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Irish Coffee: Summer of Rajon Rondo gives way to winter 11.29.12 at 2:12 am ET
By

If this is what Rajon Rondo thinks of leadership, the Celtics are in big trouble.

All summer, everyone from president Danny Ainge to coach Doc Rivers and on down the line told anyone who would listen that this is the 26-year-old point guard’s team now. No longer Paul Pierce‘s. Not Kevin Garnett‘s. But a matured Rondo’s. Then, Wednesday night’s Nets game happened.

Just as he did last season, when he thew a ball at one referee and chest-bumped another, Rondo let his emotions get the best of him, completely overreacting to a hard Kris Humphries foul on Kevin Garnett late in the first half.

As referee crew chief James Caper said after a home Celtics loss to the Nets that was much uglier than the 95-83 final at the TD Garden, “Rondo initiated everything that proceeded after the foul.”

In other words, just as he was last season, Rondo will be suspended, especially considering he threw closed fists as he shoved Humphries into the stands. His history won’t help, either. Speculation sets the over/under on games the Celtics will be without their so-called leader at 3-5 games, but as New York Times reporter Howard Beck suggested, “Nate Robinson and J.R. Smith got 10 games each because they continued fight into the stands.”

Just like his legendary 37-game double-digit assist streak of John Stockton proportions, Rondo’s maturation process came to a screeching halt against the Nets. With it, probably, goes his Most Valuable Player aspirations. When’s the last time an NBA MVP was suspended for fighting during a season? This was the year he was supposed to make the leap. Instead, he takes a step backwards. After the game, Rondo left without speaking to the media, leaving Pierce, Garnett and the rest of his Celtics teammates to face questions only he could answer.

“You don’t want to get into any altercations where it’s going to cost you any games,” said Pierce, who dubbed the altercation “a pushing match” from his limited perspective. “The best you can do is try to play mediator in there.”

“I don’t think anybody should get thrown out of a game,” added Rivers. “We all have to keep our emotions.”

“Since I’ve been here, we’ve taken a lot of pride with being C’s, putting this jersey on, and sometimes I question that we really understand what it means, and that’s bothersome,” finished Garnett. “I’m a very prideful person, as is true of a lot of people who built this before me, and the due diligence and the responsibility that comes with that has to be self. You’ve got to look yourself in the mirror, but we’ve got to get that back somehow.”

Ironically, Rondo emerged from the scuffle without his Celtics jersey on. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that they’re struggling to find an identity in the same season they declared Rondo as the face of their franchise. For the past five years, the C’s built their reputation on toughness, mentally and physically, forcing guys like Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Joe Johnson and Andray Blatche to lose their cool. Now? Just the opposite.

“If I’m Brooklyn and the league, you’ve got to think we’re pretty soft the way we’re playing,” said Rivers. “We’re a soft team right now; we have no toughness. And that stuff’s not toughness. All that stuff, that’s not toughness.”

“When you rate effort as a whole, yeah, I would say [we didn't meet theirs],” said Garnett, who wasn’t without fault, shoving Wallace in the aftermath. “That’s hard to say, because I play hard every night, but I’m speaking on a team aspect, so that’s very difficult to answer, but yes”: The Nets had more fight between the whistles.

Even before Rondo’s ejection, the Celtics had fallen behind by as many as 21 points. A guy who sat the final month of season due to lack of conditioning (Blatche) and a 38-year-old (Jerry Stackhouse) were already embarrassing them. It’s no wonder the Nets spent much of the postgame laughing at the other locker room.

“Mentally tough. Lot of fiber on our team. And a battle. They battled and they fought hard, literally I guess. And they just didn’t give in. They didn’t give in to any adversity tonight.” That could’ve been Doc Rivers talking at any point over the past five seasons. Instead, that’s coming from Nets coach Avery Johnson.

This is Doc Rivers: “Kevin, Paul and Rondo and a couple other guys — it’s almost like they understand the jersey they’re wearing and the pride. And everybody else — and not everyone — it’s almost like they think because they put the jersey on that they are something. You’ve got to earn it here.”

Where else does this Celtics group get that message from than their leader? You’ve got to earn that, too. Sure, Rondo came to the defense of his teammate and friend, but at what cost? His team stands at 8-7, fourth place in their division, and faces a new streak: One without Rondo, an invaluable piece to their unsolved puzzle. And does Garnett really need to rely upon the 6-foot-1, 185-pound little engine that could to fight a grudge that goes back almost a decade, when Humphries starred at University of Minnesota while Garnett played for the Timberwolves?

