Pierce: Rondo can be the face of the franchise

[sed522002]

Pierce said he relayed some strong messages about how Rondo should conduct himself as team leader.

“Without question [he can be the man in Boston],” Pierce said. “I’ve already talked to Rajon; Rajon’s mature. People talk about the relationship with Doc [Rivers], and they probably had their best years over the last two years. So I don’t think that was a reason for Doc leaving. I’ve heard that, but that wasn’t a reason for Doc not coming back.

“Rondo is one of the best players in the league. He’s a guy who can be the face of a franchise. He’s won a championship, he’s been an All-Star. There’s a lot of organizations who don’t even have a face of that caliber.

“I definitely think he’s matured and can handle a lot. I talked to him and he’s ready for the challenge. He knows that it’s his team. He knows he has to be a leader, and from being around me and Kevin [Garnett] and seeing how we work.”

With Pierce and Garnett gone, Rondo will take on much of the responsibility of keeping the Celtics respectable. But Pierce said Rondo needs assistance from teammates such as Jeff Green, who may capitalize on Pierce and Garnett not being there.

“Rondo’s got to understand he’s got to put responsibility on some of the other guys,” Pierce said. “Maybe like a Brandon Bass or some of the older players. It’s hard when it comes from just one guy. There’s got to be other guys who command respect on the team, that help out with that role.”

Pierce has given Rondo some great advice on leading this team and it's coming from the best person because at one point he was like Rondo (maturity and leadership being questioned by franchise and media). He dealt with the scrutiny, but matured to the Pierce that we know now.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2013/08/18/sunhoop/lkkl3Gl1vcWo9hA3HESAPN/story.html

[D.o.s.]

For better or Worse, Rondo is the face of our franchise right now.

[Celtics18]

My favorite part of that Pierce interview is where he says his goal is to outlast Duncan, Kobe, Dirk, and KG. 

It really hurts that it won't be as a Celtic.  I'll still root for him, though.  I don't think I'll be able to help that. 

[Clench123]

From one legend to the other in the making. 

Rondo's the face of the franchise right now and I hope for a very long time

[blink]

Part of me really hopes that the Nets just fall apart and have a terrible season, and that PP signs a 2 year contract at a discounted rate to be JG's backup.  I know that is far fetched...but still.

[scaryjerry]

I like how he still generally cares about rondo and the Celtics going forward even though he's now gone ....class act

[Vox_Populi]

I miss Pierce.

[manl_lui]

Pierce is always a Celtic...he may be in Brooklyn now, but he is still a C by heart!

Good stuff, hope Rondo is up for the challenge.

[csfansince60s]

Part of me really hopes that the Nets just fall apart and have a terrible season, and that PP signs a 2 year contract at a discounted rate to be JG's backup.  I know that is far fetched...but still.

Is it OK with that same part of you that wants the Nets to fall apart that the cHeat have an easier path to the title, because that is what'll happen should that part of you get its wish.

Just askin', cause every part of me will route forever for Pierce and KG over the likes of Judas, thug Wade and LeBroid...but that's just me.

[blink]

Part of me really hopes that the Nets just fall apart and have a terrible season, and that PP signs a 2 year contract at a discounted rate to be JG's backup.  I know that is far fetched...but still.

Is it OK with that same part of you that wants the Nets to fall apart that the cHeat have an easier path to the title, because that is what'll happen should that part of you get its wish.

Just askin', cause every part of me will route forever for Pierce and KG over the likes of Judas, thug Wade and LeBroid...but that's just me.

imo the Nets aren't stopping the heat.  it will need to be some other team, probably from the west.

and no, I don't hate the heat more than I would want PP back on the C's.  just sayin'

[pearljammer10]

Nice to see rondo getting the credit he deserves especially from a talented legend like Pierce who had several underrated years of his own.

[blink]

Yes, it was good to hear the support from PP for Rondo.  Also good to hear the 'Doc-hates-Rondo' as debunked as a reason why Doc left.

[wdleehi]

Part of me really hopes that the Nets just fall apart and have a terrible season, and that PP signs a 2 year contract at a discounted rate to be JG's backup.  I know that is far fetched...but still.

I want to see them fall apart so the Celtics get better draft picks. 


I want Kidd to be head coaching failure.  (I can root against someone who has a history of abusing his wife)



I want Williams and Johnson to regress more. 


I want KG to decide during training camp that he really doesn't want to give it another go and retires. 

[blink]

Part of me really hopes that the Nets just fall apart and have a terrible season, and that PP signs a 2 year contract at a discounted rate to be JG's backup.  I know that is far fetched...but still.

I want to see them fall apart so the Celtics get better draft picks. 


I want Kidd to be head coaching failure.  (I can root against someone who has a history of abusing his wife)



I want Williams and Johnson to regress more. 


I want KG to decide during training camp that he really doesn't want to give it another go and retires.

ok, i be for all that as well....haha

[ScoobyDoo]

I want Brooklyn to be an absolutely crushing, bruising, dominating team that just "hands it" to Miami in the playoffs - and I mean ugly.

I want that more than I want the Nets to crash and burn so we get a good pick. We're going to be just fin on our rebuild.

I want Lopez, KG, Evans & Blatche to beat the crap out of Miami in the paint. I want to see Pierce and Kirilenko give LeBron fits. And I';d like to see Joe Johnson beat up on Wade in the post.

I just don't want to watch another Miami championship. I think San Antonio had it and just gave it away in game 6. I dont' want a repeat and I think if everything clicks in Brooklyn and they stay healthy, they can stick to Miami very nicely indeed.

The mental and physical toughness that Pierce and KG will bring to that team will make a lot of difference.


Aren't our picks from them after this year's draft anyway?