Robb: Rajon Rondo Reflects On Emotional Boston Homecoming
BOSTON (CBS) – For Celtics fans wondering just how great Rajon Rondo could still be after suffering a ACL tear back in 2013, the point guard left no doubt Friday night.
In an emotional return to the TD Garden, Rondo posted a laundry list of season-highs and career-highs while suiting up for the Dallas Mavericks in a 119-101 victory.
Rondo scored a season-high 29 points, took a season-high 19 shots and added a career-high five 3-pointers in a sensational shooting display that saw no. 9 hit jumpers from all over the court.
Once you throw in a Celtics tribute video and an inaugural homecoming after just getting traded a mere two weeks ago, it was quite the night for Rondo. After the game, the new Maverick reflected on the whirlwind the past 24 hours had been. Here are a few of the highlights from his lengthy postgame exchange with the media.
On the return to Boston: "Obviously it was a special day today. I'm emotionally tired, I'm physically tired, I'm drained right now. That was a tough game to get through, but my teammates came through for me and we got the win."
On hitting his first seven shots of the game: "I guess it was with me tonight. I shot here for about an hour and a half after shoot-around this morning; wanted to get a good feel for it. I've been here for nine years and tonight, my shot, outside shot, was going down a little bit tonight."
What went through his mind during the video tribute? "I just tried to stay focused. It was a big game and, it was already emotional enough, and I just wanted to stay locked-in and listen to Coach in the huddle and then obviously go out and say thank you to the fans. So I wasn't too keyed in on the video. You know, I watched, I seen a couple glimpses, but I was just trying to stay focused."
How tough was the game emotional for him: "You know, all around, it was a tough game. Give them a lot of credit; we were up 20 to 30 points and they never, never let loose. And I was already emotionally and physically drained, both, and I called a couple time-outs, well, not time-outs, but I called a couple subs for myself because it was a lot tonight. And like I said, my teammates came through, Monta made some big plays, you know, Tyson (Chandler), Dirk, they all made big plays for us and we were able to get the win. I don't think I've ever been this tired after a game before. It's even hard to talk to you guys right now; I'm tired."
Reaction from the Celtics and fanbase: "I mean, it's what I expected. Nothing less than what I was expecting. It's a class organization, classy fans, and a lot of respect for me and vice versa. So I didn't expect anything less and that's just what it is."
His goal for his careers moving forward: "I just want to win. I just want to win a championship. I've got to get to that feeling again and we have a great, talented group of guys in Dallas that I think we can do it, maybe one piece away.
Any encouragement for his former Celtics teammates: "Their future's bright. They're a very young team and a lot of hard-working guys over there. You know, stick with Avery (Bradley), listen to Gerald (Wallace), listen to Coach Stevens. You know, he's very positive. And he expects a lot out of the guys but he's the right coach for these young guys."
Playing with a bigger chip on his shoulder than ever before?: "I wouldn't say that. It's just – I'm very blessed to be playing basketball again. I took a long time off for my ACL injury and I think I took basketball for granted up to a certain point; being able to go out there every night and do what I love to do. So I don't know if I was able to show it as much here while I was a Celtic, but now, I say I'm still just very humbled and blessed to be playing basketball. Something I love to do every night. So I don't take it for granted, and this is how I play the game now."
Brian Robb covers the Celtics for CBS Boston and contributes to NBA.com, among other media outlets. You can follow him on Twitter @CelticsHub.
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