The summer of Rondo is over, and it could be a long winter if he doesn’t become the leader Ainge, Rivers and everybody else declared him to be. But that’ll have to wait until after the suspension, of course.

(Have a question, concern or conception for the next Irish Coffee? Send a message to @brohrbach on Twitter.)

Read More: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Kevin Garnett, Kris Humphries Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q54USQJSUOS5YOL3FIOXWLDVQY S B

    They will, however, be adding a new gorilla suit this spring.

  • ghost of fred lynn

    4th place! 

  • EarlSweatshirt

    The Cardinals had to trade Colby Rasmus for a few months of Edwin Jackson.  Now Colby might’ve underperformed, but his trade value was fairly high at the time of the deal.  Will the Red Sox actually be willing to part with their prospects at the deadline?  The Red Sox can fill needs with just money right now…why hope that the spaghetti sticks with the only contigency plan of trading prospects in a real seller’s market?   I just think it’s dumb to count on the top three staying healthy AND having two others step foward to give league average production.  What happened to the “there’s no such thing as a bad one year deal” talk?  The Red Sox can get a midrotation starter, coming off a good season, in his prime, for a relatively cheap on year contract.  Offering just $5-6m, after dealing Scutaro, is unacceptable to me.  If there isn’t another move before ST, the Scutaro deal is terrible and I hope the owners get booed trying to pimp out Fenway’s 100th bday on Opening Day.  The Ortiz arb offer is looking worse by the day…

  • Gibba1924

    All I can say is I bet They don’t drop the price of tickets, beer, hot dogs or a Baseball hat!! Gotta love how they all of a sudden they can’t afford … bet they don’t give two rats @$$e$$ that most people can’t afford to go to a game .. but guess what, it’s either don’t go or spend money you don’t have …. If they want to cheap out on the players and make us watch a sub par product on the field they should drop the price of tickets … but we all know that won’t happen!!!

  • Michael

    Happy centennial Fenway!

    - punt -

  • Typical Boston Fan

    I have a magical idea!!! STOP COMPLAINING AND DON’T GO TO THE DAM GAMES!!!! Feed them money and all your complaining is useless.

  • 2012 Red Sox

    Sox will be fine.. Acrves can be a strong #4 with a complete contest for #5 among 6-7 guys. Dice K may be back by All Star break and could prove to be a healthy hungry addition. With the defensive additions and way stronger bullpen the SOX will prove to be much stronger this year than last – throw Bobby V in the mix to drop the hammer and we are looking good gentlemen!

  • Jim

    Neither of these guys gets us out of 3rd place. We need a situation like 2002 when D lowe stepped up in his first year as a starter and won 20 games.Maybe Bard wins 15 and Dice-K comes back after the Allstar break and wins 5.

  • AL34

    If Young Ben goes into the season without picking up another starter this team is done. No guarantee that any of the top 3 will top 200 innings. There are no guarantees on Bard being a success story at the 4th spot. As far as the 5th spot they are hoping that someone emerges from all the team throwaways they picked up on the scrap heap. Its ashamed because if they had not gotten cheap in the offseason and picked up another solid pitcher they may have been okay.

  • Hank

    You’re all a lot of misguided, reactionary fools.  It really is amazing how short fans’ memories can be.  This team was one of the best in all of baseball prior to last year’s September collapse.  That was with Lackey pitching substandard all season.  Now Adrian’s shoulder is 100% and he has a year in the AL East under his belt.  The top three starters are healthy and motivated.  The bullpen is solid with Melancon and Bailey.  You still have huge run producers in Ortiz, Pedroia, Youk, and Ellsbury.  Most teams lack that kind of offense.  Remember when the Yankees were a laughing stock because they had Colon and Garcia in the rotation?  That worked out pretty well for them, didn’t it?  The Sox will very likely make the playoffs this year and they have the talent RIGHT NOW to win the division.  To say otherwise is simply ignorant.

    • WHITEY

      Hank, I am a diehard fan, but I think your assesment of their staff is a little short-sighted.  Yes Lester is a horse, but Beckett has been too inconsistent to rely on him, and Buchholz is a nice #3 when he stays healthy.  The 4 and 5 spots scare the hell out of me!!!  If you remember, the Sox put Bard in the pen because he failed as a starter…I really think they wont get much from Padilla, or any of the other “bargain basement” acqusitions.  They have a completely retooled bullpen, that is a big question mark.  I think Ells, Pedey, and Gonzo will put up solid numbers, but the other guys also scare me!! Papi is now another year older, Youk’s body is starting to fail him, and frigin Crawford is injured, and wont be able to prepare  like he normally would, missing the beginning of the season.  The have questions in right and at short, and Salty is just average.  God forbid they lose one of their “big 3″ to injury for an extended period,and they will be toast!!  They made a half-arse offer to Oswalt, and have no chance to land him!!  Again, I am a huge fan, but I am also a realist, so we will see what happens.  I am going into this season with no expectations, so I wont get a damn ulcer!

