Rajon Rondo Benched for His Own Chicago Bulls Bobblehead Night
Rajon Rondo suited up for the Chicago Bulls Monday night. But in a way most people wouldn’t think of.
Despite Rondo’s recent benching by Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg, the team went ahead with the bobblehead night in their suspended point guard’s honor because nobody wants to just dump a couple thousand bobbleheads.
Last month, Rondo served a one game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team.” The Vertical reported that the former all-star had a “heated exchange” with Bulls assistant coach Jim Boylan. The incident took place against the Dallas Mavericks, where he previously clashed with coach Rick Carlisle after he was traded from the Boston Celtics.
Rondo has a history of outbursts in previous stops with Celtics, Mavericks and the Kings. Most notably he was suspended one game last season for yelling a gay slur at a referee. The incident prompted the referee to publicly reveal that he is gay.
Rondo, who is in his first season with the Bulls, has not played since the incident with Boylan. He was last seen helping out the team’s younger players on the Windy City Bulls, the team’s D-League affiliate. Despite the benching, Rondo seems to use a pragmatic tone in discussing his situation.
“[Hoiberg] told me that I’ve been looking slow the last five games,” Rondo told ESPN, “He asks me all the time, ‘Am I healthy?’ I responded, saying that I think this is the best I’ve ever felt this part of the season, so we’ll see how it goes.”
He said he disagreed with the message that his play has declined in recent games.
“But that’s part of it,” he said. “He’s the head coach and we’re going to go with that.”
Rondo signed a two year deal with the Bulls before the start of the 2016-17 season.