The rumor mills began churning vigorously yesterday morning when pictures surfaced of Kobe Bryant meeting Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo for breakfast yesterday morning. The two rivals are actually good friends and have maintained a mutual respect for each other.
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Both players had the day off before the Lakers and Celtics meet tonight in Boston so they met up and according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times, Kobe says they had a ‘basketball geek’ conversation:
Kobe said he and Rondo had a "basketball geek" conversation. Talked about old memories, their two NBA Finals vs. each other.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) December 5, 2014
With Rondo set to be a free agent after the season and the Lakers having a hole at the point guard position, many are expecting the Lakers to make a hard push for Rondo this summer. According to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes however, Kobe was not recruiting Rondo during their meet:
Kobe recruiting Rondo? KB: "No, we get along extremely well. We see the game in a similar fashion in terms of our aggressiveness/mindset."
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) December 5, 2014
Kobe and Rondo have met twice in the NBA Finals, with the Celtics upsetting the Lakers in six games in 2008 before Kobe and the Lakers got revenge in a classic seven-game series in 2010.
The two players have always been complimentary of each other as Kobe has always respected Rondo’s game, as well as his attitude. Both players have been known to ruffle a few feathers and Bryant loves Rondo’s competitive spirit.
While he may be in the team’s future plans, tonight the Lakers have to worry about containing the All-Star point guard. So far this season, Rondo is flirting with triple double averages, posting 8.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 10.9 assists despite the Celtics struggling with a 5-11 record.
[divide]Remember When Kobe Bryant Called Rajon Rondo An A–Hole?