The real reason Rajon Rondo and the Mavericks didn’t work out

Apr 13, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) leaves the court after losing to the Utah Jazz 109-92 at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

As has been well documented, Rajon Rondo joining the Dallas Mavericks turned out to be a failed experiment. The mercurial point guard didn’t even play in the final three playoff games against the Houston Rockets after suffering a mysterious injury. The exact details may never be known, but it was clear that Rondo and head coach Rick Carlisle did not get along. However, coaches and players haven’t gotten along plenty of times. The real reason Rajon Rondo and the Mavericks didn’t work out, is because Charlie Villanueva beat Rondo in Connect Four.

As has also been well documented, Rondo is a Connect Four wizard, regularly schooling anyone who dares to challenge him–even little kids. But apparently Charlie V got the better of him one day before a game. At least that’s the story Dirk Nowitzki told on the radio the other day.

"“I did not, but I saw him get beat though. Before the game, one of his first games, one of the Mavs’ employees brought a Connect Four over and it was just sitting there. I think Charlie V played him one time real quick. I walked by, it was before the game and everyone has their routines, and I walk by and Charlie put the last one in to beat him. So it was like a melee back there. They were yelling and screaming. And I was like, ‘What’s going on here? It’s gameday. We have a game in less than an hour. That was huge for Charlie. He let Rondo hear that for the next couple of weeks for sure.”"

So sure, Rondo and Carlisle may have had their differences, but it’s pretty clear that this wasn’t going to work from the start. How could Rondo feel comfortable on a team with people that could actually beat him in Connect Four?

(h/t Eye on Basketball)