    • WHITEY

      To add to my comments.  Why is someone giving an opinion that you dont like ignorant??  First, the Yanks added two very solid pitchers, which in my OPINNION,gives them just as good, if not a better staff than the Sox.  Tampa arguably will have the best staff in the bigs this year. Also, the Al west is strong this year.  The 2nd place team in that division between Anaheim, and Texas will more than likely win the wildcard. he Al Central also got considerably stronger this year too!!  The Sox will need to win 92-95 games ths year to make the playoffs, and I hate to say that I dont think they have the horses to do that. I hope i’m wrong!!

      • Hank

        Well thought out, but misguided.  This offense is still as prolific as any in baseball.  Adrian is poised to put up even better numbers than last year.  Youk is actually very healthy for the first time in a while.  And when you consider the reclamation project acquisitions along with Bard and the return of Dice-K (who is way ahead of schedule), a solid 4 starter is certain to emerge.  All you really need from a 4 guy is 12 wins and a sub-5 ERA, which is very doable.  Oswalt is as much of a question mark as any of them.  The guy hasn’t pitched in the AL and he is hurt.  Why throw money at him?  They are better off waiting until the trade deadline when better talent might be available.  Losing a starter to injury would be a big problem, but you can say that about 90% of the teams in MLB.  Where would the Rangers have been last year sans C.J. Wilson?  Answer: not in the playoffs.  You need to remain healthy to win, period.  Not to mention MLB is likely going to add a second wild card sport this year.  The Sox will contend an probably make the playoffs.  Your opinion is incorrect.

  • Lipper

    I agree that the Sox will finish in 3rd, if not 4th place and not make the playoffs, even with another wild card team!
    1st Skankees
    2nd Rays
    3rd Blue Jays
    4th Sox
    5th Orioles
    Hey Ben why not up the price to assure yourself we can get Jackson or Oswalt! Offer a 1yr deal between 6-8mil

  • Dano S

    It would be sweet one of these guys signed and the Super Bowl.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q54USQJSUOS5YOL3FIOXWLDVQY S B

    Now that Jackson has signed with Washington it is apparent that Boston will not be adding any pitching and will again be missing the playoffs.  

  • http://www.FromThisSeat.com/ FromThisSeat.com

    This guy needs to go ahead and forget everything he learned in Chicago and start from scratch .

  • WadeJohn

    Kid throws gas, 18yr old lefty already throwin 90plus, nice!……”put another shrimp on the barbe!–Lloyd Christmas

  • markefatdad

    This kid is a great catch for the Sox.  His mother is from the Cape and he grew up a Sox fan.  He’s got good stuff and the right build for success.  He’s smart and coachable, too.  Best of luck to him.

  • Chuckpro

    The name McGrath is synonymous with throwing of a ball in Australia. Glenn McGrath was the greatest fast bowler, that’s pitcher to us Yanks, in the history of Australian cricket. I wonder if there is a connection because the age seems about right. It is reasonable to assume that the ability to throw a ball fast is an inheritable trait.

  • Louandjan

     am tired of sour fans  constantly complaining about this years team.they are alot better than last years team. pap was a constant high wire act the last  2 yrs.. he was only sometimes lights out  mostly it was scary when he pitched. i called him the halloween man.  the sox will have alot better production from the rt. field position in hitting and fielding.
    crawful should be closer to crawford. gonzo’s shoulder should be stronger
    , pedey’s foot should be improved, youk should have a better season than last year. salty should continue to improve shoppach and lavy are huge improvements over tek. the starting pitching w/o lack is a plus already. 
    beckett will be on a mission , lester had lat issues last year should do a little better, buck lost 1/2 the season due to back , so his production should be better, aceves has never been given a chance to start consistently and should show promise over lack and dice. bard should also be better than lackey, our bull pen will be  a huge strenght – melanson, bailey, albers, miller will be back healthy, doubront should be in shape and healthy, and one or two out of the nine starters  invited to spring training  will definitly contribute plus several youngster should be close to helping, also punto and/ aviles is marco scute’s equal in talent.  bobby v  brings electricity. poppy and jake are poppy and jake.   go sox.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_Q54USQJSUOS5YOL3FIOXWLDVQY S B

    Leisure Suit Larry is going to guarantee 3rd place at best this year if he doesn’t spend money and get additional starting pitching.

