Boston Globe reports that Rondo approached Paul while he was exchanging post-game handshakes with Celtics forward Paul Pierce. Paul and Rondo reportedly started shouting at each other and had to be separated.

The Associated Press game story mentioned a post-game incident that featured Paul heading towards the Celtics locker room before being stopped by Celtics assistants.

Via his Twitter feed Monday, Paul said: “… [Just] to clear this up I never came close to approaching the Celts locker room last [night]. Not sure where that’s coming from. Also me [and Celtics assistant coach Tom] Thibodeau never got in a shouting match. We talked. … [Too] much respect for him, crazy how it’s twisted.”

Hornets coach Byron Scott provided some insight on what might have actually happened Sunday night:

“I think there comes a point in time in a game or even after a game when somebody says something to you, and the only thing I heard Chris say at the end of the game when we were walking off was that, ‘He’s going to respect me as a man,” Scott said. “So I don’t know what Rondo said, but obviously Chris took exception to it.”

Whether the two guards’ altercation results in discipline is yet to be seen.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 7:48 pm by bryan

Rondo Reaches Contract Deal at Last Minute

Point guard Rajon Rondo reportedly wants to be a Celtic for life. He’s booked for the next five years, at least.

Rondo and his agent Bill Duffy agreed in principle on Monday to a five-year deal with the Celts worth at least $55 million, despite Duffy going to the media early last week and ruling out all possibility of a deal getting done.

Duffy was looking for a deal that would have Rondo being paid like one of the top five point guards in the league, as the 23-year-old led the Celtics to their 17th championship in his second season in the NBA.

But the Celtics weren’t concerned about Rondo’s on court performance (as well they shouldn’t be – with Kevin Garnett sidelined by a knee injury in the playoffs last year, Rondo nearly averaged a triple-double in the seven-game epic series against the Chicago Bulls) – they were much more worried about Rondo’s role on the team off the court.

“They were candid and we understood,” said Rondo’s agent, Bill Duffy. “It was never about on the court. They wanted him to demonstrate being more of a leader, meshing with the team, being engaged in the locker room. Those issues have been squelched. I have to give a lot of credit to Ainge and Wyc. When there is an issue and you get it resolved, it’s like a cleansing.”

Had the two sides not come to an agreement on Monday, Rondo would have become a restricted free agent in 2010. Duffy called Celtics GM Danny Ainge on Sunday to inform him that Rondo was willing to play the season out without a deal, as he was not satisfied with the Celtics current offer; Ainge upped the stakes and Rondo agreed.

“There’s always the possibility that there would be more money in a free-agent situation, even though it’s harder for a restricted free agent,” Duffy said. “But because Rajon is in such an ideal situation, it was my responsibility to promote continuity.”

Now, the 3-0 Celtics have their point guard of the future locked up long-term, and can re-focus on their biggest goal of the season: hanging up an 18th championship banner in their rafters.

Monday, November 2, 2009 at 10:33 pm by bryan