“Well, if there were a way for us to get a 25-year-old, All-Star, ball-handling guard we’d love to do it," said Kupchak to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com. "But that’s not likely in February. So you look at other alternatives, and see if it’s better than what you have. That’s all.” Rajon Rondo is the player that fits that description, possibly the only one in the NBA.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The NBA's two glamour franchises, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, are open for business

The Celtics are looking at trades that can give their 'Big Three' a boost, and also help their rebuilding program when Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce finally retire.

The Lakers are 14-11, which doesn't cut it with Kobe Bryant and the celebs' at Staples Center expecting a championship every year.

But Rajon Rondo for Pau Gasol seems unlikely.

Adding Rondo helps the Lakers, but there's no reason the Celtics would swap him for the older Gasol. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak would have to sweeten the pot because a straight Rondo for Gasol deal isn't happening.

Here's what's interesting about this scenario: Rondo's name is again in the rumor mill.

Two months ago, Rondo was supposedly heading south to the New Orleans Hornets for point guard Chris Paul. That rumor upset Rondo, which forced the Celtics into denial mode.

Now Rondo may head west to the purple-and-gold. And he'll be upset with the latest reports.

So, will the Celtics deny, deny, deny or admit to taking offers for their lightning quick guard?

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"It's up to the team," Nash said. "I'm happy where I am. I'm not happy with our record. I feel like I made a commitment to the fans and my teammates. But at the same time, I'd understand if the team wanted to make a move, so I'm completely open. To be honest, I just occupy myself with trying to prepare to play and play as well as I can."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Phoenix Suns want to trade Steve Nash. And Steve Nash wants to the Phoenix Suns to trade him.

Sadly, team and player can’t admit as much publicly because they fear a backlash from fans.

Right now, the Suns are struggling. Soon, they’ll begin a long, painful rebuilding process, in part, because owner Robert Sarver lacks the resources to pay top talent.

Under Sarver’s watch the Suns have said goodbye to All-Stars Joe Johnson and Robert Sarver, and traded away first round picks Rudy Fernandez and Rajon Rondo.

The reason: Sarver must watch his pocketbook because the financial meltdown crippled his banking and real estate empire.

Nash is loyal to the city of Phoenix and Suns-nation. He knows asking for a trade would ruin his relationship with the city and fans. So the two-time MVP is saying all the right things.

However, the best thing for all involved is a trade. The Suns would get an asset to begin their inevitable rebuilding process, while Nash, a free agent at season’s end, would perhaps get an opportunity at a championship.

Somebody must blink. Team or player must make the first move to dissolve this partnership.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Yet for all the talk of Boston point guard Rajon Rondo possibly being traded, some league executives have shooting guard and free-agent-to-be Ray Allen pegged as the most likely to be moved. Sources say the Clippers are interested, having lost Chauncey Billups to season-ending injury and lost out to New York in the J.R. Smith sweepstakes.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This seems more logical.

Rumors have been swirling that the Boston Celtics are looking to trade Rajon Rondo, even though the young table-setter is an All-Star.

It would make sense to rebuild around Rondo and move The Big Three to contenders for a package of draft picks, expiring contracts, and young talent.

Ray Allen, even at 36 years of age, would be the first to go. After all, he’s still in demand because he can spread the floor with his outstanding range.

While GM Danny Ainge can’t trade Celtic-fixture Paul Pierce and probably wants to let Kevin Garnett’s $20 million per season contract come off the books.

So Allen would appear the most likely candidate to change teams come trade deadline, with the veteran being linked to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Of course, appearances can deceive.

Rondo, for all his gifts, is reportedly a handful. He’s been called stubborn, emotional, and difficult by teammates, coaches, and media.

Perhaps logic won’t matter and the Celtics will move Rondo.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The Lakers and Boston Celtics hate each other, an animosity that extends into the front offices of the two teams. Not really. The teams talked last week about a trade for Celtics guard Rajon Rondo, though nothing was close to accomplished and discussions dried up.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The rumors don’t die. They multiply.

For months, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have been testing the trade market for table-setter Rajon Rondo and post Pau Gasol.

The Celtics and Lakers had little luck finding a deal to their liking, so these great rivals recently discussed a Rondo for Gasol swap.

Yes, Rondo for Gasol. Straight.

(For the record, such cooperation would make former Celtics and Lakers like Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parrish, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, and James Worthy puke.)

The Celtics shouldn’t make this move -unless the tales of Rondo’s diva behaviour are true. The Kentucky alum’ is young, productive, and, can dominate without taking a single shot. Most importantly, he covers up for an aging Big Three.

