Chicago Bulls starting Point Guard, Rajon Rondo has been put on one game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.
Head Coach, Fred Hoiberg didn’t have much to say about the incident or the suspension, but instead had much praise for Rondo. Hoiberg stated, “Rajon, as we’ve all said, has been great. A great teammate. I’ve enjoyed the relationship that we developed, and … it’s not going to change moving forward.’’
Sources say that Rondo threw a towel in the direction of associate head coach Jim Boylen during their 107-82 loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, and matters only got worse after the game.
Teammate, Jimmy Butler also had nothing but praise for the 4x All-Star during today’s shootaround stating, “He’s a phenomenal damn teammate and I back him on everything…these things happen and when things happen you handle it the way you’re supposed to handle it.”
Rajon Rondo’s one game suspension will be served in tonight’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers. According to sources, Rondo has made his apologies to his teammates, as well as the coaching staff and is looking forward to coming back on Tuesday against the Detroit Pistons.
Rondo has had a history of getting suspended, as a matter of fact this is the 3rd season in a row Rondo has been suspended for at least one game. Even though he’s had to deal with those suspensions, the Chicago Bulls aren’t going to let this incident define his role on the team.
Jimmy Butler expressed his emotions on Chicago’s fascination with Rondo saying, “Rondo’s an incredible basketball player, friend, brother to me now, to us. I think we love him here. I think the fans love him as well, the organization, I think everyone has nothing but great things to say about him.”
The Chicago Bulls are 11-8 and are sitting at the 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. It’s still early in the season and Chicago has had multiple convincing wins against teams like the Boston Celtics (12-8), Utah Jazz (12-9) and even the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers (13-5). Doug McDermott is out with a concussion and Michael Carter-Williams is suffering a knee injury, and now Rondo will miss today’s game due to his suspension. Chicago’s biggest battle right now is players missing games, if Chicago expects to keep their consistency and stay atop the East, they’ll have to avoid suffering from anymore unnecessary setbacks like a Rondo’s suspension.
All quotes and sources from Chicago Tribune
