Great MacMullan article on Rondo's mental and physical struggles of this season

[Drucci]

Definitely a must-read in my opinion, Rondo opens up to MacMullan and we learn a lot of stuff about his struggles this year. The most interesting being a mysterious hand injury and the fact that his struggles got so bad that he didn't enjoy playing anymore at some point.

Here it is : http://sports.espn.go.com/boston/nba/columns/story?columnist=macmullan_jackie&id=6446036

And my favorite quote :

"I won't say that nobody can guard me, but when I'm looking at a guy, I don't really see the player in front of me,'' Rondo said. "I'm looking at the second line of the defense, because that's where I'm headed.

[ejk3489]

Great read from Jackie as usual, her articles are always very insightful. She seems like she's one of the few who get Rondo to open up.

Also this quote from RR is in line with what I've been thinking all along:

"I don't want to make excuses, but my body wasn't right,'' Rondo said. "It wasn't responding the way it always had. My game is speed, energy, and now you get a tweak in your ankle and that slows you down.

"My hands started hurting. It was almost like arthritis. Any little hit and they would just throb and throb. Then I had the plantar fasciitis, and that wouldn't go away, so you had all these nagging things that added up. I tried to play through it. Some days I did better than others.''

[scaryjerry]

For all his struggles, he had his best season and pre all star game was was having by far his best season.

thanks for the link TP

[footey]

Nice article, but thought it should have at least addressed rumor that Rondo was depressed over the Perkins trade. Not a mention.

[Kwhit10]

I do like when this team pushes the ball more, but I'm worried how that type of game caters to the Heat.

[Prof. Clutch]

Great article.  Jackie Mac has the unique ability to make all of the most introverted athletes open up.  She's so good.

[CelticG1]

I do like when this team pushes the ball more, but I'm worried how that type of game caters to the Heat.

I think we need to push the ball against them. Rondo is so key to doing that. Miami is certainly a much better defensive team in the half court, they are extremely athletic.

As long as we are efficient pushing the ball, where we don't turn it over a ton and we are converting on baskets than we should be fine.

Not going for offensive rebounds will limit Miami's transition game as well which will be huge. When we get all our guys back on D we are tough to get through

[j804]

Rondo is going to abuse the Heat 

[mc34]

That was great. I don't think I've ever heard Rondo open up to someone like that. Rondo sounds like he's got that killer mentality back. Time to take care of business

[RJ87]

Nice article, but thought it should have at least addressed rumor that Rondo was depressed over the Perkins trade. Not a mention.

I'm actually glad they didn't mention that rumor - I always thought the idea that Rondo was playing bad because he missed Perk was silly.

[xmuscularghandix]

Nice article, but thought it should have at least addressed rumor that Rondo was depressed over the Perkins trade. Not a mention.

I'm actually glad they didn't mention that rumor - I always thought the idea that Rondo was playing bad because he missed Perk was silly.

Agreed.

There was mention of Perk though...

Kendrick Perkins, his best friend who was traded to Oklahoma City in February, urged him to rediscover his passion for the game. Rondo countered the game wasn't fun for the first time in his life.