Gasol has a world class skill-set. However, the green-and-white would be wise to keep Rondo.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Rajon Rondo will likely be suspended for bumping a ref.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Rookie mistake from player that should know better.

With just 41 seconds left in the 4th quarter the Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo lost his head and in the process will likely have to sit out at least one game for his actions. The play happened on a tough call on a loose ball foul that Rondo reacted to by screaming at the ref. This initial reaction received a technical foul. The incident got much more significant when Rondo then proceeded to chest bump the referee which is an automatic ejection and likely suspension.

After the game Rondo pleaded his case to the media claiming he tripped and that the chest bump was accidental, but the replay tells a different story. Rondo clearly chest bumped the ref out of frustration. The bump was absolutely deliberate. I for one would prefer players simply admit their action instead of pretending they didn't happen. We've all got acces to Youtube Rondo. We've all seen the SportsCenter slow motion replay. We know you did it and so do you.

The end result is that Rondo will liekly have to sit out at least one game against the Atlanta Hawks.  

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Watch as Rondo goes after a cameraman following the Celtics loss.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It is impossible to take you serious in the jacket Rondo. 

Lets start at the beginning. The Celtics loss the Hawks 87-86 Tuesday night. The Celtics had one last chance to pull out the win when Rondo stole the ball with 10 seconds left, but then he proceeded to dribble down the court, go around in a couple circles, and turn the ball over. Clearly, he was upset with how his ball handling had cost the Celtics their last chance at a shot to win. 

This frustration carried over after the game when Rondo was seen yelling at a mild mannered cameraman. Rondo not only refuses to do the interview, he then proceeds to get in the cameraman's face and threaten him.

First things first, can we discuss Rondo's jacket. What in the name of everything that is holy was Rondo wearing? Someone contact Tito Jackson because Rajon stole his jacket. I'm not even convinced Rondo was that upset about the cameraman or the loss to Atlanta. I think he's just really pissed someone caught him wearing that ridiculous jacket. And quite frankly, he has every reason to be pissed.

Rajon Rondo goes for a triple double to help Celtics win.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Celtics are going to need more than Rondo to beat Heat.

Boston take a 3-2 lead in the series as Miami can't hold on.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Miami looked tight in the loss. Boston most unlikely of Eastern Conference Champs.

Garnett, Rondo, and Allen feud looks explosive.

HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: I predict a few flying elbows the first time Allen drives the lane in Bean Town.

Garnett struck first saying he no longer has former friend and teammate, Ray Allen's, phone number in his phone. Ouch, that doesn't sound like the type of lifelong friendships everyone in Boston was talking about just a few years ago when the Big Three hung another banner? Rondo followed suit in a similar interview stating he and Allen hadn't always gotten along. Rondo told Yahoo Sports "It's just life. If you look at your job, everyone doesn't always get along with every co-worker they work with. It's just part of life." Rondo also admitted to not having spoken to Allen since his decision to go to Boston's biggest rival in the East, the Miami Heat. 

Allen responded to Garnett's comments saying, "That's a shame ... I'm not really worried about it." Looks like these "friends" are now bitter enemies. Allen crossed a scared line in Garnett and Rondo's minds. It isn't simply that he left the Celtics. It's that he left the Celtics and went to their bitter rival. Boston and Miami met in the Eastern Conference Finals last year and although most people thought Boston was over-matched, it was still a hell of a battle.

This has all the makings of adding series kerosene the this already explosive fire. I predict the Celtics vs. Heat games this year will be especially chippy and look for Garnett, a noted hot-head and capable of a questionable cheap shot from time to time, to dish out at least a couple hard hits when Allen returns to Boston in a Heat uniform.

The only saving grace for Allen is he only drives to the basket these days if on one is on his half of the court. He's much more content to camp out behind the arch and wait for hit opportunity to show what a lifetime 40% 3-point shooter looks like in action.

Three different games mark the beginning of the 2012-13 NBA regular season Tuesday night.
 
Hoopsvibe's quick call:  After an interesting offseason, let the games begin.

Breaking news:  Boston Celtics star point guard Rajon Rondo and Nets big man Kris Humphries have been ejected from the Nets-Celtics game in Boston tonight.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Rondo didn't have 10 assists at the time of his ejection, and that means, his streak is over.

Rajon Rondo's triple double against the Bobcats isn't the only thing being talked about in Boston Monday night.
 
Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Rumor has it that Paul Pierce is on the trading block.

