Rajon Rondo's Injured Knee

[Who]

That injury/knock seemed to happen during the Nets game.

Early in the second half when Rondo had to come out two minutes into the half. Immediately called over to Doc to take him out and put Arroyo in. Came back midway through the quarter.

He seemed to twist his knee somehow ... when changing his defensive stance after following Deron Williams through a screen ... and came up limping afterwards.

[SalmonAndMashedPotatoes]

Good video, thanks for posting it.

That said, I think it's inconclusive at best.  If I had to guess, he has some hamstring, glute or hip/ab flexor strain or pull in his right leg, and that's why he was getting up gingerly and stretching that same leg over and over.  I didn't see anything to suggest a knee injury.

As for last night's game, he did leave briefly in the 3rd quarter for what appeared to be a mild sprain of his left ankle. 

[mgent]

That injury/knock seemed to happen during the Nets game.

Early in the second half when Rondo had to come out two minutes into the half. Immediately called over to Doc to take him out and put Arroyo in. Came back midway through the quarter.

He seemed to twist his knee somehow ... when changing his defensive stance after following Deron Williams through a screen ... and came up limping afterwards.

I saw that play and he rolled his ankle.  I'm pretty sure he just came out to get re-taped.

[FLCeltsFan]

Don't forget that in this game he was leveled by a very hard screen by Humphreys and then later turned his ankle.  Either of these could have injured his knee a bit or be the reason for his limp. 

[kozlodoev]

I see. I was also at the game, I was getting food, got back to my seat and just caught Rondo heading to the locker room. Still don't know what actually happened (I did just come back lol), but no doubt I was worried.

If Delonte's really gonna be back Wednesday, then good. Give Rondo some more rest, it's clear between him going to the locker room and that video that this injury is bothering him, and I can understand why he's not willing to go to the hoop as much.

He tweaked an ankle, got re-taped. That's probably what was bothering him, not the knee.

[popcontest]

He tweaked an ankle, got re-taped. That's probably what was bothering him, not the knee.

I think it is pretty clear from the video that it is his knee (possibly his hammy) that is bothering him...

[clover]

Thanks for the video.  Looks to me as if the ankle's a little stiff, nothing too bad.  Not the knee.

Also looks like Baby packed on a few in his time off.

[kozlodoev]

He tweaked an ankle, got re-taped. That's probably what was bothering him, not the knee.

I think it is pretty clear from the video that it is his knee (possibly his hammy) that is bothering him...

Frankly, absolutely nothing is _pretty clear_. Midway through the video he's standing up without any visible pain.

Sure, he stretches his leg and hobbles a bit later on, but that can be just about anything, including simple soreness from sitting for a long while. I didn't see him "massaging" his knee, he just kept his hand in his general knee area.

[celticinorlando]

then sit him. with west back boston can afford to sit him a few games

[Capricious]

In 8 of the last 10 games, Rondo has failed to reach the FT line.  Hes either hurt, or afraid to get hurt.

[droopdog7]

FYI, Doc came out this morning and indicated that Rondo was NOT injured.  This was my feeling after reading KG's quote, where he said that everybody was hurt this time of year.

[Chris]

FYI, Doc came out this morning and indicated that Rondo was NOT injured.  This was my feeling after reading KG's quote, where he said that everybody was hurt this time of year.

And by indicating, I am assuming you mean, said very blatently that he is not injured, and he is just playing badly.  When asked about KG's comments, Doc simply said KG was wrong. 

It is interesting.  My guess is the truth is somewhere in between.  This is all purely speculation, but my guess is KG was trying to protect Rondo a bit, and get the press and fans off his back by saying he was injured, and Doc disagreed with doing that.  I think Doc did not like excuses being made for Rondo (whether he is injured or not), and felt that he needs to take responsibility for his play. 

Doc does a lot of teaching with these young guys, and some of it is with things like that.  He knows how important it is for players to feel that pressure to perform, and not make excuses about it. 

My personal guess is that Rondo is being bothered by injuries, just like every other player in the league at this time of year.  The thing is, he is not so hurt that he can't play, and when you are on the floor, being "hurt" cannot be an excuse.  Once you start thinking that it can be an excuse, then you start complaining about how bad your elbow hurts, right as you are getting ready to play one of the biggest series of your career.

[pengaloo]

FYI, Doc came out this morning and indicated that Rondo was NOT injured.  This was my feeling after reading KG's quote, where he said that everybody was hurt this time of year.

And by indicating, I am assuming you mean, said very blatently that he is not injured, and he is just playing badly.  When asked about KG's comments, Doc simply said KG was wrong. 

It is interesting.  My guess is the truth is somewhere in between.  This is all purely speculation, but my guess is KG was trying to protect Rondo a bit, and get the press and fans off his back by saying he was injured, and Doc disagreed with doing that.  I think Doc did not like excuses being made for Rondo (whether he is injured or not), and felt that he needs to take responsibility for his play. 

Doc does a lot of teaching with these young guys, and some of it is with things like that.  He knows how important it is for players to feel that pressure to perform, and not make excuses about it. 

