Paul Pierce Confident in Rajon Rondo Leading the Boston Celtics

With Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce all now out of Beantown, the Boston Celtics now belong to Rajon Rondo. Pierce says his former teammate is ready and willing to embrace the considerable challenge that lies ahead. Per the Boston Globe: “Paul Pierce, who has general manager aspirations and also deep ties to the Celtics, said he understood why the club dealt him to the Brooklyn Nets. Playing with a new organization has forced Pierce to adjust quickly. He and his family have found a new home in New York City. After the initial shock of being shipped south after 15 years in Boston, he has embraced joining the Nets. Pierce also said he has discussed the future of the Celtics with Rajon Rondo, who is coming off surgery to repair a torn right anterior cruciate ligament. Trade rumors have surrounded Rondo with the Big Three broken up, and so have perceptions that he won’t cooperate with new coach Brad Stevens, only nine years Rondo’s senior. Rondo has indicated that he will fully support Stevens, and the two spent time together at Rondo’s basketball camp in Louisville, Ky. Pierce said he relayed some strong messages about how Rondo should conduct himself as team leader. ‘Without question [he can be the man in Boston],’ Pierce said. ‘I’ve already talked to Rajon; Rajon’s mature. People talk about the relationship with Doc [Rivers], and they probably had their best years over the last two years. So I don’t think that was a reason for Doc leaving. I’ve heard that, but that wasn’t a reason for Doc not coming back. Rondo is one of the best players in the league. He’s a guy who can be the face of a franchise. He’s won a championship, he’s been an All-Star. There’s a lot of organizations who don’t even have a face of that caliber. I definitely think he’s matured and can handle a lot. I talked to him and he’s ready for the challenge. He knows that it’s his team. He knows he has to be a leader, and from being around me and Kevin [Garnett] and seeing how we work.'”