Rajon Rondo cheered by Boston Celtics fans in return with Mavericks (Video)
By Josh Hill
Rajon Rondo was traded to the Dallas Mavericks at the end of 2014, but he returned to Boston to kick of 2015 and was greeted with cheers from fans still loyal to him.
The Boston Celtics traded Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks at the end of December, and in doing so the team jettisoned one of the franchise’s last great players to officially begin building for the future. Rondo was traded to Dallas for what has amounted to spare parts, but that doesn’t mean fans still harbor a lot of love for their former point guard.
More from Boston Celtics
- Predicting NBA’s Christmas Day Schedule: Lakers, Warriors highlight slate of postseason rematches
- Jaylen Brown signs richest contract in NBA history without a left hand
- Boston Celtics projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
- David Griffin thanks rival Celtics for leverage in Anthony Davis trade talks
- NBA rumors: Damian Lillard trade becoming more trouble than it’s worth for Celtics
Eastern Conference and Western Conference teams don’t link up a whole lot, but the Dallas Mavericks happened to be in town on Friday night to play the Celtics in what is Rajon Rondo’s first game back at TD Garden since being traded.
Fans knew it was coming, and they rose to their feet to welcome back Rajon Rondo on Friday night when he was introduced as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
A video tribute was played for Rondo after the game started, and he thanked fans after it was played as they continued to give him the standing ovation he deserved.
Rondo had spent his entire career up to the middle of last month with the Celtics, something that has made him a legend in Boston. But it’s not just his longevity that made Rondo a start with the Celtics, it was his toughness. Despite a torn ACL that ended his season prematurely a year ago and a tough start to this season, Rondo has never had his toughness questioned.
In one of his most infamous games, Rondo dislocated his elbow against the Miami Heat in an Eastern Conference playoff game, but returned after wrapping it up to help lead the Celtics. That was the epitome of Rajon Rondo’s love for the Celtics and that love was and still is being returned by fans even though he’s returning to the TD Garden in different colors.
More from FanSided
- Joe Burrow owes Justin Herbert a thank you note after new contract
- Chiefs gamble at wide receiver could already be biting them back
- Braves-Red Sox start time: Braves rain delay in Boston on July 25
- Yankees: Aaron Boone gives optimistic return date for Aaron Judge
- MLB Rumors: Yankees-Phillies trade showdown, Mariners swoop, India goes to Seattle