NBA AM: Rajon Rondo’s Redemption Quest

At one point in time former All-Star Rajon Rondo was considered one of the best point guards in the league. Rondo was part of a Boston Celtics core that was once perennial title contenders and he served as the young linchpin driving the team’s efforts. The debate on how good Rondo was during his prime years was always spirited and hinged on how effective you believed he would be without three future Hall of Famers such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen next to him in the lineup.

Eventually, the Celtics decided to move away from their future Hall of Fame trio and any chance to see if Rondo could carry the franchise was wiped out when the guard suffered a torn ACL during the 2012-13 campaign. The Celtics ultimately traded Rondo to Dallas last season where the guard clashed with the coaching staff on numerous occasions before being shut down for good by the franchise during their first-round playoff series.

Rondo had long been known to be moody in his disposition, a trait that is often easy to overlook when you’re playing at an elite level. However, Rondo’s inability to stretch opposing defenses and poor free throw shooting has led many to believe that the current style of play in the league may have rendered the guard to being a middle of the pack player with a large ego.

Rondo signed a one-year, $10 million deal with the Sacramento Kings this past summer. The deal surprised many at the time given the presence of strong personalities such as center DeMarcus Cousins and head coach George Karl already present (and rumors of a rift between the two). For Sacramento, getting a guy of Rondo’s caliber who has something to prove is a low risk, high reward move.

Los Angeles Clippers head coach Doc Rivers, who coached Rondo in Boston, says the two had plenty of disagreements while they were together. But Rivers also marveled at Rondo’s high basketball IQ and competitive spirit.

“We had tons of arguments,” Rivers told radio host Colin Cowherd this week. “We had blowups, more at practice. Games were pretty good. You know, Rondo is as smart a player and as smart of a person I’ve ever been around… I don’t think people get that. You’re going to deal with difficult people, and sometimes the more successful they are and the smarter they are, the more difficult they can be. But that doesn’t mean you can’t work with them and work together.”

Rivers also maintains he and the guard remain close to this day.

“We talk a ton,” Rivers said. “You know, it’s funny, people don’t see other sides of Rondo. My mom passed this summer. I’m walking into the wake, and who’s standing there but Rondo and his wife. So, you know, there’s so many good sides to him, as well. Every time I see that side, I think I’m glad I went through the bad stuff, because I could have given up. I could have done what you said, ‘Well, forget this, this is over.’ He’s not a guy that you should give up on.”

The Kings are hoping to get a motivated Rondo who still has enough gas left in the tank to help the franchise get over the hump. Many teams didn’t view Rondo as a marquee free agent talent this past summer, but if what Rivers said was true maybe they shouldn’t have given up on the thought he could return to the tier of elite floor generals.

Timberwolves promote Sam Mitchell to interim head coach

The Minnesota Timberwolves head into training camp as one of the league’s most intriguing teams. While no one expects the team to seriously contend for a playoff berth, the squad features a strong variety of talent with plenty of upside.

But the Timberwolves’ young core will head into the season without their head coach Flip Saunders who will begin the season focusing on his health and battle with cancer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The Timberwolves released a statement on this issue earlier today.

In the meantime Sam Mitchell has been named the team’s interim head coach. According to Wojnarowski’s report, Saunders was diagnosed with a treatable form of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma this summer and has been undergoing chemotherapy. Mitchell is expected to handle the coaching duties at least half of the season while Saunders recuperates.

Mitchell compiled a 156-189 record in just over four seasons as head coach of the Toronto Raptors. His tenure included two trips to the postseason, both first-round exits.