The fans have spoken.  Here are the East and West starting lineups for the 2013 NBA All-Star game.

Hoopsvibe's quick call:  Most of these ballers deserved it, but a few are questionable.

Rajon Rondo's ACL tear wasn't as bad as first thought. Garnett vetoes a trade deal with Denver, but leaves it open for someone else.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The Boston Celtics have more drama going on than a telenovela these days. Even if Rondo returns this season, it's hard to see Boston emerging from the East.

Looks like Rondo wanted to put this season behind him fast and the Floyd Mayweather fight was the perfect opportunity.

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Hey, it's the off-season ... Rondo can catch all the boxing he'd like, but Boston will need to grab some free agent talent to win next year.

Boston Celtics and Paul Pierce to part ways?

HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Looks like the end of an era in Boston. After Pierce goes, expect Garnett to follow.

Magic Johnson was a triple double machine 6-9 point guard. There will not be any one reaching “NEAR” Michael Jordan level anytime soon, but is there anyone who can reach near Magic Johnson? Magic has 138 career triple doubles in the regular season and 30 triple doubles in the playoffs from a career 190 playoff games. His career averages are 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 11.2 assists. Those are ridiculous numbers for anyone to obtain. What players today have the skills to do that?

With the Celtics struggling to begin the 11-12 season, several teams have inquired about the availability of Paul Pierce. One Eastern Conference official said, there are “lots of calls asking if [Boston] will blow it up.”

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Everything is set up perfectly for the Heatles to win it all. They made quick work of the Philadelphia Sixers. The Boston Celtics are falling down all over the place trying to guard LeBron and Wade. Their opponent in the Eastern Conference Finals will probably be quick work, too. This is what LeBron, Wade, and Bosh wanted. This is reality. They are making the 2011 playoffs look like an exhibition. It’s like that?  

I was standing in front of a food truck called “Oh For Sweet Sake” located in Orange County, California somewhere. I was enjoying some conversations with owners Lisa and Al while enjoying my hot coco and Mac N Cheese. Some guy in my fantasy league offered Derrick Rose and Anderson Varejao for Tyreke Evans and Brook Lopez. I took it because Rose is performing at an MVP level. Stats are accurate as of December 1, 2010. Thanks for the hot food, guys! That made my head clearer especially with sports conversations. Follow their Twitter - http://twitter.com/ohforsweetssake

The 2010-2011 Boston Celtics features the stars from the 1990s such as Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Jermaine O’Neal, and the eventual return of Rasheed Wallace. Either they moved one step closer to a title or hospital bed, the Green Machine remains the team to beat in the East despite Miami’s Super Friends. The Celtics are still the Eastern Conference Champions and until any other team officially knock them out; they remain the favorites to return to the Finals.

Donny Marshall — the former NBA player who covers the Celtics and does some color commentary for the team’s broadcasts — was on NBC’s SportsTalk today talking Rajon Rondo and saying the Celtics were open to moving Rajon Rondo more because of his personality than his game. “My sources tell me he’s started to wear his welcome out a little bit,” Marshall said.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.

That thing called the ‘World Wide Web’ has been reporting that the Boston Celtics were very willing to send Rajon Rondo to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul.

This wasn’t just about the Celtics acquiring Paul. This was also about cutting ties with Rondo.

After all, Rondo’s temper has, at times, alienated coaches, teammates, and fans. There’s also a theory his lack of offensive polish will be exposed once The Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce retire.

Unfortunately, Paul wasn’t interested in joining Boston. His heart is set on joining New York.

So the Celtics will have to deal with a jilted Rondo when training camp opens. Of course, GM Danny Ainge will blame the 24 hour news cycle, bloggers, and talk radio.

There may be some truth to Rondo getting moved. Maybe not. Either way, this is a storyline worth watching.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

This is another episode in the long series called, “Can anybody other than Kobe score?” In the game 5 episode called, “The one where Kobe gets hot in the 3rd quarter,” Pau Gasol still has not shed the “soft” label. Ron Artest’s offense is crappy. People will make excuses for him not being familiar with the triangle offense. That is crap. Man up. This is the Finals. Boston’s defense is just that good to make him look dazed and confused.

He does not live a double life. Instead, the real Rajon Rondo is showing the basketball world that he is definitely a pure point guard force to be reckoned with.

