Chicago Bulls: 5 Of The Best Rajon Rondo Fights
The Chicago Bulls will certainly gain some offensive aid from Rajon Rondo, but along with that will come a handful of drama.
The Chicago Bulls have recently agreeing to terms with Rajon Rondo on a two-year, $28 million deal.
And while the guard has averaged a solid 11.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 1.8 steals a game over his 10-year career in the NBA, he is probably better known for his … aggressive nature.
The 30-year-old, who spent the better part of nine seasons with the Boston Celtics before playing for the Dallas Mavericks and most recently the Sacramento Kings, has gotten into a fair share of on-court scuffles.
And it is not just other players around the league that do not necessarily appreciate the veteran’s antics. Top-tier, championship-caliber coaches have also commented on Rondo’s bad behavior.
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Take for instance, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle:
"“Listen, we all did everything we could to make it work. It was challenging,” Carlisle said, once Rondo was playing for the Kings. “Going back in time, it’s a deal we should have shied away from, for the sake of us and for the sake of him. It’s a deal we shouldn’t have made.”"
In fact, Rajon was once benched for arguing with Carlisle during a game.
So in preparation of Rondo joining the Bulls and undoubtedly giving them a headache, alongside some decent help on offense, here are five of his most entertaining altercations over the years.
Rondo vs. Kirk Hinrich
Starting off with one that is really close to home, the hot-headed Celtic got into it with the former Chicago point guard during Game 6 of the first round in the 2009 playoffs.
In essense, Rondo grabs Hinrich and tosses him into the scorer’s table, which of course provokes Kirk Hinrich to go back after him.
"“I thought he gave me a cheap shot, I went back at him and that was about it,” Hinrich said."
Luckily though, Aaron Gray was there to save the day.
Coincidentally, this came one game after Rondo left Brad Miller with a bloody mouth.
It does not seem like Rondo always had love in his heart for the Bulls.
Rondo vs. Rafer Alston
Rondo also got into it during his time with Boston in a game against the Houston Rockets.
Rondo and Rafer Alston, who in Rondo’s defense was also known for being a troublemaker, went off on each other in 2008.
The two got double technicals, and the Celtics went on to snap the Rockets’ 22-game winning streak.
Rondo vs. Kobe Bryant
Now, Rondo obviously does not discriminate when it comes to who he fights. This is proven by the fact that he once went after Kobe Bryant in 2009.
It definitely takes some kind of guts to try and put a hand on a legend like the Black Mamba. But apparently, Bryant respects that:
"“We get along extremely well. We see the game in a similar fashion in terms of our aggressiveness and mindset.”"
And the feeling is mutual. Rondo’s favorite memory of Bryant? Yup, that near-brawl.
Rondo vs. Dwyane Wade
Someone who probably does not respect Rondo all that much is Dwyane Wade. In 2012, Rondo committed this flagrant foul against him, prompting the usually cool, calm and collected superstar to lose his composure for a second.
What is even better is that soon after, Rondo called Wade a dirty player:
"“I mean, I don’t think it was a hard foul. [Wade] sold it a little bit, and that’s basketball. They were up, he drove to the hole, I didn’t want to give up a layup. Simple as that. I didn’t yank him down, or, dirty plays that you’ve seen him play in the past. So that’s what it is.”"
Sure.
Rondo vs. DeMarcus Cousins
Although Rondo and DeMarcus Cousins turned out to be teammates in Sacramento, they were also once enemies on the floor.
But, once Rondo joined the Kings, he and Cousins actually got along quite well.
Why?
Well, in Rondo’s words:
"“I would say, in the words of Kobe, we’re both assholes. We’re both knuckleheads. We’re both hard-headed. And I think that’s what separates us and makes us great.”"
On top of both not getting along with head coach George Karl, of course.
So, what will Rondo’s future in Chicago look like?
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Well, whether he will be a good fit with the team and under head coach Fred Hoiberg‘s leadership is up for discussion, but it seems everyone can agree that he will certainly bring some on-court drama to the table.