Paul Pierce helped bring Rajon Rondo back to Celtics practice amid plan to form brotherhood

BRIGHTON, MA — “I acquired an awesome invite. I acquired an e mail a few weeks again.”

Joe Mazzulla’s plan to encompass the present Boston Celtics with former gamers took one other step on Friday as Rajon Rondo was on the Auerbach Middle for Celtics apply.

The previous Celtics All-Star mentioned he spoke to his ex-teammate Paul Pierce, who has been leading the charge for returning gamers.

“I talked to certainly one of my outdated teammates, Mr. Pierce, they usually advised us we had been welcome again,” Rondo mentioned after Friday’s apply.

Pierce, who’s all the time one for spectacles, made certain to let Rondo know as quickly as potential.

“Paul referred to as me at like three within the morning,” Rondo mentioned. “He was like, ‘Look, they need us again. I’m like, ‘Hiya?’ Like I mentioned, it was an awesome name, and right here I’m right this moment.”

Earlier in coaching camp, Mazzulla revealed his plans, noting that he needs to additional the Celtics brotherhood and provides the present staff an instance of the Celtics custom.

It’s an unusual technique on the NBA degree, particularly with how a lot participant motion there’s these days, however the Celtics are a novel case.

Picture by Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Photos

Boston has such a wealthy historical past of successful, together with numerous All-Stars and Corridor-of-Famers. Their capacity to shroud their gamers with assist from guys who’re all-in on the Celtics is particular, and it’s one thing the previous gamers don’t take without any consideration, both.

“You try this in a number of faculty packages, the place alumni come again,” mentioned Rondo. “However within the professionals, you don’t do it as a lot as a result of guys commerce so many alternative groups, and it’s the NBA. So, to get that e mail was very welcoming and, like I mentioned, humbling on the similar time.”

All through his time within the NBA, Rondo was often called one of many smartest gamers on the hardwood. His abilities on the level guard place had been outmatched by his thoughts for the sport, and that’s one thing he can cross all the way down to not solely the gamers however the workers as properly.

He caught up with Mazzulla, former 2008 Celtics teammate Sam Cassell, Jeff Van Gundy, and others at Celtics apply, noting they “had alternative to speak basketball and listen to one another’s ideas.”

Rondo’s championship run alongside Pierce, Cassell, and others was the final time Boston reached the NBA’s mountaintop, a feat they’re trying to copy this season.

Because the season will get underway, Rondo’s eyes are on one addition specifically: Jrue Vacation.

“Nicely, they’re fairly spectacular, clearly, like everybody thinks on paper, however I really like the Jrue Vacation pickup. He’s certainly one of my favourite teammates I’ve ever performed with. All-time. And I’m excited for you guys to see what he can carry night time in, night time out.”

Picture by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Photos

Rondo and Vacation performed collectively for one 12 months because the beginning backcourt of the New Orleans Pelicans in 2017-18. They went 48-34 and swept the Portland Path Blazers within the first spherical of the playoffs earlier than dropping 4-1 to the eventual champions, the Golden State Warriors.

Vacation’s hard-working strategy matched the excessive basketball IQ of Rondo, and the 2 meshed properly. It’s that strategy that Rondo is most excited for with Vacation.

“Simply his mentality, his mindset, his skilled strategy to the sport, and simply what he brings on the market on the court docket,” Rondo mentioned of Vacation. “He does a number of intangibles. He’s a really unselfish man, and he’s enjoyable to be round, and he’s a winner. He’s a competitor.”

Having Rondo round will permit the Celtics to choose his mind, study from his experiences, and develop from that information, simply as they can with Pierce and others.

He mentioned that he’s not formally retired and joked that he’s “searching for an eight-day contract,” however {that a} 10-day is “too lengthy.” The 37-year-old famous he’s again in class at Kentucky, the place he left after two years to hitch the NBA, and dealing on a Communications diploma.

Rondo additionally unveiled that he plans on stepping into teaching finally, and proper now, he’s working along with his son’s AAU program. He mentioned he plans on studying as a lot as he can from Mazzulla.

However with the Celtics, Rondo’s prepared to assist, and he’s simply excited they wished him to.

“It’s like occurring a date,” Rondo mentioned. “You don’t get requested out too usually, and once you get your first date, it’s like, you get enthusiastic about it.”