You asked what kingshmegland was talking about when he said outbursts, and he merely gave you an example of another. That doesn't mean every outburst is created equal. Sheesh, is Rondo your brother or something?
No, but I think most of the anti-Rondo narrative is unfair.
Listen, I love rondo on the court but he has been trouble from the beginning here. He was in a perfect position to grow with a great coach, and great vet. leaders and he still caused so much problem to everyone. He is a professional, and now that captain and he needs to act accordingly. If it's not lashing out, he's causing issues between players, being selfish, and now ,when he is who the team looks to, leaves without asking permission.
It all goes toward why he is his own worst enemy. If he wasn't so talented, he'd be on the streets right now. Hell, being on the trading block and having interest even though of his past tells you what kind of player he is. Imagine if he could get the other side right.
Two very important things (was reading more about this):
- Rondo did tell the team he was leaving. He didn't just head off without saying anything.
- If KG did this, no one would dare question it.
I'm not saying Rondo and KG are the same people in the same situation, but the lack of consistency to me has less to do with that than simply what people think of Rondo in the first place.
You mention Rondo being his own worst enemy, but he's played with vets that never totally respected him, a coach who never totally bought into him, and a GM who's never totally bought into him. You might say that people buy into you when you deserve it, but look at Rondo and Stevens. Stevens bought into Rondo unconditionally from the beginning, and Rondo's responded with excellent basketball (14-6-10 47%FG in February, even though he's playing in a knee brace).
I'm not saying Rondo should get special treatment, but he's been the Celtics' best player since 2010 and worth a max contract. Pierce and KG never wanted to admit Rondo was better than them. And Ainge's game for years has always been to make sure he never talks up Rondo too much, or else he'd never be able to talk Rondo's agent out of a max contract.
Not trying to paint Rondo as a martyr. He creates enough problems for himself. But the 'Rondo is a headcase' media narrative is a bunch of air.