HoopsHype.com Rumors

Few know better than Perkins the road that lies ahead for Rondo, who is out for the season with a torn right ACL injury - the same injury that Perkins' suffered during the 2010 NBA Finals. "My biggest thing with him," Perkins told CSNNE.com, "I'm not worried about whether he'll put the work in to get back on the court. I just don't want him to have a mental breakdown." As Perkins recalls, overcoming the mental hurdles of such a devastating injury is far tougher than the physical regimen needed to recover. He remembers a number of days during his rehabilitation process where he felt like giving in to self-doubt. "It gets to that point, if you don't have somebody in your ear, to encourage you. That's real talk," Perkins said. CSNNE.com

Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Injuries 

The need to declare that the Celtics were Rondo's team was a curious phenomenon from the start. It was hard to imagine that future Hall of Famers Pierce and Garnett ever completely bought into that, although they were happy to play along for public consumption. "I don't know if they did or not," said Rivers, "but all I know is those two guys are talking more. When Rondo comes back, Paul and Kevin need to continue to lead the way they are now. Because, honestly, I don't buy into the 'Whose team is it?' I think that's the silliest damn stuff. I don't care whose team it is. Just go play together." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett 

It's believed that the Hawks, like many teams over the past few years, had internal questions about how serious Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge really was when it came to surrendering Pierce or Kevin Garnett at the deadline. Although Pierce, Garnett and Rajon Rondo have all been openly mentioned in trade speculation since the Celtics' crushing defeat to the Lakers in Los Angeles in Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, with Ainge known to aggressively call around the league to see what's available in potential deals, there remains considerable skepticism about his willingness to actually go through with dealing with Pierce or KG after those 30-somethings helped end Boston's two- decade championship drought. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

After the Celtics improved to 14-4 since the season-ending injury to his friend and Celtics teammate Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett faced questions about whether the season has taken on a special feel in recent weeks. “Special?” he asked. The question — a legitimate one given the circumstances — was asked again. “We haven’t given in to the [expletive] critics,” said Garnett, who finished with 17 points and seven boards in the 107-102 overtime win over the Hawks. “We’re working hard. We’re grinding. We’re showing our character. Our coach is a grinder himself, and his team is just that. We’re not looking for any handouts or sympathies or anything like that. We don’t expect anybody to give us nothing. We’re going out, working hard and gaining everything we’re getting. We’re giving ourselves a chance every night. We’re leaning on each other. We’re playing together. “I could probably better answer your question later on in the postseason to see where were at. It’s still early. Everybody’s fighting for positioning. Everybody pretty much has the same road at this point, so it’s kind of early.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett 

For instance: Did you know Rajon Rondo is the Garry Kasparov of Connect Four? Well of course he is. From SI: The Celtics didn't want to change Rondo when he arrived, but they didn't want to him either. So at charity foundations he perched behind a folding table where he could avoid the back-slapping, baby-hugging and other standard forms of celebrity fakery. He just played Connect Four, against anybody who dared, usually two grids at a time and sometimes three. "This has been going on for six years," Matt Meyersohn, the Celtics' director of community relations, said on Dec. 22 during an event at the Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club in Dorchester, Mass. "He's played hundreds of Connect Four games, maybe a thousand. And he's never lost." Later that day Rondo sat behind a table and three girls. Across from him there were more than 100 children he had showered with bikes, Razor scooters and iPod Touches that he bought at Target and distributed from the back of a U-Haul. "I thought he might let us win," said a 12 year- old named Olissa. "But he was so serious." SB Nation