“Hurt, surprised, I think it really still hasn’t hit me yet — not really,” he said later. “I think everything happened so fast, last year coming back from my ACL injury and getting traded to Oklahoma City where I had to be a leader. “It still hurts that I got traded, but then the city of Oklahoma has been great to me. They’ve embraced me with open arms, and I have no complaints about the city of Oklahoma and the whole organization.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kendrick Perkins reminds me of John Starks.

There are differences: Perkins is a center, Starks was a guard; Perkins is a defensive anchor, while Starks played both ends of the floor; Perkins won a championship with the Boston Celtics and Starks’ New York Knicks fell short in the NBA Finals.

However, Perkins and Starks are both fiery and have massive hearts.

Consider that the veteran-laden Celtics fell apart after Perkins was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder last February. Part of this had to with the hole Perkins left down-low, but this was more about the hole he left in the locker room.

Rajon Rondo missed Perkins, his best friend. Kevin Garnett cried when told of the trade. And the green-and-white never recovered.

Yesterday Perkins received a massive ovation while at an exhibition game near Boston.

Starks, a real life Rocky, had a similar impact in New York. He played at several colleges, semi-pro leagues, and bagged groceries before sticking with the Knicks.

Fans could relate to Starks` blue-collar work ethic. Eventually, he became an All-Star and a key part of some rugged Knick teams.

He was immortalized with his dunk on THE GOAT and when the Beastie Boys declared 'I got heart like John Starks'.

The lockout has shown what’s wrong with the NBA. The league needs more players like Perkins and Starks.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The second round series is currently one to one. On May 3, 2010, the Boston Celtics dominated LeBron’s Cavs on their home floor 104 -86. Kevin Garnett did the usual damage of 18 points and 10 boards. Ray Allen chipped in with 22 points, but the star was Rajon Rondo racking up 13 points and 19 assists. LeBron, The Cavs, and the fans were hopeless and dumbfounded.

If the NBA institutes a hard salary cap and eliminates the mid-level exception, the Celtics would likely to be forced to build around their Big Four with minimum-salaried players.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The new NBA will be different.

With the luxury tax likely replaced by a hard cap financial structure, have-franchises like the Boston Celtics will have a top heavy payroll.

Translation: the green and white will pay big-ticket salaries to Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Rajon Rondo, and everyone else will earn the league minimum.

So GM Danny Ainge and the club’s front office are searching far and wide for bargains that can plug holes and fill roles next to their Big Four.

The green-and-white’s front office are scouting colleges, Europe, Asia, and anywhere else there's basketball.

This, of course, could be the new reality of the NBA, where a hard cap and revenue sharing creates some semblance of parity between big and small markets and have and have-not franchises.

In theory, an NFL style system sounds good, however, the NBA has always been a star driven league with high profile franchises. Think of the following for LeBron James and 'The Heatles' last season.

The NBA’s new and different financial system may kill the golden goose of showcasing players and teams.

--O. Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"I want to finish my career as a Celtic,” said Garnett, who joined Boston in a trade with Minnesota before the 2007-08 season. “This is it. I don’t plan on bouncing from team-to-team, that’s not really the plan. Hopefully God willing, I can finish my career out in the classy, elegant with a class-full organization as Boston. I don’t want to downgrade. I want to continue to be where I’m at. This is the first option and hopefully the only option.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Why would he leave?

Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics seem a match made in heaven, and the future member of the Hall of Fame wants to finish his career with the storied green-and-white.

Garnett, who has a year left on his contract at $21 million, claims to have little interest in demeaning his legacy by bouncing from team-to-team, especially since he already won a championship.

Leaving is easier said than done. Garnett’s passion for basketball may keep him in an NBA uniform into his late thirties.

If so, it’s unlikely Garnett retires with the Celtics as GM Danny Ainge won't prolong rebuilding around Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

“They’ve been together for a number of years,” Green said of the Celtics. “They’ve already won a championship, they’ve already have a system, they already have their chemistry and that bond on that team. “It was tough to go into that situation.”

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Three future members of the Hall of Fame. One All-Star point guard. One championship. One NBA Finals appearance. And a heap of pressure on a young forward to replace the team's heart-and-soul.

Welcome to Jeff Green's world last February.

The Boston Celtics acquired Green from the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline. The green-and-white gave up Kendrick Perkins, their burly center, in the deal. 

It didn't matter that Perkins was coming off knee surgery or that his contract demands were impossible to meet.

Trading Perk' didn't go over well. Kevin Garnett cried, Rajon Rondo went into a funk, and the team lost their tough, blue-collar identity.

Worst of all, fans and players felt GM Danny Ainge had given up on 2011 to prepare for the future.

