Rajon Rondo, whose status with the team remains unclear, said a member of the Bulls’ coaching staff told him that the team was trying to “save him from himself,” as K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune relays (series of Twitter links). Rondo was told that he was playing poorly during a game against the Pacers—the one where he was initially benched—and that was a major reason why the team took action.
“Save me from myself,” Rondo lamented. “I never heard that before in my life. But I guess he was trying to do the best thing for me.”
Rondo added that he didn’t appreciate the team’s comments. Rondo was asked if he and coach Fred Hoiberg have spoken much about the situation. “Um. How can I say this? No,” Rondo said. “We speak. Cordial. Nothing much to say.”
A member of Chicago’s public relation staff attempted to end the media session midway through the interview, but Rondo said he would like to continue, as Johnson passes along (additional series of Twitter links). “I haven’t had this much attention in awhile,” Rondo said.
Rondo added that when he signed with Chicago, he envisioned things going differently and called the situation the most confusing of his career. He’s played in 29 games for the Bulls this season, posting the lowest points and minutes totals since his rookie season.
Rondo is playing tonight for the first time since being benched late last month. The point guard hasn’t seen NBA action in nearly two weeks, but said he’s been trying to stay in shape by playing pick-up games at a local middle school. He’ll be the team’s sixth man while Dwyane Wade and Jimmy Butler are absent from the lineup.
I’m sure Rondo has been told something similar many times, he’s just not interested in listening.
When you are labelled a malcontent and an issue everywhere you go..eventually you’re going to have to look at yourself and realize you need to change. Or fade away and become a distant memory – as a disappointment.
Since 12/3/16 Rondo is -36… so over a month and he’s an overall negative player.
Rondo is in no way a disappointment. His scouting report out of college was that he couldn’t shoot, and his game was based on beating defenders by a step, slashing and distributing. He was labeled a great rebounder for the same reason he was a bad shooter, amazing length and hand size which made it seem like he was hucking a bowling ball.
Rondo has lost a step with age, and it happened to be the step that gave him an advantage. Just because he didn’t develop into something more doesn’t mean he hasn’t had a good career for a mid-first round pick.
Completely agree. Hoiberg and Forehead (Foreman) are just looking for a fall guy.
I mean, did people think he was going to come here and drop 15-20 points per game??
He’s like the Rodman of point guards. A pure point guard with a high basketball IQ, great vision for passing, and shot creator/assist master. That’s his job. That’s what he does. Honestly, if the guy scores 7-9 points…great. If not, oh well. He isn’t a scorer, he never was a scorer, and he wasn’t brought here to be a scorer.
This is ALL on Forehead (Foreman) and Hoiberg. Don’t fall for the diversion. So tired of dumb and dumber. They both need to GO!!
Every time he opens his mouth he loses more money on any future contract he may get.
And more fans… He used to be my favorite player in the NBA, but that was like 10 meltdowns ago.
he’s playing pickup games at a local middleschool??! That is a sub story in itself
rondo is still ah great point guard… he just doesn’t have ah coach that understand he can’t have 3 players with the ball I his their hands sum one needs to play without the ball… rondo know how to run an offence… let him run it… they can’t win any other way….
Chicago’s guards have been terrible, which is why I don’t understand why they’re not at least playing Rondo off the bench, where I said I’d play him since the offseason. Denzel Valentine is back, and he played well the other night, maybe he can give them something like they thought he could…I’d try this rotation for a couple of games, and see what happens…Valentine, Wade, Butler, McDermott, and Lopez. Taj Gibson, Rondo, and Mirotic off the bench. Figure out who else plays based on whoever earns it, b/c everyone has been bad besides Wade, Butler, McDermott, Gibson, and Lopez