The Boston Celtics could have Rajon Rondo back in the line-up next month after the All-Star point guard was cleared for full-contact practice on Saturday, according to coach Brad Stevens.
As reported by ESPN.com, Rondo practiced with the team in a 45-minute session. His teammates and coach agree that the franchise star looked solid in his first practice with the team. Said coach Stevens: "Pretty good," while forward Brandon Bass added: "He looked solid."
Stevens told ESPN:"[Rondo] had a good trip [Friday], as far as getting good news, and it looks like he's on schedule to be closer, but still probably doesn't look like we're going to see him on the court any time this month. Hopefully as we get into January, he'll be closer."
Rondo suffered an ACL injury in February, and the Celtics looked lost without their floor leader. They eventually fell to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs, triggering a full rebuilding mode that led to the trades of franchise players Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett and the exit of coach Doc Rivers. Still, the team has managed to stay competitive in the East, leading the Atlantic Division with an 11-14 record.
Asked how he'll reintegrate Rondo in his offense, Stevens said he has not given much thought about it yet. "I haven't thought a ton about it, because it really hasn't presented itself and it still isn't going to present itself in the very, very near future," said Stevens. " Certainly, you're thinking about how you're going to, not only get him into it, [and] ease him into it, but how you're going to manage everything around that. Because there's a lot of good players that are playing at a high level, and the key is to continue those guys playing really well and add in another very good player."
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