Rajon Rondo explains why Lakers title, not Celtics, was more special to him
Rondo's only ever championship parade was in Boston, but he got to share his second title with his son.
Rajon Rondo was a beloved figure in Boston during his nine-year tenure with the Celtics. His crowning moment, of course, came in 2008, when Rondo sported an NBA championship ring for the first time in his career.
Eventually, Rondo was able to add another ring to his finger, only this time with Boston’s rival Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.
Interestingly enough, Rondo called his Lakers ring “more special” than his first NBA title with the Celtics. And while that might make a few longtime Boston fans wince, his reasoning is commendable.
“At that particular time I won it in 2020, my son was in the bubble with me,” Rondo said in an appearance on The Draymond Green Show. “And that made it a little more special winning it in 2020.”
Rondo’s son was born in 2012, and missed most of Rondo’s formative years with the Celtics. Still, Rondo has a very fond memory of what it was like to win in the city of Boston.
“You can’t compare the two honestly because, in 2020, we were in the bubble, so we didn’t get a parade,” Rondo said. “So I’ve only had one parade, and that was the most amazing thing that’s happened to me in basketball. That type of love and reaction to see the fans … to be a part of it, to get on a duck boat and go on a tour, was amazing.”
The two-time NBA champion is clearly still proud to be a Celtic, and prior to last season, he visited the current Celtics to give some words of wisdom gathered over his 15-year career.
It’s possible Rondo isn’t done winning championships, either. Though his playing days are over, Rondo has expressed a level of interest in coaching. And his old coach, Doc Rivers, thinks he’d fit in perfectly as an NBA coach.
Rondo agreed that he’d love to get into coaching, but added on the podcast that he’d also enjoy working in a front office.
“I want to mess with the front office, too,” Rondo said. “I want to do some internship. I’m going to call Danny [Ainge] eventually. Get one of my guys that believed in me from day one. Just guys in the front office, I want to get around and pick their brain, see it from that side.
“But I definitely love teaching the game, and I would love to win as both a GM and a coach.”
Rondo has had a strong network around the NBA since his playing days. His ties with the Celtics and Lakers are, of course, undeniable. He also has ties to the Milwaukee Bucks, where Rivers currently coaches, as well as the Utah Jazz, where Ainge currently resides in the front office.
When the time is right, and the role is right, it appears Rondo will have plenty of opportunities to win another title for whichever city he lands in next.
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