Rondo's Immaturity Sparking Trade Talks

From the Boston Globe:

With Rajon Rondo's name continually popping up in trade rumors, Celtics president Danny Ainge spoke once again this morning about his point guard, stressing his value to the team while also saying "he's got to grow up in some places" and making other critical comments that didn't shed him in the best light.


Speaking this morning on WEEI's "Dennis and Callahan" program, Ainge said Rondo needed to take more of a leadership role and revealed the 23-year-old was fined for showing up late to a game.

"We expect him to play by the rules and be a leader as a point guard. We need him to be more of a leader," Ainge said. "There were just a couple situations where he was late this year, I don't know if he was sitting in his car, but showed up late and the rest of the team was there. We have team rules and you have to be on time. He was fined for being late, he said he was stuck in traffic, and it's just unacceptable."


This comes down to the Plaxico Burress debate. Should a star player get preferential treatment despite causing problems? The answer, of course, is yes, stars do get more leeway. Burress gets more chances than Andre Woodson. And Rondo should get more chances than Gabe Pruitt.

And let's face it, Rajon Rondo is a star on that Celtics team. In the playoffs, Rondo was one of Boston's best players, becoming the third head to the trifecta with Kevin Garnett out. Rondo was averaging a triple-double through the first round series with Chicago. Not to mention, he's an excellent defender. He came up with several big plays in big moments.

Does he have some weaknesses? Yes, but if the best point guard in the Eastern Conference can still improve, I would want him on my team going forward.


The trade rumor circulating today is Rondo and Brian Scalabrine to Memphis for Rudy Gay and Mike Conley. That makes more sense than the trade offered to Detroit a few days ago, but Boston gets fleeced in that deal.

Regardless if deals make sense or not, I'd want Rondo on my team any day, no matter how many people say he's immature.

The Knicks should definitely look into acquiring him. New York has the 8th and now possibly the 28th pick in the draft. Boston is dying to get back in the 1st round of the draft this year, so that could be doable. I'm sure Boston would want a veteran as well. They would probably ask for Wilson Chandler or David Lee, which definitely has to be considered.

His toughness is something that has been missing in New York for some time now. I'll point to the shot he put on Brad Miller and throwing Kirk Hinrich into the scorer's table in the Bulls series. The Knicks are soft. Rondo's aggressiveness and willingness to get physical would be contagious. Also his defense would be tops on this Knicks squad.

But I don't know if Boston would trade such a great player within the division.


--Max Caster