In yesterday’s Daily Gossip, it was reported that Rajon Rondo was talk of a possible trade to Dallas. It didn’t take long for the actual trade to actually take place.
RONDO TRADED TO MAVERICKS
While it was remarkably quick that the rumour turned into an actual reality. Rajon Rondo was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Dallas Mavericks.
Via ESPN.com:
The Celtics are sending the All-Star point guard and forward Dwight Powell to Dallas for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and draft picks.
Boston will also receive a conditional first-round pick in the 2015 draft and a second-rounder in 2016, as well as a $12.9 million trade exception.
My time in Boston has meant so much,” Rondo wrote on Twitter in addressing his departure. “I’ve grown up with this city both as a basketball player and person. The love I have for the most loyal And supportive fans in the league is unmatched.
“I look forward to building something special in Dallas.”
The Mavericks are 19-8 overall. They next play against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night in Dallas.
“We would like to thank Rajon for everything that he has done for the Celtics organization and the success we have experienced during his tenure with us,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said.
KOBE ISN’T HIRING KD … YET
Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant is aware of what Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant said about him. But the man who recently passed Michael Jordan as the league’s third all-time leading scorer isn’t hiring last season’s MVP.
Via ESPNLosAngeles:
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant has openly praised Kobe Bryant, saying he’d love to play with the Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard.
And while Bryant said he hasn’t yet recruited Durant, who is set to become a free agent in 2016, Bryant didn’t rule out trying to lure last season’s MVP to the Lakers either.
“No, I think we know each other pretty well,” Bryant said Thursday at the Lakers’ practice facility here, leading into Friday’s game between the Thunder (12-13) and Lakers (8-17) at Staples Center.
“I don’t think it’s a discussion that you have in terms of coming here. But I think it’s more of an understanding how to play with each other.”
Said Bryant, “If the opportunity came up, then that’s the time to have that discussion.”
It’s no secret that the Lakers are among many teams that plan to pursue Durant when he hits free agency.
…
Bryant praised how much Durant has changed his game since joining the NBA.
“When he first came into the league, he was more of a perimeter player,” Bryant said. “He’s since evolved his game to now being a great post player, a great passer out of double teams, a great mid-range game. His evolution as a basketball player just keeps getting better and better.”
Bryant was asked if adding Durant — or any star — would entice him to extend his career beyond next season, when his two-year extension worth $48.5 million is set to expire.
“I don’t know. Maybe,” Bryant said. “But it’s really my call, man. If I want to play, I’ll play. If I don’t, I don’t. If I don’t want to play anymore and go through the process of getting my body ready day in and day out, I’m not going to play.”
JIMMY BUTLER ISN’T A STAR
Whatever you do, don’t call Chicago Bulls’ Jimmy Butler a star.
Via Chicago Bulls website:
“I don’t want be a star,” Butler was saying in answer to a question after the Bulls struggling 103-97 victory Thursday over the New York Knicks. “I just want to be a decent role player on a really good team. Whatever my team needs: If that’s scoring, rebounding, passing the ball or just playing defense, that’s my job on this team. Those guys are always looking for me to be successful. Whenever you have teammates like that who have confidence in you, it’s very easy to have confidence in yourself.
“I think I’m Ok at scoring right now,” said Butler. “They give me the ball in incredible position and make it really easy for me; they’re good at driving and kicking and finding me to where I really don’t have to do too much. That’s what great teammates are all about. They see I’m in a rhythm and continue to do that for me. I’ve never been the best player on my team, never probably will be. But I’ve always been a hard worker, a guy who doesn’t give up on himself, who has the most confidence in himself. Now I play for the Chicago Bulls.”
“You can’t say enough about it him,” said (Tom) Thibodeau in his usual preface for Butler. “He takes big shots, plays defense, gets to the line. He makes plays, plays unselfishly, plays hard, doesn’t not take any possessions off. Just having a phenomenal year. My thing to him is why put a lid on it? Where can it go; I don’t know? All I know is it keeps going up. That is how I want him to approach it. He brings great concentration and great effort every day. You bring those things, couple that with his talent, great things are going to happen and he’s showing that. The best leadership you can have is by doing all the right things. You can’t put any more into than he’s putting into it now. When you look at our season with Joakim (Noah) being out for a good chunk of it, Taj (Gibson) being out for a good chunk of it, Derrick (Rose) being out for a good chunk of it, thankfully he’s played that way; same with Pau (Gasol). That’s really carried us. And Aaron Brooks and Niko (Nikola Mirotić) off the bench have been a huge bonus for us. […] “Jimmy is very versatile,” noted Thibodeau. “He’s a power guard; he can go off the dribble, post him, pick and roll with him, catch and shoot with him. He’s real smart. You can run offense with him; he can handle the ball. There’s not much he can’t do and defensively he is great. He’s as good as it gets in this league. I leave anything out?”
