David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo Latest Former Celtic to Spend Time with C's
As the then president of basketball operations, Danny Ainge, orchestrated the trade to bring Kevin Garnett to Boston, the future Basketball Hall of Famer implored Ainge to exclude Rajon Rondo from the deal.
Perhaps that's where working with the Minnesota Timberwolves president of basketball operations and former teammate Kevin McHale paid the most dividends.
Rondo established that with him, Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, the Celtics were working with a big four. The quartet led the franchise to Banner 17 in 2008, its most recent championship.
As Joe Mazzulla restores the proud tradition of former players connecting with the current team, Pierce, Eddie House, Tom "Satch" Sanders, and Sam Vincent are among those who have spent time at the Auerbach Center during training camp and the preseason.
Friday, Rondo made the trip, saying he got a "great email" from Mazzulla, followed by Pierce calling him at about 3 a.m., conveying how much he enjoyed his trip and encouraging his former teammate to do the same.
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The former Kentucky Wildcat marveled at the Auerbach Center, Boston's state-of-the-art practice facility, calling it "one of the best I've ever been in," then jokingly adding, "playing for all 16 teams I played for in my career."
For the record, he played for nine.
The two-time NBA champion, one of the most cerebral players of his era, also told Inside The Celtics he plans to get into coaching at some point.
"I love teaching the game. Right now, I have a young AAU program with my son's team. I coach at that level. I want to dedicate my time to him. I want to get him off to a great start. (And) my daughter's in volleyball. I'm not an expert (in) coaching that, but I do study that game as well and try to put her in the right positions as well to get a scholarship. So, coaching is in the future. I want to come here this week and learn from Joe and pick up as much knowledge as I can from him and the rest of the staff and just kind of learn."
And when it comes to imparting his wisdom on Boston's current team, Rondo plans to "let it come naturally; nothing predetermined. I don't know exactly what I'm gonna say to those guys. And if they want my input, I'm willing to give it. If they want my advice, I'm gonna help as much as possible. But I don't want to come in as a guy that knows it all or thinks I'm gonna give them so much advice. I'm gonna let it come natural."
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He's also glad to see a familiar face on the roster, sharing that the newest member of the Celtics' backcourt, Jrue Holiday, who Rondo played with on the New Orleans Pelicans, is "one of my favorite teammates I've ever played with."
Further Reading
Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Hornets: Boston's Ready for Regular Season
Here's What Jayson Tatum Praises Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla For
Jayson Tatum on Working with Sam Cassell: ‘It’s Been Great'
Celtics Embracing Sacrifice in Championship Pursuit: 'Have to Buy into That'
The Latest on Celtics' Extension Talks with Derrick White
Al Horford Shares Where Kristaps Porzingis Has Impressed Him Most
Under Joe Mazzulla, Celtics Rebuilding Brotherhood Between Past and Present
