[Yahoo] Rajon Rondo targeting January 17th for return

Little General · Jan 10, 2014

Although I'm not a Celtic fan, I'm excited to see an allstar PG back in the league

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rajon-rondo-s-target-date-for-return-220701943.html

SAN FRANCISCO – Rajon Rondo is targeting the Boston Celtics' Jan. 17 home game against the Los Angeles Lakers for his possible season debut, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Rondo, who had season-ending surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament nearly a year ago, didn't specify a date for his return, but said his knee – and confidence – are strong. His only concern is regaining his conditioning.

"It's just a humbling experience," Rondo said during the Celtics' shootaround on Friday morning.

Rondo had the surgery on Feb. 13, 2013. He was cleared to practice on Dec. 13 and has been working out without any swelling in his knees, including an extensive long practice in Denver on Monday.

Rondo said he could play limited minutes, but his conditioning needs to improve. He was initially concerned about a "clicking" in his right knee during practice, but his doctor and former Celtics teammates Tony Allen and Kendrick Perkins, who have both had knee surgeries, told him it was normal. Rondo will wear a knee brace covered by a sleeve when he returns.

Rondo had initially considered a rehab assignment with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics' D-League affiliate. A possible return against the Lakers gives him another week to improve his conditioning.

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Rajon Rondo hasn't played since having season-ending surgery on Feb. 13, 2013. (USA Today)
"I feel like I'm ready now, but I'm not in shape," he said. "I can go out there and I can give the team 10 minutes. I want to be productive out there. I don't want to limp or drag behind because of my cardio. That would be hurting the team.
"I don't want to be selfish and go out there and not be able to go up and down every possession and give it all I got. That's what I can't do right now."

Rondo is the last player left from the Celtics' 2008 NBA championship team still on the roster. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets last offseason. Coach Doc Rivers departed to the Los Angeles Clippers. Perkins, Tony Allen and Ray Allen have also been gone for a while.

Pierce recently told Yahoo Sports that he doesn't feel sorry for Rondo because he is now the face of the Celtics. While there has been trade speculation swirling around Rondo for years, he says he is in a "great situation," likes new coach Brad Stevens and wants to be in Boston long-term.

"I don't really judge what everybody else did," Rondo said. "I've been in this situation for a long time. I don't really like change. I'm comfortable with the staff and the players. Coach and I are great, and we talk back and forth a lot."

The Celtics enter Friday night's game at Golden State with a 13-23 record and six straight losses. When asked why he would want to stay with a rebuilding Celtics franchise, Rondo answered: "Why would I not want to be? I talked to a lot of people, not necessarily about leaving, but my situation and how fortunate it is. It's a great situation for me. I'm taking another step into a leadership role."

Rondo said he has had his share of emotional days since having knee surgery, but the hardest part has been watching games from the sideline.

"It's boring sitting over there," he said. "It's boring especially feeling like you can play. This is the game you love. It's a game I've dominated."
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Juxtaposed Jolt · Jan 10, 2014

I'm hoping he plays hard, and doesn't check out because everything is new (players, coaches, system.)

By now though, I'm sure he's bought in to Stevens' system though.

Little General · Jan 10, 2014

Juxtaposed Jolt said: ↑

I'm hoping he plays hard, and doesn't check out because everything is new (players, coaches, system.)

By now though, I'm sure he's bought in to Stevens' system though.
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I think he has bought into the system cus he kinda helped develop it with the coach, if I remember correctly.

Little General · Jan 15, 2014

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics">@celtics</a>: The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned guard Rajon Rondo to the Maine Red Claws: <a href="http://t.co/hnTTtzI02U">http://t.co/hnTTtzI02U</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/statuses/423507650949955584">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

RMGEEGEE · Jan 15, 2014

Little General said: ↑

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics">@celtics</a>: The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned guard Rajon Rondo to the Maine Red Claws: <a href="http://t.co/hnTTtzI02U">http://t.co/hnTTtzI02U</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/statuses/423507650949955584">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Misleading tweet.

He's being assigned for a workout and then being pulled back to the Celtics once finished.

CasaDolce · Jan 15, 2014

Little General said: ↑

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics">@celtics</a>: The Boston Celtics announced today that they have assigned guard Rajon Rondo to the Maine Red Claws: <a href="http://t.co/hnTTtzI02U">http://t.co/hnTTtzI02U</a></p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA/statuses/423507650949955584">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Didn't last at all lol... I wonder if Rondo actually reported to MRC.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Boston Celtics announced today that they have recalled guard Rajon Rondo from the Maine Red Claws: <a href="http://t.co/5JKTg6R30J">http://t.co/5JKTg6R30J</a></p>— Boston Celtics (@celtics) <a href="https://twitter.com/celtics/statuses/423534391134932992">January 15, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

YallMean · Jan 15, 2014

Rondo will be leading a tank squad.

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[Yahoo] Rajon Rondo targeting January 17th for return

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