Rajon Rondo slams Bulls for benching him

NBA Update: Rajon Rondo has been benched five consecutive games by Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg, but with Jimmy Butler (illness) and Dwyane Wade (rest) out for Tuesday’s matchup with the Wizards, the enigmatic point guard was back on the court, serving as the sixth man.

Before the game, Rondo told reporters why the Bulls decided that benching was the right thing to do despite $28 million attached to his name.

Rondo, who calls his situation the most confusing of his career, said he was told by a staff member that the Bulls and Hoiberg were trying to “save him from himself.”

“I thought it was bullsh—,” Rondo said. “Save me from myself? I never heard that before in my life. But I guess [they are] trying to do the best thing for me.”

Rondo was benched for the entire second half in a Dec. 30 loss to Indiana.

“In Cleveland, they told me I had a negative 20 in Indiana at halftime. I think that was part of the reason,” Rondo said.

Trading the 30-year-old Rondo, who entered Tuesday’s game averaging 7.2 points, 7.1 assists and 6.5 rebounds, could prove to be difficult. But it’s clear Rondo, who has been playing pickup games at a local middle school to stay in shape, is unhappy.

Asked if he felt he was lied to by the Bulls when they signed him, Rondo said, “Depends on how you guys write it. But yeah, it’s different. When I signed here, why I wanted to come here, it’s a lot different than what I anticipated.’’

Category: Basketball