Rajon Rondo Should Receive Warm Welcome In Return To Face Boston Celtics
By Kevin McHugh
@Mchughinthebean
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo will make his first appearance in Boston as a member of the Dallas Mavericks tonight. A rousing and emotional ovation can be expected from Boston Celtics fans.
This is the most monumental return to Boston since that of Paul Pierce last year as a member of the Brooklyn Nets. Although Rondo’s impact on the city is not as dear to fans as that of Pierce, he did play almost nine seasons with the franchise and was a major factor in the 2008 championship team.
Rondo’s personality is complicated. He is known to have butted heads with teammates and coaches. Many attribute Ray Allen‘s departure from Boston to his relationship with Rondo. Allen received mixed feelings upon his leaving and eventual return to the city as a member of the Miami Heat. These mixed feelings among fans can be attributed mostly to the fact that he went to the Celtics’ biggest rival at the time. It was the equivalent of a member of the Boston Red Sox going to the New York Yankees.
Rondo left Boston on good terms. After the dealing of Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Rondo was left with a garbage team. To his credit, he never really complained to the media about his situation. He habitually denied rumors that he wanted out of Boston — rumors which seemed to surface every couple of months.
Fans will not get overly emotional as they did when Pierce and Garnett returned. Celtics fans were crushed to see those two future Hall-of-Famers go, especially No. 34. Rondo’s departure was more expected and even desired by many fans. The future of the All-Star point guard is uncertain, but he certainly made an impact on the great sports town that is Boston, Mass.
Kevin McHugh is a Boston Celtics writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MchughintheBean or add him to your network on Google.
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