Rajon Rondo Raves Over Former Teammate Jrue Holiday
Rajon Rondo is one of many former Boston Celtics who have visited the team in the days and weeks leading up to the start of the regular season. As you see in the photo, he used to also play for the New Orleans Pelicans. One of his teammates down in the Big Easy was none other than Jrue Holiday, who the C’s acquired in the fallout of the Damian Lillard blockbuster. When asked about Holiday, Rondo did not mince words about his former backcourt partner:
“I love the Jrue Holiday pick-up. He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with all-time and I’m excited for you guys to see what he can bring night in, night out,” he said.
“His mentality, his mindset, his professional approach to the game, and just what he brings out there on the court,” Rondo added. “He does a lot of intangibles, he’s a very unselfish guy, and he’s fun to be around. But he’s a winner. He’s a competitor.”
Rajon Rondo via Brian Robb, MassLive.com
Celtics fans should be absolutely thrilled over these quotes. While Brad Stevens sacrificed some depth this offseason, he has made this team a lot better in the process. With Holiday, there are now four players who can go out and create offense for the Celtics. Holiday’s defensive excellence fits like a hand in a glove alongside Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis. What’s stopping anyone from saying this is a Core Four group like 2008?
Titletown Again?
Expectations are up in the rafters at TD Garden. The acquisition of Holiday is a big reason why that is the case. However, they’re not the only ones with a championship on their mind. The Celts can look no further than Holiday’s former squad: The Milwaukee Bucks.
The aforementioned Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo stack up as arguably the best dynamic duo in the NBA right now. Other contenders in the East include the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks.
Out west is also a gauntlet. You have the reigning champs up in Denver. Then, you have teams like the Suns, Lakers, Clippers, Warriors, Mavericks and more who all feel like they have a chance. Rondo has been in multiple championship locker rooms. He knows what it takes. For now, it appears the C’s would pass their first test of the upcoming season.
From one winning guard to another, Rondo and Holiday have a very strong bond. One has reached the mountaintop in Beantown, while the other is hoping to do the very same six years later.