All of this impacted Green, who came into an impossible situation. The expectations were sky-high, while fans and teammates were slow to embrace him.

The Celtics, however, will make every effort to re-sign Green, a restricted free agent. In time, this trade could work out.

After all, Green has talent. He can guard multiple positions, score, and stuffs the stat-sheet with the all-important little things.

For now, things are tough, though.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

The next day Rondo shot the ball horribly. He stopped taking shots after that. He’s so sensitive. I think it was a real jolt to hear the outside perception of a basketball fan who happens to be the President of the United States. It messed with his mind. I’m sure of it.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The critics say President Obama has done nothing during his first term in office.

Well, they're wrong.

Last March, 'The Leader of the Free World' did something 29 NBA teams couldn't do: he destroyed Rajon Rondo, the All-Star point guard for the Boston Celtics.

Shaquille O'Neal claims Obama publicly joked that Ray Allen, the NBA's greatest three-point marksmen, needed to teach Rondo a thing or two about shooting when the Celtics met the president at a fund raiser.

Shaq, a former Celtic who signed with TNT as a broadcaster, believes the incident shattered Rondo's confidence. The Big Broadcaster says Rondo, from that day forward, shot the ball poorly and eventually stopped taking outside shots.

Obama, love him or hate him, has done something while in office: he wrecked the confidence of a top NBA point guard. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.    

EARLIER SATURDAY-KFDM has confirmed that NBA star Kendrick Perkins was booked and released early Saturday morning into the Jefferson County jail around 4:00a.m. on charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct. The charges are a class C misdemeanor. Per Texas penal code 12.23, an individual guilty of a class C misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $500. Perkins posted bond of $150 shortly after being booked and was released.

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“It wasn’t like the man passed away or something,” Rondo said. “I think we put too much emphasis on it. It’s a business. He got traded. He’s very happy where he’s at. We still talk and I’m always going to have his back. It shouldn’t have affected us the way it affected us.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: For all intensive purposes, it ended the Boston Celtics’ season.

Last February, Celtics executive Danny Ainge sent center Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green.

In theory, it made sense. Perkins was coming off a nasty knee injury. He wanted a multi-year, big-ticket contract. And Green, a talented player, would be around long after The Big Three retired.
 
The reality was different, though. Perkins, even when injured, formed a large part of the Celtics’ identity as a tough, defensive-minded club.

And Perk’ did the little things: he banged, he glared, he rebounded, he blocked shots, he sometimes delivered cheap-shots, and he intimidated. In short, he did what an aging Kevin Garnett is no longer capable of.

So it didn’t matter who Ainge was getting back. And it didn’t matter that the O’Neals, Jermaine and Shaquille, never got healthy.

Boston had lost their identity, their way. It was plying the middle for an upstart Oklahoma City club.

Ainge can do his part by acquiring a body to plug-the-hole down-low. The current crop of Celtics need to forget Perk' -if they want one final run at a championship.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
 

“Doc Rivers has agreed to a five-year, $35 million contract extension to remain coach of the Boston Celtics, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: You don’t need to be a Johnny Kemp fan to know Doc Rivers ‘just got paid’. 

Instead of cashing a two-week cheque for minimum wage, the personable sideline boss is getting $35 million over five years to coach the Boston Celtics.

There are several storylines worth noting with this development:

First, Rivers had always taken the summer to decide whether he wanted to continue coaching. It was a year-by-year process. And the Celtic faithful were on pins-and-needles/shamrocks-and-clovers to know if he was staying.

Well, no more uncertainty. Rivers is the Celtics’ man for the long-term, and vice-versa.

Remember, the team is on the hook for the full $35 million if they fire Rivers. And Rivers is giving up the chance to be a basketball dad and watch son Austin start his college career.

Second, many thought Rivers’ future was tied to The Big Three. He would leave the Celtics, or perhaps coaching, when Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce called it a day.

The term of this deal means he’ll stick around long after Allen, Garnett, and Pierce retire. He’ll be part of the rebuilding process and clearly likes the chips he already has in Jeff Green and Rajon Rondo.

Third, Rivers must be comfortable with current Celtics GM Danny Ainge. And he must be convinced Ainge will be in the front office for a while.

After all, Rivers is Ainge’s guy. Always has been, too. Even when the Celtics were a perpetual lottery team and Rivers was seen as a guy who struggled with ‘Xs’ and ‘Os’.

So Rivers is staying. He’ll be the constant for the green-and-white. Expect the Celtics to shake-up their core and make changes after falling to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: One arm was all Rajon Rondo needed to have an effective fourth quarter against the Miami Heat.

