Chicago Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo, who was memorably benched a couple weeks back, will finally return to the rotation tonight, but not as a starter:
Rondo is 6th man vs. Wiz.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo returning to the floor is likely more out of necessity than anything else; Dwyane Wade (rest), Jimmy Butler (illness), and Nikola Mirotic (illness) will all miss the game, leaving the Bulls with a depleted starting five:
Grant, MCW, McDermott, Taj and Lopez start vs. Wizards.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Hoiberg said Bulls didn't consider using Wade. "Sticking to the plan."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo remains perplexed by the benching:
Rondo remains bemused by his benching, said he's been playing pickup outside the practice facility to try to stay in shape.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo calls his situation the most confusing of his career.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
PR person tries to cut off interview, Rondo said to keep going. "I haven't had this much attention in awhile."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo said he was told team is trying to "save him from himself." Rondo's thought on that? "I thought it was bullsh*t."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo: "Save me from myself. I never heard that before in my life. But I guess he was trying to do the best thing for me."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo on benching: "In Cleveland, they told me I had a negative 20 in Indiana at halftime. I think that was part of the reason."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo on if he and Hoiberg have talked much about his circumstance: "Um. How can I say this? No."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
On if he feels deceived: "Depends on how you guys write it. It’s different. When I signed here. It’s a lot different than I anticipated."
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) January 10, 2017
Rondo: "You’re only as good as your coach thinks you are. That’s a big part of each individual’s success in the NBA."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
Rondo on his relationship with Hoiberg: "We speak. Cordial. Nothing much to say."
— Vincent Goodwill (@vgoodwill) January 10, 2017
Rondo didn't say anything already posted to my feed in angry or mean-spirited fashion. Totally relaxed, having fun, tho bemused by benching.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 10, 2017
So, it doesn’t sound as though much, if anything, has been resolved between Rondo and the Bulls’ brass. Like Rondo, I’m not sure what they mean by “saving him from himself,” but it does sound as though Rondo’s return to the rotation is probably a temporary one born out of necessity. In all likelihood, once the Bulls’ rotation players are healthy, Rondo will go back to the end of the bench.
