Rondo Loves Being A Celtic, Fans Make Him Want To Stay With Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- If you've been living under a rock for the last six months, you may not know that Rajon Rondo is a free agent at the end of the season.
Because of that impending free agency, Rondo trade stories (mostly along the lines of "Will He Stay Or Will He Go" and "TRADE RONDO NOW") have frequently popped up over the summer and will continue to do so throughout the season -- ranging from a daily to weekly basis.
But through it all, Danny Ainge and the Celtics brass have said they want Rondo to be part of their future, and the point guard has said he wants to remain a Celtic.
Following Wednesday night's loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, in which he nearly logged his second triple-double of the season, Rondo continued to take that stance when talking about his future with reporters. This time around, he singled out the Celtics faithful as one big reason he wants to continue to wear green.
"The fans, the people here make me want to stay," said Rondo. "The organization has been great. I can't say enough about Danny and (owner) Wyc [Grousbeck], but when I walk down the street the fans have embraced me from Day One. These people know the game; you can't fool them. The love I get is kind of overwhelming. I want to stay here.
"Regardless of what's going on with the season, my position hasn't changed." Rondo said. "I love being a Celtic."
Those comments come on the heels of former Celtic Kendrick Perkins, one of Rondo's best friends who was traded to the Thunder during the 2010-11 season, saying he thinks Rondo will stay with Boston prior to Wednesday night's game.
"I think it's a great place for him. I think he wants to stay here," said Perkins, who was dealt to Oklahoma City for forward Jeff Green. "We talk on the regular, and I think he should stay. If I was him, I'd stay."
When reminded that he didn't stay, Perk was quick to point out to the reporter that it wasn't his choice.
As for Rondo though, Perkins sees the rebuilding Celtics are a perfect situation the point guard.
"He's got a good group of guys around him, a good young coach. It's his team, he's able to play the way he's capable of playing, and he's almost averaging a triple-double," said Perkins. "He's got some good talent around him in [Jared] Sullinger, Jeff [Green], the young kid -- I can't pronounce it -- with the long hair (he meant Kelly Olynyk, of course). He's got some good talent around him.
"He wants to stay; I think he should. But you never know how it'll work out," Perkins added.
Rondo is off to a solid start this season despite being sidelined throughout training camp with a broken bone in his hand. Through six games, he leads the NBA with 11.3 assists per game while averaging 10.8 points and 8.2 rebounds per contest.
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