  • 81Zeke1471

    Are there any real Red Sox fans out there.  Forget the money and concentrate on the team: PERIOD!!!

    If the Sox managers were like the fans who comment here, they would be lucky to win 50% 0f the games.

    Terry was GREAT, won 2 World Series!! Carl C. will be great, too and will the newest GM.   I would be soooooo pleased if the Sox won even one World Series in the next decade. 
    Be Sox fans, cheer then on and forget their salaries!!!!!!!

  • Lartan

    Either these are bandwagon fans, or they got spoiled. The Sox have had the most competative team over the last decade, than they have ever had in the history of the franchise. Does everyone want them to be like the Yankees, and try to buy a championship. That dosen’t seem to work, anyways. I don’t understand what everyone is complaining about. This team is already stacked with Allstars. Maybe they won’t win the world series every year, but they will be very competative for years to come.  

  • OutofTownFan

    The real problem is: the Sox have spent a ton of money on a less than stellar roster. 

    Beckett, Lester and Bucholz and yet no ace in the lot.

    Over $20M/season on Lackey and DiceK.

    Ortiz. Too much for a player with limited fielding and base running skills.

    Youk. Too much for a veteran player on the decline.

    Underwhelming at catcher, shortstop and rightfield.

    Crawford. Too much even if he returns to career performance levels.

    Gonzo. A lot of stats but not enough impact given the salary and talent given up to acquire.  

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_RPAM6JUAW5JNAXSHB7TBBH73MM Tom

    Sox have had a lot of bad luck w/injuries. Only problem there is it’s like 2 years running. Need to see if it’s just bad luck or maybe their docs or perhaps just lucky enough to cobble together a bunch of invalids. At any rate, need to accomodate that as part of the game plan.

    Biggest beef: completely screwed the pooch with the Crawford signing. *Just* when they were going to get out from the completely crappy Drew contract, they saddle themselves with an even *bigger* albatross. Crawford wasn’t worth that money (except in roto land) when he was *Crawford*. Now, if he’s something less, good luck. Forget about batting avg, steals, think about it– a corner who scores 90 run with 75 rbi a year. That’s basically Johnny Damon level (*current* Damon at that). You really can’t do better with $170 million?

  • RobDX

    Manny a zero risk….doesn’t that sound like the Haynesworth of the MLB?

  • nysteve

    I cannot remember a baseball season that I have NOT looked forward to as much as the upcoming season. I’ll watch games but not at the interest level of past years. It is a combination of  overcommercialization of Sox broadcasts “buy a brick” “come to the game and eat a lobster”, the way the fouled up last season, and the overall unwatchability of the average baseball game. Games last too long… each at bat is too long….. time between each pitch too long. sorry.. I am done devoting 3.5+ hours to watch games. I’ll tune in for an inning and come back from time to time to watch. Definitely not going to Fenway – MLB as all professional sports is overpriced and does not provide the value for my entertainment dollar. 

  • Glabrown

    topper 63 and unreachablestar67 are over reacting.  The bottom line is they played lousy baseball in September.  The beer and chicken had nothing to do with their performance.  However, when you stink up the joint, everything is scrutinized.  I don’t agree with beer in the clubhouse…period.  But these guys are human beings (Yes we’d all trade our souls to be able to have their opportunity) who have a not so glamorous side of the game.  The travel is brutal and there is nary a time to have a decent sit down meal.  Munching in the clubhouse is almost a necessity, though it should be restricted during the games.  Every player should be on the bench or in the bullpen, supporting their team.

  • Fredd_volvo

    Leadership is, as Pedroia said – Leading by Example – and you cannot doubt his character and dedication to the team and the game.

    But the Leadership that was missing in last year’s edition was the owner of the uniform with the “C” on it.  There was no sign of enthusiasm on his face throughout the whole year. He sat on the bench like a spectator and rarely showed excitement.  And if there were any issues within the ranks, it would have been his duty to deal with it.

    I liked the guy as a catcher when he had his stuff and I hope he finds something rewarding to do in the future.

    By the way – No one outside of the media (and maybe Nancy Grace) gives a flying hoot what they eat and drink off the field.  Let it Die…..

  • LJ

    Pedey’s value as a “leader” is not in policing his teammates.  He does lead by example in that no one can dispute that he gives it all he’s got in every way.  Perhaps some of you naysayers didn’t see him on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the caption, “The Heart of the Red Sox.”  And they nailed it.

