Team president Danny Ainge didn’t just trade one of the league’s top defensive centers in Perkins, he dealt a critical part of the Celtics’ chemistry and locker room unity. Perkins was a quiet leader, sending intimidating vibes with that customary scowl.
Tears were flowing during that send-off in Denver, but during a sun-drenched day on UCLA’s Westwood campus, filled with Bruins fans milling around before their team’s matchup with the University of Arizona, the Celtics moved forward — most of them, anyway.
After the Celtics’ 99-92 victory over the Clippers Saturday night, a bit of normalcy began to return to the locker room. The players have decided the best thing to do is accept what is now official, and secure the No. 1 seed with their current roster and perhaps a few additions in the next couple of days.
But one Celtic conspicuous in his silence immediately after the trade was Rajon Rondo, who declined to speak with the media after the 89-75 loss to the Nuggets Thursday night. Rondo quietly dressed and listened as Paul Pierce addressed the media, then slipped to a private room and stayed there.
Saturday night was the first time Rondo discussed the deal that sent his best friend to Oklahoma, and there wasn’t much of an indication that he was ready to move forward.
“We got the win, and that’s all that matters, try to get these two games,’’ he told the Globe [the Celtics play Utah tonight]. “We’ll find a way to get the win, without much practice time.’’
When asked about the trade, Rondo said, “Nothing else really much to say about that situation.’’
When asked if he had talked to Perkins, Rondo said, “Yeah, I talked to him. He’s maintaining.’’
Rondo is the commander of the Celtics’ offense. It’s up to him to figure where Green and Krstic like to receive the ball, and as Krstic learned Saturday night, it’s best for them to always have their hands ready for Rondo passes. Twice he hit Krstic with pinpoint deliveries and twice Krstic flubbed them.
For the Celtics to win the NBA title, Rondo has to be completely focused, and this trade affects that ability. Although they often argued playfully in front of the media, they were extremely close.
