In a time when loyalty has become nothing more than empty rhetoric, when hearts that once sought glory now seek glamour, we must nurture what little true greatness that is left or risk losing the sport to greed and injustice.
Who comes to mind when we think of the greatest Celtics? Bill Russell, Dave Cowens, John Havlicek, Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, Paul Pierce. What do they all have in common? They grew up Celtics which shaped them into who they were as players. They were all at one point captains of the Celtics team who taught the younger players the true meaning of playing as a Boston Celtic.
Rondo is the next person in line to carry this torch passed down through generations. He's born and raised a Celtic in his professional career. If we trade him we lose the only young player with that intangible but very real thing made of heart, loyalty and common-sense defying greatness that has embodied all great Celtics throughout history.
Does Rondo have his faults? Of course. However, hasn't it always been the faults that made the Celtics so special? Bill Russell as dominant as he was, was undersized and was no where near the offensive force that Wilt Chamberlain was. Dave Cowens was too small, Kevin McHale was too lanky, Larry Bird was an average athlete, Paul Pierce is too slow... but they beat the bigger, more talented, stronger, more athletic players. That's what made them special. Rondo is the next in line. So what if he can't shoot? He will defy logic like all great Celtics to show once again that heart can overcome the odds.
What if Larry Bird demanded a trade to play with LA so he can win more rings? What if Bill Russell wanted to team up with Wilt? They would never think of doing such a ridiculous thing. Even though logic says they can win rings the heart says that's cowardice. Such an act would laugh at the spirit of hard work and competition. Chris Paul is a guy who would do that. He would make a mockery of the entire sport by wanting to team up with the very people he's competing with to try to get a ring without any real heart. It would be an insult to add a guy like him to this team even if it meant a ring or two.
A ring earned through the triumph of spirit and teamwork is a real ring. A collection of all-stars winning a ring against a lesser team is a mockery. Dallas did the NBA a huge favor last year by saving the NBA from becoming the laughing stock of all competitive sports. That is the job of the veterans.
We have to keep these immature children from thinking a ring is so easy as to join up with your all star friends in a big market. We can only hope that the young are not swayed by these so called "stars" and grow up right guidance. Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love, John Wall, we have to show them that loyalty and heart matters in order to save this sport. That a ring is a symbol of loyalty, heart and hard work. Not a symbol of greed and collusion. Otherwise what are we rooting for as fans?