  • cheapcnjerseys

    Buy nfl jerseys, jerseys shop, mlb jerseys shop, wholesale mlb jerseys shop, buy jerseys online, soccer jerseys shop online, nfl jerseys store online
     

  • Huh! What?

    Whose paying whom to “design” these uniforms?

  • Nfc1918

    There is your proof welker took steroids on rehab.

  • KCF

    WOW, what a difference!!! Not.

  • Prof_nexus

    Bring back Pat.

  • PATSOX

    Will Gronk be on the Madden cover banging a porn star?

  • http://www.facebook.com/jherrera617 Joseph Jonathan Herrera

    I really hope Gronk loses here.  Why would we want the Madden curse?  I am going to vote for Victor Cruz lol

  • Dano S

    Pats Mock Draft 43.0 1 Luke Kuechly ILB BC 1 Andre Branch DE Clemson
    2 David Wilson RB Virginia Tech 2 Mike Martin DL Michigan
    3 Kevin Zeitler OL Wisconsin 4 Casey Haywood CB Vanderbilt.
    As far as Wes Welker’s dropped pass any great team will tell you that you win as a team you also loose as a team.Welker is right he moved on from it. 

  • Sully65

    No way the Pats draft twice in first round. They will draft once in first and acquire 2nd and 3rd for the other

  • Djs1132

    the pats are going to draft either mercilus or branch at 27 unless upshaw actually did fall to them then theyd take him and hope one of branch or mercilus were still available at 31 i got the feeling they are all in this draft pass rush first and if i got 2 of those guys in the first id draft either vinny curry orbruce irvin with the 48th pick youd have 2 young de`s and a young olb all pass rushers

  • Demarco606

    If you have Fletcher Cox 25th. you should be doing something else.

  • Jimmy Freeze

    Another annual laugh fest with prognosticators projecting that BB “HAS TO” take a pass rusher in the 1st round…Why?..and what makes anyone think he will reverse a career-long trend?  He just doesn’t believe in it…especially when there are options like Vin Curry and Shea McClellin who will go in the 2nd round.  I can’t believe he would pass on an all-around stud like Upshaw to take on a high-risk guy like Mercilus…Ditto on Harrison Smith…even if he likes him as a prospect, BB would NEVER waste a 1st rnd pick on him when he could trade back to get him, and get another pick.  BB will be working hard to get an early third pick…there are alot of interesting guys in that range, and Pats don’t have a pick there

  • Bob Kraft

    How does Cox falls to #25?

  • Benny

    Get him if the money is right!!!!  The guy can still play!!!  More of a run stopper than a good pass defender though…

  • PATS SPEND MONEY 2012

    GOOD WE NEED HELP ON S.T. AND DEFENSE

  • Dano S

    I hope Bell gets signed by Pats before Draft. Pats Mock Draft 47.0
    Pats trade a number one pick this year for additional 2nd and fourth round picks.
    1 Zach Brown OLB UNC 2 Chandler Jones DE Syracuse 2 Mitchell Schwartz OL California
    2 Casey Hayward CB Vanderbilt 3 Brian Linthicum TE Michigan State 4 Trenton Robinson S Michigan St. 4 Davin Maggett RB Maryland.

  • shack

    why not lets get him in camp and see what he”s got left

  • DMC1542

    obviously not coming to the Pats after big mouth Drew had to talk about it, come on, we all know that’s not how Bill rolls. Saying the Pats are interested is just a sure-fire way to get him signed to the big mouth Jets! put it in the bank

  • LA34LA34

    EPSTEIN , WHAT ARE YOU ON? CRACK!!!!!!!  SUPER THEO  WHAT A JOKE.

  • glenn88

     Dano, everytime I read one of your mock drafts my football IQ drops 10 points.   You would think after 42 attempts you would submit one that makes sense.

  • Quitesanemax

     Bull.  I put more blame on Brady for throwing that interception than Welker who wasn’t able to make a catch that was on the wrong side of him, so he had to turn around in mid air to catch it.  Welker makes such catches often when they are low… but not while he is up in the air.  He isn’t a tall receiver, and shouldn’t be expected to make catches like that.  Not his forte.   Brady throws a decent pass, and maybe Welker catches it.  Welker is Brady’s go to receiver when he is in trouble.  If they lose him, they will have a lot of difficulty replacing him.

  • Justoneguysopinion

    Unless someone with a first round grade falls to them.  They maybe they’d stay put.  Do you agree?

  • bhdyer20

    I wouldn’t be so sure of that.  Logan Mankins was considered a reach when they took him late in the first round.

  • NEP24_fan

     He is a SAFETY, not CB!

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