Brooklyn Nets’ Paul Pierce talks up Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo

For the first time since he was drafted with the 21st overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft, Boston Celtics’ point guard Rajon Rondo is playing without future Hall-of-Fame swingman Paul Pierce.

Pierce, along with Kevin Garnett, was traded to the Brooklyn Nets before the season, clearing the way for the  Celtics to try to rebuild.

On Friday night, Pierce and Rondo met on the court.

Rondo’s Celtics bested Pierce’s Nets behind arguably Rondo’s best game of the season. He scored 20 points, dished out nine assists, pulled down seven rebounds and recorded four steals in 35 minutes of play.

Rondo and Pierce are still friends and Pierce had nothing but good things to say after the game.

“In the end, me and Rondo share a special bond,” Pierce told Chris Forsberg of ESPN Boston. “We’ll always be friends, we’ll always have something in common with our championship, our kids still hang out together.”

Pierce also believes Rondo will be a fantastic leader.

“They are a young team, they got a mix of some veterans, some young guys they are developing and they are only going to get better,” said Pierce. “Rondo is leading them right now, moving into the next generation of Celtics. I think their future is going to be very bright.”