Rajon Rondo wants to play. Doc Rivers, apparently, won't be swayed this time
“I might play tomorrow – see how it goes at practice,” said the Celtics point guard, who has missed the last three games with a left ankle sprain.
Of Doc Rivers’ insistence that players return to 100 percent health in non-playoff situations, Rondo said, “It might take me three or four months to be 100 percent.”
Rivers, who minutes earlier had said Rondo would probably be out for longer than the original two-week window given for a Rondo return, wasn’t buying it.
“When he gets near a game he’ll always try to play, but I seriously doubt it,” said Rivers. … The Celtics coach added that Jermaine O’Neal, who took part in his third practice yesterday, would “probably” make his return against the Magic.
I'll file Jermaine playing tomorrow under "I'll believe it when I see it."
And yeah, I pulled that quote out for the headline because it's an eye catcher. But I think what Rondo is saying is that 100% means no pain or soreness and, honestly, no one is 100% right now. Everyone's got something.
There's no reason to rush Rondo back. The C's are winning, albeit winning some ugly games. But they're winning nonetheless. Even if they drop a game here and there… there is absolutely ZERO reason to bring Rondo back until the ankle and hamstring are healed, and the plantar faciitis is at the very least manageable.
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