Two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo recently opened up about his tumultuous stint with the Dallas Mavericks, revealing that head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t want to coach him.
Rondo stated that contrary to popular belief, he didn’t quit on the Mavericks but was informed that Carlisle didn’t want him on the team.
This revelation came during Rondo’s conversation with former teammate Chandler Parsons on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, where he detailed the origin of the disconnect.
Rondo explained that Carlisle began dictating how he should run the team, which Rondo perceived as disrespectful.
“They’re like, [Rick Carlisle] doesn’t want to coach you anymore, so we’re going to say your back is hurting and you’re done playing,” Rondo said.
The point guard added that this led to the perception among fans that he quit on the organization, a notion he vehemently denies.
“That’s why when I go back to Dallas, every time I get boo’d like it’s if I quit on the organization… I’ve never quit on anything in life,” Rondo emphasized.
Rondo’s time in Dallas was marked by clashes with Carlisle, culminating in a contentious playoff series where Rondo was benched.
