Ragin’ Rondo
As Rajon Rondo goes, so go the Celtics.
Rondo had 11 points, 7 assists, and 5 steals against the Pistons tonight. More importantly, he outplayed veteran Chauncey Billups, he of many Eastern Conference and NBA Finals appearances.
“I thought that at the beginning of the year when we played them, that [Rondo] was one of the most improved players in the league,” said Pistons coach Flip Saunders.
When Celtics coach Doc Rivers was asked if he needed to remind Rondo to play like this more often, Rivers said he’s been doing that all season.
“I’m never going to forget that this is his second year,” said Rivers. “I just keep that focus. I understand that. I believe in him. I play him. I’m going to keep playing him. I told him before the game, ‘Stop the worrying about them. Let them worry about you, too. You’re a hell of a basketball player.’”
In his first action since suffering a hamstring injury in Game 3 against the Magic on May 7, Billups struggled for 9 points and 2 assists. He was asked if he thought the injury had any effect on his play.
“I felt good,” Billups said, “It was good just getting back out there. Obviously my explosiveness wasn’t really there. But I felt good, I was happy to be out there, and I know I did better as the game went along.”
Said Rivers, “I think he’s healthy and I think he’s 100 percent. But when you sit out that many games or that many days in a row, without having an exhibition game, and you come back and your first game is a playoff game, that’s difficult. He’ll keep getting better. We understand that.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com