Turns out the Boston Celtics’ star table-setter dislocated his elbow in the third quarter, popped it back into place in the locker room, and played the final frame with just one arm.

His courage, defense, and passing were instrumental in the Celtics winning the game and getting back into the Eastern Conference semi-finals against the star-studded Heat.

Watch the video of Rondo’s arm getting bent like a pretzel and get at us in the comment box below with thoughts.  

--Oly Sandor.

Rondo was hampered by a back injury that began bothering him yesterday morning. He wore a wrap around his midsection during the team's morning shootaround, which he said kept his back warm. While Rondo downplayed the use of the wrap, it reappeared during Tuesday night's game. "His back was bothering him this morning," coach Doc Rivers said. "It was bothering him through the game. One time he asked to come out because he got tired."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The straw that stirs the Boston Celtics’ drink wanted out of the game/drink –temporarily.

Of course, Rajon Rondo was hurt for game two of their series against the Miami Heat, which is an issue for the Boston Celtics. These days, Rondo is Axel, Michael, and Wayne Rooney, while the Celtics are ‘G&R’, the Jacksons, and Manchester United.

He leads. They follow.

Rondo’s penetration and ‘quicks’ forces opposing defences to help, providing room and time for veterans like Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Respectfully, ‘The Big Three’ need that cushion. But a hobbled Rondo can’t get in the lane and create opportunities for others, so Allen, Garnett, and Pierce have to expend extra energy to score.

Rondo is also the club’s defensive catalyst. His on-the-ball defense is a nightmare for opposing point guards and he often jumps the passing lane for easy hoops.

Bottom line: if Rondo isn’t at full health, the Celtics are in deep, deep trouble.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Taking a metaphor right through the final bell of the first round,LeBron James was asked how his breakfast -- with NBA playoff rounds serving as meals -- went. "It was good!" said James, smiling. "Now we're preparing for lunch."

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D'Antoni on Rondo: "I'd like to see him on Minnesota and see how well he does." But quickly adds, "He's a really good player."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mike D’Antoni should’ve been worrying about his New York Knicks beating Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics.

After all, D’Antoni’s Knicks were trailing their series 3-0 when he spouted off on whether Rondo could succeed without The Big Three on a weaker squad like the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The sideline boss had to field a team without starting point guard Chauncey Billups. Instead of preparing a solution like, say, inserting veteran Anthony Carter earlier on, D’Antoni provided bulletin board material for Rondo.

Know this: Rondo would be a player in The Frozen Tundra of ‘Sota -or anywhere else, for that matter. He’d pile-up assists with Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, and anybody else.

And Rondo makes his squad go, as demonstrated by his 21 points and 12 assists in game four against the Knicks. Now his Celtics are going to the second round after sweeping D’Antoni’s Knicks.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Last night, the Chicago Bulls made a statement by beating the Boston Celtics. And Derrick Rose made a statement with his play, specifically when he caught Rajon Rondo off guard with an incredible fake.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

With Perkins gone, everything changed for the Celtics and they knew it: the toughness, the tenacity, the presence in the post. “He was tough,” Rose said. “We could defend on someone that was big. He was really tough to go around. … They’re different.”

Different doesn’t mean better. It means diminished. The Bulls beat the Celtics 44-22 in the paint, beat them badly on the boards, too. They assailed the Celtics the way the Celtics used to assail everyone else. “We know we can beat them,” Rose flatly said.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Last night was the proof. It was the smoking gun, the bloody glove, and weapon of mass destruction all in one.

The Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls, two of the Eastern Conference’s premier teams, are moving in different directions. The Celtics are stumbling; the Bulls are soaring.

No other conclusion can be drawn from the Bulls’ decisive victory on Thursday in front of a national audience. The difference at point guard says everything.

After all, these teams live and die by their point guards, All-Star Rajon Rondo and MVP candidate Derrick Rose. As Rondo and Rose go, so goes the Celts’ and Bulls.

Rose soared last night, notching 30 points, 8 assists, and limiting Rondo’s effectiveness. There’s no longer any doubt he’s MVP worthy. His play clinched it.

Best of all, Rose spoke publicly of no longer fearing the Celtics, especially since they dealt defensive five Kendrick Perkins to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green.

Conversely, Rondo struggled. Mightily.

After getting outplayed, the Celtics’ floor general expressed doubt about his club’s ability to flip a switch ala 2010. He then requested a meeting with his coach, Glen ‘Doc’ Rivers.

