Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
The Celtics organization is currently in the midst of a praise pickle. Beloved All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas is making his return to Boston on February 11th. So, in good taste, the Celtics have planned to display a tribute video on the big screen to honor the guard who was unceremoniously shipped to the city’s conference rival. There’s just one very big problem: Celtics legend Paul Pierce’s jersey retirement is scheduled for that day. Rightfully so, Pierce is not happy about the double-booking, as he’s spent far too many years on a dog shit Celtics team before reaching ultimate glory.
Rajon Rondo, the complicated point guard and Pierce’s Celtics teammate on the 2009 NBA Champion squad, is questioning why IT is getting a tribute ceremony at all. Thomas has spent just three seasons in Boston, earning All-Star appearances in his final two, but was paramount in turning around Celtics team in the midst of a post-Big 3 hangover.
“What has he done?” Rondo asked Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. When told that Thomas led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals, Rondo answered, “Oh, that’s what we celebrate around here?”
“This is the Boston Celtics,” Rondo added. “This isn’t the Phoenix Suns, no disrespect to any other organization, but you don’t hang conference titles. Do we hang going to the conference finals? What do we hang here?”
Rondo, a nine-year Celtic, received a tribute video of his own back in 2015 when he first returned to face the Celtics after his trade to the Dallas Mavericks. He also was essential in helping the franchise win its first NBA championship in over two decades. Oh, KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce helped a bit too.
[h/t Bleacher Report]