Rajon Rondo not worried about the age of the Boston Celtics Big Three – NBA Update
Rajon Rondo, the Boston Celtics point guard, has dismissed suggestions that the esteemed Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are getting too old to play at the highest level.
The three players, who combined at Boston in 2007 and went on to win the NBA World Championship of 2008, have carved out a legacy for themselves in their short time together. The troika has so far made two trips to the NBA Finals,
winning one, but it is unlikely they will be in the promise land again.
The reason is simple; they are all way past 30 and showed signs last season that their age was now becoming a major hurdle in their game.
Celtics playmaker Rondo though isn’t really worried about the three. He said they are devout professionals who know how to take care of their bodies. The Celts swingman was adamant that the trio can still prove a decisive factor
when the time comes.
"I know guys think [Pierce, Allen and Garnett] are old," Rondo said, "but I see them daily. I know they're working. They're three of the hardest workers on the team. They're always in the best shape.”
He admitted that aged in the mid 30s isn’t the perfect scenario for a basketball player, especially in today’s fast paced, energy soaking NBA. However, Garnett, Pierce and Allen were taking care of their bodies and would be able
to perform when called upon, according to Rondo.
“Obviously aging takes some wear and tear on your body, but they're in the weight room, they're in the gym, they're getting extra cardio in. So I'm not worried about those guys.”
He said at the moment he was relaxed. He didn’t like how things had gone with the NBA lockout. NBA Commissioner David Stern has already cancelled training camps, pre-season and regular season games up till December 15th.
A shorter season could mean that the aging Boston side would be fresher when the playoffs came around, which was a definite advantage. But Rondo also knows there is a real danger of the whole 2011-2012 NBA season being wiped out.
"Right now we're just enjoying our time, well, not enjoying it, but you know what I mean. For me it's a gift and a curse. I'm trying to get as healthy as possible, with all my injuries. But I'm ready to play." He said.
The player was injured during last season’s playoff series against the Miami Heat. He dislocated his shoulder during a game but returned to virtually play with one arm and lead Boston to a solitary win over the forceful Heat.
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