Rivers praises Rondo’s defense
As usual, the media filled Doc Rivers in on today’s award-related news concerning his own team. Rivers had no idea Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo were named to the league’s first and second All-Defensive teams respectively until he was told by a reporter a few minutes ago.
“Have I missed something again?” Rivers asked. “Oh that’s great. That’s terrific.”
Rivers didn’t spend much time talking about Garnett because the superstar is currently injured (though he did call him the best “team defender” in the league), but he did heap praise on Rondo.
“Rondo, especially this year, has really set the table for us,” said Rivers. “He’s one of the few guards in the league, along with Chris Paul, that have the ability to change the game at the point position. That’s not done very often.”
Rivers admitted he doesn’t take much stock in the awards, but he said he was surpised that Kendrick Perkins didn’t get much consideration.
“As good as we’ve been defensively, I’m still amazed at how little notice he gets for his individual defense,” said Rivers. “At his spot he’s one of the better defenders in our league.”
Rondo said he, too, was surprised at Perkins’s ommission, and said that Perkins actually deserved it more than he did.
“Who votes for that?” Rondo asked (it’s the coaches).
For his part, Rondo said he has improved at pick-and-roll defense. His goal, he said, is to pick up full-court for the entire season.
“You have to be in great shape for that,” said Rondo. “I’ll try to get to that one day in my career.”
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