Rajon Rondo targets Jan 17 Laker game for his return

[j804]

SAN FRANCISCO – Rajon Rondo is targeting the Boston Celtics' Jan. 17 home game against the Los Angeles Lakers for his possible season debut, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Rondo, who had season-ending surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament nearly a year ago, didn't specify a date for his return, but said his knee – and confidence – are strong. His only concern is regaining his conditioning.

"It's just a humbling experience," Rondo said during the Celtics' shootaround on Friday morning.

Rondo had the surgery on Feb. 13, 2013. He was cleared to practice on Dec. 13 and has been working out without any swelling in his knees, including an extensive long practice in Denver on Monday.

Rondo said he could play limited minutes, but his conditioning needs to improve. He was initially concerned about a "clicking" in his right knee during practice, but his doctor and former Celtics teammates Tony Allen and Kendrick Perkins, who have both had knee surgeries, told him it was normal. Rondo will wear a knee brace covered by a sleeve when he returns.

Rondo had initially considered a rehab assignment with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics' D-League affiliate. A possible return against the Lakers gives him another week to improve his conditioning.

"I feel like I'm ready now, but I'm not in shape," he said. "I can go out there and I can give the team 10 minutes. I want to be productive out there. I don't want to limp or drag behind because of my cardio. That would be hurting the team.
"I don't want to be selfish and go out there and not be able to go up and down every possession and give it all I got. That's what I can't do right now."

Rondo is the last player left from the Celtics' 2008 NBA championship team still on the roster. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets last offseason. Coach Doc Rivers departed to the Los Angeles Clippers. Perkins, Tony Allen and Ray Allen have also been gone for a while.

Pierce recently told Yahoo Sports that he doesn't feel sorry for Rondo because he is now the face of the Celtics. While there has been trade speculation swirling around Rondo for years, he says he is in a "great situation," likes new coach Brad Stevens and wants to be in Boston long-term.

"I don't really judge what everybody else did," Rondo said. "I've been in this situation for a long time. I don't really like change. I'm comfortable with the staff and the players. Coach and I are great, and we talk back and forth a lot."

The Celtics enter Friday night's game at Golden State with a 13-23 record and six straight losses. When asked why he would want to stay with a rebuilding Celtics franchise, Rondo answered: "Why would I not want to be? I talked to a lot of people, not necessarily about leaving, but my situation and how fortunate it is. It's a great situation for me. I'm taking another step into a leadership role."

Rondo said he has had his share of emotional days since having knee surgery, but the hardest part has been watching games from the sideline.

"It's boring sitting over there," he said. "It's boring especially feeling like you can play. This is the game you love. It's a game I've dominated."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rajon-rondo-s-target-date-for-return-220701943.html

[nickagneta]

Will good to see Rondo again. BTW Rondo, the only way to get into NBA game shape, is to play in those games.

[celtic -_- pride]

love it. sounds ready to play. say what you want about rondo but you can never question his heart. rondo is a championship player, he belongs on a contender, the celtics will be contenders sooner rather than later. Check the standings, it's all going according to plan. Rondo is an absolute competitor, gotta love it

[D.o.s.]

Excellent.

[BleedGreen1989]

Man, been almost an entire year.

Can't wait to see Rajon back.

(Wonder how quick until posts start popping up discussing Rajon's inevitable rust?
"Trade him now! He'll never be the same!")

[get_banners]

exciting news, though given what happened with rose, westbrook, and kobe, i'm wary of rondo playing until he's really 100%. maybe he already is. but the other guys all said they were, too. at the very least, i really hope he's not playing heavy minutes until around the all-star break. that gives him a month or so to get into basketball shape.

[LarBrd33]

I thought he'd return Jan 26th vs the Nets, because it would give Ainge a total of 10 games to showcase Rondo and prove he's healthy.

This works better... he can have 6 games to shake off the rust and then another 10 to get his trade value in order right in time for a deadline deal.

Alternatively, he could be a total disaster out there (like Rose this year) and then reinjure himself (like Rose this year).  We'll see what happens.

[GreenWarrior]

bye, bye rondo.

[Celtics4ever]

He comes back and get hurt or sucks and he will go nowhere.  Be careful what you wish for Rondo haters we could be stuck with a mangled Rondo with no suitors.   You better be praying he owns when he comes back and then you risk that Ainge might keep him.  Think hard on that folks.   

I do not think this is to showcase him.  We are on a losing streak.   This might halt the bleeding.

[Celtics18]

I thought he'd return Jan 26th vs the Nets, because it would give Ainge a total of 10 games to showcase Rondo and prove he's healthy.

This works better... he can have 6 games to shake off the rust and then another 10 to get his trade value in order right in time for a deadline deal.

Alternatively, he could be a total disaster out there (like Rose this year) and then reinjure himself (like Rose this year).  We'll see what happens.

Brilliant.  That sums up the possibilities, nicely; either Rondo get re-injured or he gets traded.

Or, he could play great, be a leader out there, help his team and his teammates, and get re-signed as a long term Celtic once his contract comes up for re-negotiation . . . oh, forget it,  my scenario is just ridiculous optimism . . .

[D.o.s.]

Either way, it'll be nice to argue about something concrete, rather than conjecture.

[LarBrd33]

I thought he'd return Jan 26th vs the Nets, because it would give Ainge a total of 10 games to showcase Rondo and prove he's healthy.

This works better... he can have 6 games to shake off the rust and then another 10 to get his trade value in order right in time for a deadline deal.

Alternatively, he could be a total disaster out there (like Rose this year) and then reinjure himself (like Rose this year).  We'll see what happens.

Brilliant.  That sums up the possibilities, nicely; either Rondo get re-injured or he gets traded.

Or, he could play great, be a leader out there, help his team and his teammates, and get re-signed as a long term Celtic once his contract comes up for re-negotiation . . . oh, forget it,  my scenario is just ridiculous optimism . . .

Yeah that's true... that' possible too...



Not but really... I say it's a 50/50 chance he gets traded.  If someone bites, Ainge will go for it.  If they don't, we'll just hang onto him.  We're not going to give him away for peanuts.  It has to be a trade that makes sense for our long-term future... the view 5 years from now.

[Celtics18]

Anyway, TP to J804 for posting that fantastic news.  I'm feeling giddy as a schoolboy on Christmas morning.

This is very exciting!!

[BASS_THUMPER]

I heard February
but u always misinterpreted things when your

*sippin*

[TheBig3]

Just ruined Felger & Mazz's weekend