Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Ainge and Rondo talked at length Thursday, and Ainge, who would not say whether Rondo had been fined or penalized, appeared content.
“It was between Rondo and I, and I learned some things that I didn’t know and we had a long conversation about it and I’m satisfied with it,” Ainge told the Globe. “He learned from it, too. Let’s move on.”
Rondo has been the subject of trade rumors over the past few years, and when asked if this incident hurts the perception of him throughout the NBA, Ainge said, “I have no idea. I don’t think so. It certainly shouldn’t. It doesn’t change my perception of him at all.”
Ainge would not say Rondo was at fault for not being at the game or whether it was a misunderstanding, but he defended his point guard.
“Whether it was a mistake or whether it wasn’t a mistake I think is in question,” he said. “Second of all, for those that want to assume that it was a mistake, leaders make mistakes. All leaders make mistakes. That’s just part of it. That doesn’t disqualify them as leaders. Leaders learn, too.”
Coach Brad Stevens said he’s choosing to put the controversy in the past.
“I haven’t read or heard everything,” said Stevens, “because obviously I’ve got a lot of stuff going on right now. It really is closed from our standpoint and I think that the most important thing we all can do, as I said the other day, is continue to move forward. I thought the best way for him to do that was to lead and play well on Wednesday.”
That’s it? No fine? No suspension? The team isn’t taking steps to terminate Rondo’s contract?
All kidding aside, I’m THRILLED that Danny Ainge talked with Rondo and deemed this case closed.
Or is it?
Never underestimate the idiocy of the Boston media, especially Gary Tanguay and Kirk Minihane:
“It’s a mystery that never ends,” Minihane said. “What circumstance could have possibly changed where Ainge didn’t fine him?…I learned nothing today from what Danny Ainge said.”
Tanguay said it’s an example of Ainge and coach Brad Stevens “not being on the same page.”
“The same thing happened with Doc Rivers, only they were winning then, so it didn’t really matter,” Tanguay said. “He’s got to sit down with Brad Stevens and say this is going to be the company response, period. Is he hanging Brad Stevens out to dry here a little bit? [Stevens] says, ‘Look, we we talked to Rondo about obviously there’s a problem,’ then Danny says, ‘There’s no problem.'”
Minihane theorized it might be Ainge trying to protect Rondo’s trade value by downplaying the situation.
“Ainge is trying to cover Rondo’s behind,” Minihane said. “Why Ainge is so loyal to Rondo is beyond me…If you’re going name him captain and you’re going to play that charade, you’ve got to be a big boy and put on big boy pants. You don’t get to open the gifts and get your Tonka truck.”
File under: Dumbest analysis I’ve ever come across
The rest of the links:
ESPN Boston – Birthday-gate closed | Sullinger eyes Saturday return | Herald – Ainge puts Rondo controversy to bed | Celts lose Wallace for season | Globe – Bob Ryan wants the charge outlawed | CSNNE – Ainge on Rondo: We had our conversation | Heinsohn: Lebron a pebble at Mt Rushmore | Celtics/Pacers preview: Next man up |
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