The Celtics arrive in town Thursday representing the Bulls’ last opponent before the All-Star break. For veteran Rajon Rondo, the franchise that drafted him in 2006 represents a lot more.
Rondo won’t touch a question on whether the stance he presented to Bulls management in a New Year’s Eve meeting — start me or find me a new home — has changed with one week until the Feb. 23 trade deadline and 13 days until the buyout deadline to be playoff-eligible for another team.
What Rondo will answer, and do so passionately, is the responsibility he embraces now that the coaching staff has placed him with the second unit. And the lessons he tries to impart are delivered in part because of those who did the same for him.
"When I got to Boston, you think you know everything as a young guy. But you don’t," Rondo said. "Me having guys I looked up to and respect was big — KG (Kevin Garnett), Paul (Pierce), P.J. Brown, Keyon Dooling later on. Kevin especially kind of took me under his wing and told me things that I had no idea of, not even just basketball but a lot of life situations off the court. That’s what these guys are going through. It’s about becoming men and how to conduct themselves on and off the court.
"I just feel like it’s one of my roles to give back to the game because it was given to me. It’s only right for me to pass it down. I think that’s what this league is missing, a lot of veteran guys who are willing to assist the young guys. There’s so much me, me, me and jealousy in this game amongst each other versus trying to help the next person.
"A lot of young guys don’t have veterans they respect. If you don’t respect a guy, you’re not going to take his word. That’s why I was able to click with DeMarcus (Cousins) last year (in Sacramento). I don’t think he ever played with a vet that he really respected. He understood I was trying to help him."
After Wednesday’s practice at the Advocate Center, Rondo took his usual position of working with the younger players as they ran through offensive and defensive sets. More often than not on slower practice days in which only the young players break a sweat and the vets basically do a walkthrough, Rondo joins the young players’ post-practice three-on-three games.
"That’s just who I am," Rondo said. "I’ve tried to help guys on a lot of different teams. Last year, I had young guys gravitate toward me. It’s been the same this year."
In fact, Nikola Mirotic recently told the Tribune that Rondo and Pau Gasol are his favorite teammates ever.
Rondo said his habit of picking the brains of those more experienced than he began in high school, when his coach taught him the benefits of watching film. It continues to this day.
"I talk to (Bulls assistants) Pete Myers and Randy Brown," Rondo said. "Those guys have great knowledge still. There’s always knowledge you can get and give back. That’s what this game is about. If I can teach anything and young players want to listen, I’ll give it to them."
Rondo never envisioned coming off the bench for the Bulls after they entertained him on the first day of free agency. But he downplayed a question on whether he fits better with the second unit than the first.
"I feel like I fit with anybody I play with," he said. "I find open guys. Everybody wants to play with a guy like that. I don’t believe in looking guys off. Regardless of whether we get along off the court or not, on the court it’s all about one thing and that’s getting a win and playing the right way."
kcjohnson@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @kcjhoop
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