Rondo: “I can be stubborn…great players are going to be stubborn at times.”

Rondo

Ok…I was able to ignore my sick children for 20 minutes and listen to the Rondo interview on WEEI.com. Three things I learned; Rondo is extremely confident in his game, he isn't fazed by the trade rumors and John Dennis asks ridiculously long questions.

On the Magic series: Orlando just outplayed us in Game 7. It's not that we ran out of gas….we don't have a veteran team completely…we have a lot of young guys.

On China: I saw two of my jerseys over there…I went to the Great Wall…had a great time..put on a little weight over there…but getting back into shape.

On trade rumors: I don't think much of them..I've been in the gym almost every day…I'm looking forward to doing great things next year. If a trade happens, it happens, but I think we have a championship team here.

Would you be disappointed if you weren't back with the Celtics next year? I would be, but I know its a business. You never know what can happen, a lot of great players get traded.

Danny was saying 'See what happens when you rise your game a bit in the playoffs?'…trade rumors start to happen…..I talked with Danny, he can't guarantee he's not going to trade me but we have a championship team here..we have a lot of great pieces and I think I'm one of them.

On improving his game: I wanna be the best point guard in the league next season…I have a lot of expectations for myself and my teammates do as well.

On his alleged "attitude" and showing up 1 hour before a playoff game: People are going to make assumptions, everyone has opinions. I try coming to games as late as possible because I don't like hanging in the locker room, talking and waste time…I like to jump right into my gear and play. That's my ritual, that's what I do, kinda like my headband being upside down. We I come to the game I sit in the parking lot for like 30 minutes and think about my game…

As for as attitude wise, I can be stubborn…it's a great trademark for me because I love to compete so much, I love to win, I'm always studying the game….a point guard and coach aren't always going to see eye-to-eye…but at the end of the day Doc and I have a great relationship and we can talk to each other on and off the court. Great players are going to be stubborn at times…you aren't always going to be a yes man or always go with the flow, to be a leader you have to stand up on your own sometimes and do what you want to do…but you gotta stay with the team. 

This transcript is from the first 9 minutes…click on the above link to hear the remaining 7 minutes.

Arrow to top