Celtics owner: 'Super stubborn' Rondo hard to coach
With Rajon Rondo entering a contract year with the rebuilding Celtics, trade rumors have been swirling around the former All-Star since last season.
Rondo and his agent, however, have recently denied they've requested a trade, Celtics President Rich Gotham confirmed Rondo's denial, and General Manager Danny Ainge said that Rondo has "assured" him he wants to stay in Boston.
Team owner Wyc Grousbeck joined the chorus of Celtics talking Rondo on Sunday, telling WBZ-TV the 28-year-old is "super stubborn."
“I know if you ask (former, long-time head coach) Doc (Rivers), ‘Was he the most coachable guy, or in the top half, 50 percent?’ He’d say, ‘No, he’s in the bottom 50 percent of being coachable.’ It’s hard with him,” Grousbeck continued.
Typical of how conflicting Rondo headlines have worked this summer, though, Grousbeck was also complimentary of his franchise player. "He played through sort of a broken elbow, a ripped knee. He’s a gamer, he’s a competitor, and he’s got world-class talent," he said of Rondo, who suffered a torn ACL midway through the 2012-13 season.
And while Rondo had to work the rust out of his game when he returned from that injury last season, Grousbeck believes the now-healthy point guard is on the cusp of another big season.
“The real basketball pros, you know, the guys that really run the basketball side out there, think he looks fantastic,” he said. “I think we’re going to have a big year out of Rajon; that’s my personal belief."
It's the least Grousbeck could say after unintentionally dumping on Rondo's trade value in the same interview.