Rondo had no clue what D’Antoni said while putting together a 21-point, 12-assist outing in the Celtics’ 101-89 series-clinching win yesterday.
When he learned of D’Antoni’s opinion, Rondo smirked.
“That’s one man’s opinion,’’ Rondo said.
His shaky shooting touch makes him an easy target, but yesterday Rondo knocked down 8 of 12 field goal attempts (he also went 5 of 11 from the stripe). He averaged 19 points and 12 assists for the series, shooting 50 percent from the field.
Afterward, D’Antoni couched his previous statement.
“Everybody is tied together and they have three Hall of Famers out there,’’ D’Antoni said. “Rondo is a very good basketball player — really good. But if you look at their team you have to say, ‘What can we take away? What do we have to give them and play the odds?’
“You have to give [Rondo] his shot and you have to try to close up the middle on him and that’s kind of how we did it. We think that’s the best way to go. Nothing might work because they’re that good.’’
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Rondo isn’t necessarily a product of the players around him, but the stigma won’t leave him until they do.
“You play with those guys, that’s probably what you’re going to get,’’ Rivers said. “I don’t think he would trade it. He enjoys playing with them. But if there’s a negative side, that would be it: No matter how well you play, the question will be [there]. Someday that’ll be answered, too. I’ve got a feeling he’ll answer them all in the way he’s answered them now.’’
“When he’s playing at the top of his game, we’re tough to beat,’’ Paul Pierce said. “That just shows you how important he is to our team.’’
Passing praise The Celtics beat the Knicks eight times this season (not counting two preseason wins) and over their four playoff games, the Knicks led for all of 1 minute, 7 seconds.
Still, the Celtics walked away with a large measure of respect for a team they dominated.
