By Dave Holcomb
Come this fall, it will be a completely new slate for the Boston Celtics with Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett traded to Brooklyn and coach Doc Rivers leaving for the Clippers. Well, almost completely new slate.
Boston did retain point guard Rajon Rondo, the very man many speculated would be traded last season up until he suffered a season ending ACL injury. Rondo, who has seen his role grow each year since the Celtics won a championship in 2008, will now be the sole leader in Boston.
Some doubt that the ill-tempered Rondo can lead a competitive NBA team. The point guard is known for his cold personality that is hard to get along with at times.
But Rondo received a very strong endorsement from a former teammate in Paul Pierce on Monday. The former Celtic’s emphatic words should definitely reassure Boston fans.
“Rondo is one of the best players in the league,” said Pierce according to NBC Sports. “He’s a guy who can be the face of a franchise. He’s won a championship, he’s been an All-Star. There’s a lot of organizations who don’t even have a face of that caliber.
As if Pierce knew exactly what fans were thinking, he went on to address Rondo’s maturity debate.
“I definitely think he’s matured and can handle a lot,” said Pierce. “I talked to him and he’s ready for the challenge. He knows that it’s his team. He knows he has to be a leader, and from being around me and Kevin [Garnett] and seeing how we work.”
Certainly, this does not mean Boston will be ready to compete again immediately this season. Pierce, Garnett and coach Rivers are huge losses, but a nice endorsement from a now division rival never hurts.
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