Of course, the Celtics surprised everyone with last year's run. Repeating such heroics seems unlikely –if their point guard and best player doesn’t believe.

--Oly Sandor.

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Celtics coach Doc Rivers offered an interesting criticism of Jeff Green following Sunday’s 101-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons. ‘I think he’s too nice,’ Rivers said. ‘He’s trying to please the other guys on the floor. I’ve always thought playing with us is difficult, when you’re new, because you’re playing with Paul [Pierce] and Ray [Allen] and Kevin [Garnett] and [Rajon] Rondo and you almost don’t think like you deserve to be an aggressive offensive player or you should be, and I think he does that way too much.’

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call:  You know where nice guys finish, right?

It’s hardly surprising Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers wants Jeff Green to stop deferring to future Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce and headstrong All-Star Rajon Rondo.

Of course, it can’t be easy for Green, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Kendrick Perkins.

He doesn’t have the luxury of training camp, the regular season, or practices. He must learn on the fly. The playoffs are fast approaching.

Green’s best strategy is to use his athleticism and size on both ends of the floor to be an effort player. In time, he’ll get comfortable with the team’s half-court sets. Then, he’ll become more assertive.

For now, the Celtics have to settle for a nice guy.

--Oly Sandor.

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O'Neal missed 27 games with foot and Achilles' tendon injuries and was making his first appearance since Feb. 1. "The update is that it's not the same injury," Rivers said. "Had nothing to do with the Achilles; it's a calf strain. It's not a bad strain, but it's a strain. So similar to the one Von [Wafer] had but not even close to the severity. Well, 'I don't know [when he will be back]' is the answer."

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"It's been a pleasure to bring my talents to south beach now on to Memphis''.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Can you say rivalry?

The Boston Celtics do not like the Miami Heat. Not one bit.

The Celtics, who were a quarter away from winning the NBA Title, are miffed the Heat was picked to win the Eastern Conference, even though The Holy Trinity had yet to play a game together.

After manhandling the Heat for the second time in two weeks, Pierce, the Celtics’ closer and leading scorer, felt obligated to talk a little viral trash. His tweet is spoofing James’ (in)famous line during The Decision. 

Fair enough. Pierce has good reason to be confident.

Kevin Garnett has turned back the clock; Rajon Rondo is the NBA’s top all-around table-setter; Ray Allen’s stroke is still silky; the bench will be productive, especially when Kendrick Perkins and Delonte West get healthy.

Garnett and Rondo, in particular, should please Pierce and worry the Heat

The Big Ticket is one of many physical Boston posts who will give Miami’s smaller frontline trouble. Also, Rondo will have his way with the underwhelming Carlos Arroyo.

A rivalry is brewing between the Celtics and Heat. Right now, it’s one way, though.

--Oly Sandor.

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He’s (Rajon Rondo) the best point guard in the world right now."

Forgive Delonte West if he might be seeing things through rose colored glasses. His nickname is Redz. He’s part African-American and part Piscataway Indian. He is wearing green again and his personality has a color all its own. There are a lot of colors to Delonte West. He also has a negative to put far into the rear view mirror.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s the NBA's best all-around point guard, but not the NBA’s best point guard.

Rajon Rondo is an excellent table-setter, capable of penetrating, distributing, defending, and leading. However, he’s not The Guy. He’s not the crème de la crème of lead guards. 

Rondo’s shooting and free throws need work. Too often, opposing defences dare him to fire him away from the outside. And the Utah Jazz’s Deron Williams is a more complete player.

Still, the University of Kentucky grad is the straw that stirs the Boston Celtics’ drink. The green-and-white will go as far as he takes them in 2011.

If Rondo’s Celtics win a championship next June, he’ll be worthy of the ‘best point guard’ title.

--Got thoughts?

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 "It was great to practice every day against the best young talent in the league, a veteran like Chauncey Billups and play for a Hall of Fame coach [Mike Krzyzewski]," Rondo said. "But some of these guys hadn't played since April. Lamar [Odom] and I had just got out of Game 7. And next season is right around the corner. I feel like I had to take advantage of the opportunity I have right now to win another championship. It's not often you get to play with four Hall of Famers. Another couple of years and I won't have that."

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s hard to criticize Rajon Rondo’s decision to step away from Team USA.

Rondo hadn’t recovered from the Boston Celtics’ crushing seven-game loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. He was drained and needed rest.

The emerging table-setter understands the championship window is closing on the green-and-white. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce – also known as The Big Three - are hitting the end of their careers.

