Rajon Rondo has not always been the most coachable player. It’s shown over the years since he’s left Boston, having played for four different teams in as many years since the Celtics decided to go in a different direction. However, that’s not to say he hasn’t been beloved by his teammates along the way.
In regards to the Bulls, there’s one player in particular who may be on the move himself who professed his admiration for the mercurial point guard and former Bull.
When asked about his former teammate last night, Nikola Mirotic joked at first that he “hated Rajon Rondo….”not because he’s hard to coach, hard to play with, or a malcontent, but because he’s “…such a good guy”–
“[Rajon Rondo] is such a good guy, such a good professional, does everything so right… he is the best teammate I ever had.”
“I’ve had some teammates or people that just showed up when something good was happening, not bad. He understood about sticking together and getting guys on the same page. I really love him for who he is. When [the Bulls] cut him [last summer], I was really disappointed because I wanted him on my team at least another year. But this is the NBA, and we’re all moving on.’’
“I learned a lot from Rajon… there’s no doubt that having him as a teammate has helped me [deal] with things, even this year.’’
Mirotic has been at the center of relationship problems all season, mostly stemming from the physical altercation with Bobby Portis which landed the power forward on the IR with broken facial bones and a concussion. Now, Mirotic is playing the best basketball of his career, yet will likely be traded before the Feb. 8 deadline.
Rajon Rondo was beloved by his Bulls teammates
Speaking to Mirotic’s praises, you may remember how Rondo rallied the troops and came to the baby Bulls’ aid last season. Acting as a glue piece after Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler essentially alienated themselves from the team, calling them out via Instagram and questioning their heart. Rondo stuck up for his guys by saying this publicly, soon after the former Bulls’ duo criticism of their younger teammates.
“It takes 1-15 to win. When you isolate everyone, you can’t win consistently. I may be a lot of things, but I’m not a bad teammate. My goal is to pass what I learned along. The young guys work. They show up. They don’t deserve blame. If anything is questionable, it’s the leadership”
Rondo also seemed to have the Bulls on track to upset his former team, the number one seed Boston Celtics, last season in round one of the Eastern Conference playoffs. Rondo led the Bulls to two straight wins and a 2-0 advantage to open the series. In game two he scored 11 points and dishing 14 assists to go along with 5 steals and 9 rebounds in game two. Then it was learned Rondo broke his finger during that flashback performance, and thus, in Rondo’s absence the Bulls would lose four straight games and the series.
