When the Boston Celtics traded point guard Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, it signaled that the franchise was fully committed to the rebuilding process. For many, that means tanking to try an get as high of a draft pick as possible, but the team isn't giving up on the season.
“In the trade, we got three great players,” forward/center Kelly Olynyk said after Boston beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. “We got Brandan Wright, who is super-athletic and can do lots of things to change a game on both ends of the floor. Jameer Nelson, who is solid and can really shoot the ball. Jae Crowderis an energy guy that can make a difference. For us, I think it’s great. I love our team right now. The guys in here are working really hard and going in the right direction.”
“This team is going to prepare everyday to win the game,” said head coach Brad Stevens. “There is a group in there right now that I can tell is ready to compete. [Without Rondo,] there has to be some ownership taken and some verbal leadership taken over by some of our younger guys that may or may not be considered old enough to do that. That’s the situation we are in. The deal is, this is our team. This is how we are getting ready to win every single night. We are building every single night to be the best we can be. I’m excited about the guys in the locker room. Time will tell how we will do.”
Despite the optimism, players recognized that they were going to miss Rondo.
“Rondo’s someone I’ve been seeing every single day for the last four-and-a-half years,” guard Avery Bradley said, a sentiment that was echoed by many others on the team. “He’s like an older brother to me, but all I can do is wish all the best for him, tell him I’m going to miss him.”
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