Rondo knows he needs to be at full strength in 2011 and 2012 because opportunities to win championships are rare. Playing in the World Championship would be tiring.

Fortunately, Stars and Stripes had talented floor leaders in Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Eric Gordon, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. His departure wasn’t an issue and, in fact, eased the log-jam at point guard. 

Rondo’s choice may be a win-win for all involved.

--Oly Sandor.

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Managing Partner Robert Sarver offered him a five-year, $96.6 million contract with $56 million guaranteed and the rest kicking in if Stoudemire logged significant minutes in the third and fourth years.

"The greater goal was to have a sense of security. I didn't want a football deal (with some or all of the money non-guaranteed). I want a NBA deal. That's what I ended up getting."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: His thriftiness will finally benefit the Phoenix Suns.

For years, owner Robert Sarver hasn’t invested in his team. Initially, he had alligator arms, but recently his banking and real estate empire was hit by the financial downturn.

Bottom line: the Suns patriarch let Joe Johnson leave because he didn’t want to pay him market value and first round draft picks were given away because he wouldn’t fork out for rookie contracts.

Such an approach has hurt. Johnson is an excellent player, who righted the morbid Atlanta Hawks. The draft picks have materialized into established pro Rudy Fernandez and star Rajon Rondo.  

But Sarver was right not to break the bank for Amar’e Stoudemire, though. Sure, STAT is an athletic freak and perennial All-Star.

Still, $100 million is too much for a forward who treats defense like a contagious disease and has a history of injuries. A partially guaranteed contract made sense -even if the pogo-stick post left for the New York Knicks. 

The jury is out on Stoudemire’s replacements, though. Channing Frye is talented, but inconsistent; Turkoglu, while skilled, had a sub par 2010 with Toronto; and Warrick has never fulfilled his potential.

Sarver and the front office are thinking Turkoglu and Warrick will improve because of Steve Nash and the Suns’ up-tempo system. They’re also hoping Frye produces more regularly.   

This trio of forwards may or may not work out. However, the Suns believe they’re less of a risk than overpaying Stoudemire.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Celtics point guard withdrew from Team USA yesterday, sensing the writing on the wall as coach Mike Krzyzewski began to test different backcourt combinations minus Rondo.

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Did he withdraw? Or, did he get cut?

These are the questions surrounding Rajon Rondo’s departure from Team USA on Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday’s news may have been sudden, but it wasn't surprising.

Rondo swallowed his first career DNP-CD (Did Not Play-Coaches Decision) against Spain. While his poor outside range and inconsistent free-throw shooting were rarely exposed with the Boston Celtics, it would have been a liability in international play.

Clearly, Rondo didn’t fit Coach Mike Krzyewski’s plans, so parting ways made sense.        

After losing the championship in heartbreaking fashion to the Los Angeles Lakers, Rondo needed time off to heal his mind and body. A death in his extended family wouldn’t have helped, either.

Team USA is also point guard heavy, with table-setters Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. All are better shooters than Rondo.  Even if he made the final roster, there would have been few minutes available.

Bottom line: whether he withdrew or got cut, Rondo and stars-and-stripes are better off after yesterday’s decision.

--Oly Sandor.   

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Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo doesn't agree with those that are already handing the 2011 NBA Title to the Heat. "They should be good, but they ain't done nothing yet," Rondo said recently. "They ain't done nothing."

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: He's right.

While training with USA Basketball in Las Vegas, Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo wondered why the Miami Heat has been handed the 2011 NBA championship.

Miami will be good, very good.

Rondo correctly points out that the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are still the team to beat. The Lakers have balance, chemistry, and defense. The Heat does not. It will take time to establish these components.

On-paper, South Beach does look good. They have their Three Kings: Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade. They have their supporting pieces: Joel Anthony, Udonis Haslem, Juwan Howard, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, and Mike Miller.

But Haslem and Wade are the only strong defensive players on the roster, so the Heat may struggle to advance out the Eastern Conference.

For instance: how will Miami's star-studded roster match-up against Boston`s tough guys?

The Heat will take those meaningless games in the regular season. The outcome could be different in the playoffs when the best defensive team wins. Bottom line: the Heat isn’t a better defensive squad than the Celtics.

Last year, the green-and-white used their get-stops mentality to take out the highly favoured Cavaliers and Magic in the playoffs. And their grinding style nearly beat the Lakers in the NBA Finals.

Rondo is right. For now, we should hold off anointing the Heat NBA champions.

--Oly Sandor.

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