Rondo Takes Aim At Wade's "Dirty Plays"
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade just plain don't like each other.
Following the Heat's 120-107 win over the Celtics Tuesday night, Wade called Rondo's flagrant foul on him "a punk play." The Celtics point guard was asked about Wade's statement, repeatedly, Thursday at practice, and said he didn't think there was anything wrong with the foul.
"I don't think it was a hard foul," Rondo told reporters. "He sold it a little bit, and that's basketball. They were up, he drove to the hole and I didn't want to give up a layup. Simple as that."
Rondo On His Foul On Wade:
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Rondo even took a jab at Wade.
"I didn't yank him down or dirty plays that you've seen him play in the past, so that's what it is," he said.
"It's much to do about nothing, personally," said Doc Rivers. "I hate to go back to our day, but my gosh, that would have been, maybe, a foul."
"I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but I guess it is," Doc added.
The foul that has drawn so much talk from both sides came in the final minute of the game, with Wade driving to the basket looking for an easy layup. Rondo made sure that didn't happen, and wrapped his left arm around Wade's shoulder and neck. Wade never hit the floor and didn't say anything to Rondo -- who was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul.
Earlier in the quarter, Rondo felt Wade hooked him while going for a layup, and was assessed a technical foul for arguing with the officials.
Read: Long Way To Go For Celtics Defense
This is just the latest chapter in Rondo and Wade's history. Two seasons ago, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semis, Wade dragged Rondo down to the court, resulting in Rondo dislocating his elbow. The two were also given matching technical fouls during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season.
Wade hinted that the feud isn't over, saying "we'll see next time we play" following Tuesday's game.
We'll find out January 27th at the TD Garden.
