Even though he has already played for five NBA teams since leaving Boston in 2014, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo will always remain as a Celtic in most fans’ eyes.
The four-time NBA All-Star, who enjoyed his best years in the pros during his eight-year stay in Beantown, recently reminisced about the first time he returned to the TD Garden as a visitor.
Unlike other stars who get showered with jeers upon facing their old teams, the Boston faithful wre always warm to their former floor general, who led them to a title in 2008.
Now 33 years old, Rondo remembered how his first game felt like a “a long day” filled with “a lot of nervousness.”
“It was an unbelievable feeling and the love and reception I got was surreal. I almost teared up. They almost got me,” per Billy Oram of The Athletic.
“I tried not tried not to look up,” Rondo added. “When I did, I had to keep blinking so I wouldn’t drop one.”
While donning a Lakers jersey, he famously hit a game-winning shot against the Celtics last season, giving them a 129-128 win last February.
Article Continues BelowRondo has slowly reintegrated himself to the Lakers’ new and improved roster this year, after missing the team’s first eight games of the season with a mild calf strain.
He’s been averaging 8.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 1.0 steals in just around 21.3 minutes per game.
The Lakers and Celtics have yet to face each other this year, and are scheduled to play in January.