While his name was being floated around in trade rumors, Rajon Rondo was overseas for Nike’s All Asia Camp in China. Rondo made the trip with another young point guard who turned heads in the posteason, Houston Rocket Aaron Brooks.

Rondo shared the details on his Yardbarker blog, including hitting the court with campers, immersing himself in a new culture, and dining with Yao Ming:

“Nihao. I just got back home from Beijing, China. I went over there for Nike’s All Asia Camp. Me and Aaron Brooks made the trip over there for Nike, and I have to admit that I was a little nervous about going because of the 13 hour flight. I don’t like to fly at all, so when I found out that the flight was 13 hours, I was a little hesitant. I’m really glad that I made the trip though-it turned out to be one of the best trips that I’ve ever taken. I got the chance to interact with the campers-I did drills, played some games, and coached the Asia Pacific team in the All-Star game (my team won). I also got to experience some of the city. I went shopping a couple of places, climbed the Great Wall, had an in store Nike appearance, and caught up with Yao for dinner one night.”

Click here to read the rest of Rondo’s post. (Via RedsArmy)

Earlier this week, radio station KTAR in Arizona floated the rumor of trade discussions between the Boston Celtics in Phoenix Suns that would send Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo out west in exchange for Amar’e Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, and the 14th pick.

The Arizona Republic has reported the Suns have not had conversations with the Celtics:

“There’s a lot of stuff flying around out there that has no basis,” Suns General Manager Steve Kerr said. “There’s just a ton of speculation but there really is nothing substantial going on.

“With most of these deals being speculated about, I haven’t even had a conversation with the opposing team. I read this stuff and laugh.”

The notion of trading forty percent of the Celtics starting lineup is startling at first. But there are reasons why Allen and Rondo could be heard in rumors this offseason. Allen turns 34 this summer and is entering the last year of his contract in which he is set to earn nearly $20 million. His expiring deal – plus proven track record – could make him an attractive option.

Rondo, on the other hand, is just starting to play up to his potential. At 23 he is the type of player a team can build around. The Celtics, however, have to decide how much they want to pay Rondo. He will become a free agent in 2010 so they can either sign him to an extension or take a risk on the going rate next summer.

Either way the Celtics will be financially limited when they try to add depth to their bench this summer and making trades is one way to work around that. It’s only the beginning of June and there is no doubt more rumors like this are sure to follow.

Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo will not work out with Team USA at their minicamp in Las Vegas this July due to Perkins’ wedding in Houston, the Boston Globe reported. Rondo is one of the groomsmen. Perkins originally indicated he would be attending the minicamp, which will be held July 22-25, but thought the workouts were actually scheduled for June. Glen Davis also received invitations from Team USA and Perkins. He will be joining Team USA.

ORLANDO – Rajon Rondo didn’t mince words following a bitter 83-75 loss to the Orlando Magic that has forced Game 7 Sunday night at TD Banknorth Garden.

“We didn’t run out of gas,” Rondo said. “I guess we just choked. We turned the ball over and things did not go our way. We did not get stops. We turned the ball over and things did not go our way. We did not get stops. Turnovers led to a lot of points. We did not get to the free throw line like we wanted to. We only got there 13 times. We were not the more aggressive team tonight. They fought back and stuck with it. We did not get the punch out.”

Rondo pointed to the lack of execution in the second half as one big reason for blowing a 10-point third quarter lead.

“We did not get any rhythm at all and that caused some turnovers,” Rondo added. “They capitalized off our turnovers.”

The Celtics committed 22 turnovers, leading to 29 points. Orlando turned it over 10 times and Boston scored just three points off Magic miscues the whole night.

Rajon Rondo opens the doors to his home for his own version of Cribs. (Via RedsArmy)

What was Rajon Rondo’s reaction to the news that he had been named to the NBA’s All Defensive Team Second Team? A shrug, basically. “I take pride in my defense,” he said. “It’s nice to be recognized.” It was his only individual goal, Rondo said, but still it didn’t really faze him, as almost nothing does. He did, however, advocate for Kendrick Perkins who did not get a spot on either the first or second team, despite receiving a first place vote. “I thought Perk should have been on one of those teams,” Rondo said.

A couple of other highlights from Rondo:

On gaining weight: He said that he weighs 179.2 pounds, up from 163 when he entered the league, which he attributes to growing up, working out with trainer Bryan Doo and eating healthy. Rondo said he spent more time in the weight room last summer than he has in the past. Rondo said that the trainers have told him he’s quicker than he was last year, but he doesn’t really believe it.

On the quickest players in the league: “Besides myself?” he asked. “Derrick Rose, T.J. Ford and Tony Parker. Oh, Devin Harris. He might be the quickest with the ball.”

On the place he got booed the most in college: “Kentucky.” Wait, you mean where you played in college? “Yup. Tough crowd. I guess I just played bad.”

On his game: “I haven’t shot the ball well. I’m still getting rebounds, still getting assists. I’m just missing shots. They’re the same shots I took in the first five games.”

Celtics forward Kevin Garnett was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team for the 2008-09 season. The former Defensive Player of the Year received 35 votes (13 First Team).

Rajon Rondo was named to the All-Defensive Second Team with 23 votes (4 First Team). Kendrick Perkins received four votes, including one First Team bid. Dwight Howard was the leading vote-getter.

2008-09 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM

Dwight Howard, Orlando
Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
LeBron James, Cleveland
Chris Paul, New Orleans
Kevin Garnett, Boston

2008-09 NBA ALL-DEFENSIVE SECOND TEAM

Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Dwyane Wade, Miami
Rajon Rondo, Boston
Shane Battier, Houston
Ron Artest, Houston