Since Ray Allen left Boston for Miami, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers has addressed the topic multiple times, taking the blame for Allen's departure. Rajon Rondo, who reportedly had a strained relationship with Allen, hadn't said much about the topic, but in a conversation with Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, the Celtics point guard opened up about Allen and a number of other topics. Here are a few comments from Rondo, who has been in Los Angeles hosting a players-only minicamp for the Celtics:
On his relationship with Allen:
"People act like because me and Ray didn't get along or they think me and Ray didn't get along that I'm a bad person or he's a bad person. No. It's just life. If you look at your job, everyone doesn't always get along with every co-worker they work with. It's just part of life. People are blowing the Ray thing out of proportion. We had some words, but other than that it was no big deal…. There were so many rumors like I was looking Ray off. Why would I look Ray off? That doesn't make sense. He's the best shooter, so why would I look him off? People can see it how they want to. They can talk to Ray. But from my standpoint, he made his decision. I don't know why he made the decision, but he made the decision. I don't think it had anything to do with me."
On early workouts with new Celtics Jason Terry and Courtney Lee:
"The game is about tempo. We don't want to make it more complicated. It's just basketball. I am just trying to get the timing with J.T. and Courtney. That is why I wanted to get to work early, so I can know where I want them to be when I drive baseline or drive to the middle and where they like the ball."
On his role as a leader for the Celtics:
"I've kind of have taken that leadership and veteran role because I am a point guard and I have been in Doc's system. Other than [Paul Pierce], I have been here the longest. I know exactly what Doc wants, especially for me and this team. I'm trying to lead the team the best that I can."
On the Celtics' expectations in 2012/13:
"We won a championship and that's great, but I don't want to settle. I have a lot of NBA time left on my clock and I got the talent around me. Everyone can't say they can compete for a championship each year. With the talent around me now with the Celtics, it's time to obtain that goal…. There are only five teams right now that can say they can compete for a title realistically. And we're one of them."