After tearing the ACL in his right knee during a 123-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, the Celtics announced yesterday that All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo is out for the remainder of the season.
Rondo's injury was originally termed a hyperextension; the full severity of the damage wasn't known until an MRI on Sunday.
Rondo, a four-time All-Star, had been averaging 13.7 points, 11.1 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals in 37.4 minutes per game this year, leading the league in assists for the second straight year. With Rondo out, it's up to Avery Bradley, Jason Terry and Leandro Barbosa to handle the Celtics' ball-handling duties.
Boston already was having a disappointing year as it is, and with Rondo out now, the Celtics are looking at the very realistic possibility of missing the playoffs for the first time since Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined the team and led them to a championship in their first year together.
"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a hugger." "Not yet you're not." --Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, SmackDown 1/18/13
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Do they blow the Celtics up? Is there enough they can get back for Pierce/Garnett/whoever to make it worth blowing the Celtics up or are they better just letting these guys try anyway?
I'd keep Rondo; he's the future of the franchise. I'd also keep Pierce for sentimental value if for no other reason: He's been The Man for the Celtics for so long and you'd love to see him start and end his career with the same team.
Everyone else: Fair game. But that's just me, and I haven't been following the Celtics enough to come to an informed opinion, let alone make a prediction.
"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a hugger." "Not yet you're not." --Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, SmackDown 1/18/13
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Pierce could be gone. Garnett's probably not tradeable. There's nobody else that anyone else would want. As a fan of only two of the Boston teams (Celtics, Bruins), we might be close to full-on hockey season now... :(
Originally posted by piemanPierce could be gone. Garnett's probably not tradeable. There's nobody else that anyone else would want. As a fan of only two of the Boston teams (Celtics, Bruins), we might be close to full-on hockey season now... :(
KG has a no-trade clause. And if the C's miss the playoffs or get bounced in 1st round it wouldn't shock me if he retired after the season. Pierce has 1 more year on his deal and it has a buyout clause. A team wanting him is probably a team that feels it needs 1 more player to compete for a title. Any 1st rounder would be in the 20's, so if you want to trade him to start rebuilding that's not a good way to start.
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Paul Pierce is going to retire a Celtic. I really can't see any other outcome. If he gets traded, he will retire before he wears another jersey. I'm definitely not a Boston guy, but I have a TON of respect for Double-P. He wants his jersey in the rafters. He's not going anywhere.
Here's a rather wild idea: Do you think the Celtics, in a display of desperation, desire for attention or both, throw out a contract offer to Allen Iverson?
"I'm sorry, I'm not much of a hugger." "Not yet you're not." --Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, SmackDown 1/18/13
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Originally posted by ekedolphinHere's a rather wild idea: Do you think the Celtics, in a display of desperation, desire for attention or both, throw out a contract offer to Allen Iverson?
No, but I could see them getting into this three-way deal with the Raptors/Grizz and snagging Jose Calderon to make a little run at the playoffs. I do hope they keep Pierce as he's been my favorite Celtic since Larry and I would like to see him retire a Celtic.
There is a better chance of Hondo replacing Rondo than Iverson. Hell, there is a better chance of Cousy yelling 'Arnold, I've been retired for 50 years, I'm coming back now!' to heaven than there is of Iverson replacing Rondo. Actually, if Cousy did that they would get a monster local rating.
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