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Rondo says he will play

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff June 11, 2008 04:06 PM

LOS ANGELES -- With a brace on his left foot, Celtics guard Rajon Rondo walked gingerly to the podium on the floor of the Staples Center to update the media on the status of his sprained ankle. Rondo said definitely he expects to play in Game 4 against the Lakers tomorrow night.

"Nobody in this league is 100 percent, but I'm sure I'll play tomorrow night," he said. "It hurts a lot...it's very sore."

Rondo said he will do some light practicing today but probably won't do much running. He had treatment on the ankle this morning and said he will keep icing it and keeping it elevated. X-Rays on his ankle were negative.

"It was sore when I first woke up this morning," he said. "I almost fell out of bed. But the more time I put weight on it today, the better it got."

The Celtics point guard said he's glad he has 24 hours to rest before the next game. Though he returned to the game last night in the fourth quarter, he said that was more a product of adrenaline than him suddenly healing.

If Rondo can't play, Eddie House and Sam Cassell would be the logical choices to take his minutes.

"We'll see tomorrow," said Cassell. "If I have to play extended minutes, I'll play. I'm looking forward to it, but I don't want him [to be hurt]. Who knows."

UPDATE (4:54 p.m. EST): Rondo did some light conditioning work with the team, then stood on the sideline while the rest of the players did some more vigorous running. Rondo did participate in a couple of offensive drills, however, running the offense without an opposing defense.

P.J. Brown explained his little spat with Jordan Farmar in the second quarter of last night's game. Both Brown and Farmar were given technical fouls after scuffling during the rebounding action.

"It wasn't that big of a deal," said Brown. "Just a little emotion, elbows here and there. I just walked away. I told [the official] that the technicals weren't warranted. That weren't that of a deal."

Brown is as mild mannered as they come, but he explained that sometimes he has to mix it up.

"It gets rough out there," said Brown. "You can't be a softie. If it gets a little nasty, it gets a little nasty."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson ended his team's practice at the Staples Center this morning with his trademark whistle. On cue, Lakers players walked to midcourt (which is now covered in an LA Sparks logo for tonight's WNBA game) and huddled quickly before splitting off for interviews.

Farmar and Sasha Vujacic were the two Lakers players that logged the most minutes off the bench last night. Both players say they know their roles off the bench, knowing Jackson could call on them at anytime.

"Every time, somebody is going to come up big like that," said Vujacic. "Yesterday I had the opportunity to fill it up more than other players...when the whole team is involved, good things will happen."

Vujacic jumped off the stat sheet with 20 points, but Los Angeles was plus-9 in the 20 minutes that Farmar was on the floor.

“We just have to come in and contribute," said Farmar. "It just happened to be [Vujacic] at the end of the extra pass, and he was knocking down his shots. That's what makes our team difficult to guard. We have so many guys who can do so many different things."

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6 comments so far...

Who is afraid of the big, bad Lakers? Look at that game--the foul shot disparity, initial home court finals game, Pierce/Garnett were AWFUL offensively (KG couldn't even finish two easy dunks), Vujacic hits every shot, while getting away with constant muggings, and Kobe went crazy (18 foul shots alone). And we still had an opportunity to win that game. Pundits say, "Well Odom and Gasol had bad games too." Well, they haven't really played well all series. Pierce and Garnett--if they just play normal--and Ray dips down to normal--we win that game by 10. Doc has got to play Powe and House more than PJ Brown and Cassell--they are just more energetic and match up better w/the Laker bench. Pierce, KG, and Rondo have to attack the hoop--let Kendrick rebound and Ray sit outside waiting for the kickout--he has his stroke back. I don't think Celts have played that bad since the Hawks series--it won't happen again.

Posted by rick betourne June 11, 08 05:35 PM

Rondo,
you are the best .
I hope you will be ok soon

Posted by fish June 11, 08 09:04 PM

Celtics- when you play good defense you will always win games. I think in the 4th Quarter you guy always give up and a heads up never give up in a basketball game because if you give up you might lose the game

Posted by albi June 11, 08 09:23 PM

Hi, Rondo,

We - from Taiwan really like your play and amazing your progress, last year we even did not know who you are, only focus on Steve Nash or Jason Kidd. But, now, you can compete with them and maybe better, because of you are really fast... of course, you need to practice a lot on shots.
Celtics will win the world champion of NBA, we know and we have confidence...

Whole family are support you and Celtics
My daughter is fans of KG, but we all like Celtics...
BEAT LA, BEAT LA, BEAT LA.....

Posted by Ophlin June 11, 08 10:40 PM

go lakers!!!! boston celtics goin downnnnnn

Posted by jn la June 11, 08 11:20 PM

You can do it, Rondo! The heart and drive and unselfish way you play makes you a winner already. You know, as well as all of us, that your team needs you! But, coming from a mom with 4 kids, please be careful...at least a little bit...to stay well enough to play the whole way through the Finals! GO CELTICS! BEAT LA! And we are way out here in CA, cheering for our Boston Team of Destiny!

Posted by Amy June 12, 08 12:12 AM