Cavaliers-Celtics pregame dribbles: Forget Kyrie-for-Rondo trade rumors
Tipoff: TD Garden, Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Records: Cavaliers 3-3; Celtics 3-4.
TV: FOX Sports Ohio (Cavaliers Live pre-game at 7). Radio: WTAM 1100-AM, WMMS 100.7-FM; Cavaliers Radio Network.
Projected Starters
Cavaliers: C Anderson Varejao; PF Kevin Love; SF LeBron James; SF Shawn Marion; PG Kyrie Irving.
Celtics: C Kelly Olynyk; PF Jared Sullinger; SF Jeff Green; SG Avery Bradley; PG Rajon Rondo.
Injury Report
Cavaliers: SG Dion Waiters (lower back) probable; PG Matthew Dellavedova (left knee) out.
Celtics: PG Marcus Smart (sprained ankle) out; Victor Faverani (knee) out.
Dribbles
1. No, the Cavs won't be trading Kyrie Irving for Rajon Rondo. No, the Celtics have no desire to ever make a deal like that, either. And no, it has not and will not be discussed. So forget about it. It will never happen.
2. That rumor was started by no less than retired NBA star Tracy McGrady -- on his Twitter account. T-Mac said the Cavs should make such a trade. In the organization's offices, however, it was laughed off. The Cavs don't need nor do they want Rondo. They love Irving.
3. Let's take a look: Irving is an accomplished 3-point shooter. He is almost all offense, with perhaps the best ball-handling skills in the NBA. He can break down just about anyone one-on-one, and that includes Rondo. And remember, Irving is just 22 years old and signed a five-year contract extension in July.
4. OK, Rondo is pretty doggone good, too. We know that. He may be a more accomplished all-around point guard than Irving at this stage of their careers. Rondo is undoubtedly a better defender. He owns a championship ring. He's won big games. He often wills the Celtics to victory. But he also turns 29 in February (same birthday as me, actually). And small guards on the other side of 30 are always iffy. So the guy is getting up there in basketball years.
5. You also have to consider this about Rondo: As talented as he is, he can often be an island unto himself. In other words, while he's a great teammate and good leader on the court, he can be a distraction off of it. For instance, Rondo and Ray Allen always had issues when Allen was with the Celtics, some major. This isn't out of the ordinary for Rondo. He is extremely confident, yes. But he can be difficult. Fortunately for the Celtics, he has been a fantastic soldier under coach Brad Stevens. But for the Cavs, it wouldn't be worth the risk of putting Rondo next to LeBron James and Kevin Love.
6. Bottom line: Kyrie Irving is a better fit for the Cavs and Rajon Rondo a better fit for the Celtics. T-Mac has every right to suggest a trade. It actually is neat to think about. But too many fans took accepted this as a real rumor and ran with it. That's the sad part, because it will never ever EVER happen. Never. Got it? Good.
7. As for the game, the Cavs know what to expect when they go into Boston. They will not be greeted warmly. Celtics fans are educated and, fittingly, hateful to opponents. "Their fans know the game of basketball; they appreciate the game of basketball," James said. "I love a little adversity and they're one of the best at creating adversity. So it should be fun."
8. Former Cavs center Tyler Zeller is averaging 5.4 points and 2.7 rebounds with the Celtics. That includes a season-high 10 points in the Celtics' upset win at Chicago last weekend.