My personal guess is that Rondo is being bothered by injuries, just like every other player in the league at this time of year.  The thing is, he is not so hurt that he can't play, and when you are on the floor, being "hurt" cannot be an excuse.  Once you start thinking that it can be an excuse, then you start complaining about how bad your elbow hurts, right as you are getting ready to play one of the biggest series of your career.

KG doesn't seem like the type to make excuses and I don't think Rondo needs to be taught to not make excuses. My guess is that Doc is trying to protect Rondo by emphasizing that he is not hurt. Otherwise, opposing teams, knowing that Rondo isn't 100%, would do more to take advantage of Rondo's injuries. They'd make a bigger edfort to have him run over tons of picks, set hard screens to knock him on the floor, attack him off the dribble, etc.

[BballTim]

FYI, Doc came out this morning and indicated that Rondo was NOT injured.  This was my feeling after reading KG's quote, where he said that everybody was hurt this time of year.

And by indicating, I am assuming you mean, said very blatently that he is not injured, and he is just playing badly.  When asked about KG's comments, Doc simply said KG was wrong. 

It is interesting.  My guess is the truth is somewhere in between.  This is all purely speculation, but my guess is KG was trying to protect Rondo a bit, and get the press and fans off his back by saying he was injured, and Doc disagreed with doing that.  I think Doc did not like excuses being made for Rondo (whether he is injured or not), and felt that he needs to take responsibility for his play. 

Doc does a lot of teaching with these young guys, and some of it is with things like that.  He knows how important it is for players to feel that pressure to perform, and not make excuses about it. 

My personal guess is that Rondo is being bothered by injuries, just like every other player in the league at this time of year.  The thing is, he is not so hurt that he can't play, and when you are on the floor, being "hurt" cannot be an excuse.  Once you start thinking that it can be an excuse, then you start complaining about how bad your elbow hurts, right as you are getting ready to play one of the biggest series of your career.

  This was in yesterday's herald:

  "Instead, Rajon Rondo [stats]’s play has dropped off dramatically. Part of the reason is injury, specifically his creaky ankles. Part, too, is that he’s simply not playing well."

  And this was in the Globe:

  "After Monday’s 88-79 loss at New Jersey, Rondo sat with his feet soaking in ice, attempting to calm his plantar fasciitis and sprained right ankle while pondering his recent struggles."

  I don't think Rondo's been trying to use injuries as an excuse for his play, and I don't think that plantar fasciitis really falls into the  category of "being bothered by injuries, just like every other player in the league at this time of year". I also think it's a more likely reason for his struggles than laziness/indifference/depression over Perk/lack of confidence/substance abuse or most of the other theories you see here, or the thought that he's always been this bad. I don't recall similar speculation about KG or Paul or Ray when they played poorly for fairly long stretches last year other than old age.

[Chris]

FYI, Doc came out this morning and indicated that Rondo was NOT injured.  This was my feeling after reading KG's quote, where he said that everybody was hurt this time of year.

And by indicating, I am assuming you mean, said very blatently that he is not injured, and he is just playing badly.  When asked about KG's comments, Doc simply said KG was wrong. 

It is interesting.  My guess is the truth is somewhere in between.  This is all purely speculation, but my guess is KG was trying to protect Rondo a bit, and get the press and fans off his back by saying he was injured, and Doc disagreed with doing that.  I think Doc did not like excuses being made for Rondo (whether he is injured or not), and felt that he needs to take responsibility for his play. 

Doc does a lot of teaching with these young guys, and some of it is with things like that.  He knows how important it is for players to feel that pressure to perform, and not make excuses about it. 

My personal guess is that Rondo is being bothered by injuries, just like every other player in the league at this time of year.  The thing is, he is not so hurt that he can't play, and when you are on the floor, being "hurt" cannot be an excuse.  Once you start thinking that it can be an excuse, then you start complaining about how bad your elbow hurts, right as you are getting ready to play one of the biggest series of your career.

  This was in yesterday's herald:

  "Instead, Rajon Rondo [stats]’s play has dropped off dramatically. Part of the reason is injury, specifically his creaky ankles. Part, too, is that he’s simply not playing well."

  And this was in the Globe:

  "After Monday’s 88-79 loss at New Jersey, Rondo sat with his feet soaking in ice, attempting to calm his plantar fasciitis and sprained right ankle while pondering his recent struggles."

  I don't think Rondo's been trying to use injuries as an excuse for his play, and I don't think that plantar fasciitis really falls into the  category of "being bothered by injuries, just like every other player in the league at this time of year". I also think it's a more likely reason for his struggles than laziness/indifference/depression over Perk/lack of confidence/substance abuse or most of the other theories you see here, or the thought that he's always been this bad. I don't recall similar speculation about KG or Paul or Ray when they played poorly for fairly long stretches last year other than old age.

Like I said, its probably somewhere in between.  I wouldn't say he is injured, because injured players don't play.  But I certainly think he is dealing with bumps and bruises (and I would consider plantar fascitis...if he can play through it...in that category). 

But, the way Doc vehemently denied he was injured this morning, to me, it was very clear that he was trying to make a point.  I don't believe for a second that Rondo is 100%, but for some reason, Doc wanted to make it clear that he is simply playing poorly, and its not all just because of an injury.  To me, it sounded like he was just calling Rondo out, to try to get him to play better.