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo 

Rondo doesn’t like game-time decisions. “They just want an excuse if they don’t play well.” Rondo doesn’t like playing grab-ass. “I’m not trying to make friends. We can talk in the summer.” Kevin Garnett: “With Rajon, there ain’t no [expletive]ing around.” Rondo admits, ”A lot of times I’ll be shooting and think, Maybe I should pass.” Jason Kidd once told Rondo: “If you’re going to shoot, you need to have your mind made up that you’re going to do it.” Kevin Wilk, Rondo’s physical therapist: “The [Adrian] Peterson type, the [Derrick] Rose type, the Rondo type, these are perfectionists with a meticulous approach to everything they do. If guys like that are doing 10 reps, and the eighth isn’t right, they’ll start over where someone else will stop. They won’t ever shut it down.” Brian Scalabrine: “There’s no one in the history of our game like him. He’s the the most interesting player I’ve ever known. How does someone who is 6-foot-1 get 18 rebounds? How does someone who doesn’t run fast break get 20 assists? How does someone who never shoots get everybody open? We cannot begin to understand how he does it.” WEEI.com

Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo 

Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge is a good listener, and league executives continue to call Ainge about point guard Rajon Rondo's availability even though Rondo is out for the season with a torn ACL, an NBA executive told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about ongoing negotiations. USA Today Sports

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge 

Ainge has assured Rondo that he won't be traded, according to his agent Bill Duffy. However, Ainge maintains the Celtics aren't in the market for a major deal. USA Today Sports

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge 

Ken Berger: I'm told the "right deal" for Rondo would be: Dwight Howard, Chris Paul or a massive haul of assets like Denver got for Melo. Not happening. Twitter @KBergCBS

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

Sam Amick: Agent for Rajon Rondo, Bill Duffy, tells USAT that Boston GM Danny Ainge assured him today the Celtics PG won't be traded. Story to come. Twitter @sam_amick

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge, Bill Duffy 

Chris Broussard: Rival GMs insist Rondo's available. Could they pry Josh away from ATL w/out giving up Pierce or KG? Jeff Green would be good fit in ATL Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo 

Chris Broussard: Sources say Boston willing to trade injured PG Rajon Rondo in right deal. Wizards looking to move Jordan Crawford. Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Jordan Crawford 

There is generally a frenzy among teams at this time of the year, but Ainge believes things are a bit more active now, particularly on the Celtics' part. "This year has been much more, just because we’ve had injuries," he said. "We wouldn’t be talking as much if we didn’t have as many injuries. "We’re looking to give it a run. When trade rumors come out that leads to a lot of (discussion) too. (Rajon) Rondo’s name comes out and Paul (Pierce)’s name comes out. KG (Kevin Garnett)’s name comes out. You have to field a lot of waste-of-time calls from media and other teams. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Danny Ainge, Kevin Garnett 

Los Angeles Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak denied a CBSSports.com report that the Lakers and Celtics were in preliminary talks to trade Dwight Howard for Rajon Rondo. "I haven't talked to Danny Ainge in weeks," Kupchak told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard. "I made the statement a week or two ago that we're not going to trade Dwight Howard and that hasn't changed." ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

When asked if a possible Howard-for-Rondo trade was discussed when he spoke to the Celtics weeks ago, Kupchak again said no. He said at no point this season has a Howard-for-Rondo trade been discussed. ESPN.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Chris Broussard: I just spoke w/Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak about supposed D12-for-Rondo trade talks w/Celtics. He denied it strongly.... Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

Chris Broussard: (Con't) Kupchak said "I haven't talked to Danny Ainge in weeks. I made the statement a week or 2 ago that we're not going to trade Dwight Howard and that hasn't changed." Kupchak said at no pt this season has a D12-for-Rondo trade been discussed. Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

David Aldrdige: Source who would definitely know re: reported Rondo/Howard talks: "nothing. Zero. Nada. Niente. Clear?" So, there's that. Twitter @daldridgetnt

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard 

Chris Broussard: (Con't) Kupchak added that he hasn't talked with anyone else in Celtics organization. Twitter @Chris_Broussard

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

However, CBSSports.com has learned that the Lakers have engaged in preliminary trade discussions with an unlikely trade partner regarding Howard: their fierce rival, the Boston Celtics. The centerpieces of the possible deal, which hasn't gained any traction, would be Howard and Rajon Rondo. The imagination runs rampant with the tantalizing possibilities. CBSSports.com

Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Trade, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard