Butler thinks Bulls can learn from Rondo's example
Even while injured, Bulls guard Rajon Rondo provided some entertainment during Friday's Game 3 loss.
Late in the first quarter, Boston's Jae Crowder hit a long jumper, then turned and ran upcourt very close to the Bulls bench. Rondo, wearing a purple suit, extended his leg, but it was well after Crowder had passed.
Naturally, Rondo was asked after the game if he was trying to trip Crowder, and Rondo had fun with the answer.
"Well, when you tear an ACL (which Rondo did several years ago), your leg gets stiff on you every once in a while," he answered with his usual straight face. "I stretch my leg out. I always do that throughout the game. I guess he was so deep into our bench, it looked like maybe whatever may have happened."
Asked about the video clip on Saturday, both Jimmy Butler and coach Fred Hoiberg claimed not to have seen it. But Butler seemed to be inspired by the idea of it.
"I like that type of stuff. We all know that," Butler said. "I like confrontation, stuff like that. Makes me smile. Gets me going and everybody else. I'm excited for what's next. I woke up smiling this morning. I don't like to lose. But I'm fortunate enough to wake up and still be able to play this game."
Butler does think the rest of the Bulls can learn from Rondo's competitive fire, whether it's by watching film of an opponent or helping with advice from the bench.
"That's just 'Do (Rondo) for you," Butler said. "He's been through this before, countless times. He's won. He knows what he's doing. I just think overall we have to take his edge, especially mentally - older guys, younger guys, everybody. We have to think the game like he thinks it, study it the way that he studies it. Take note and take after him because he does everything the right way."
Grant reflects on first start:
At the start of Friday's Game 3, the Bulls seemed a little confused on offense, as if they were trying to remember what used to work before Rajon Rondo returned to the starting lineup on March 13. After helping lead the Bulls to two victories in Boston, Rondo is sidelined indefinitely with a broken right thumb.
Not much worked well early in the contest, as the Bulls fell behind 33-15 after one quarter. Jerian Grant's first playoff start resulted in 6 points, 4 turnovers and no assists. He reflected on that performance Saturday at the Advocate Center.
"I'm definitely disappointed. We lost first of all and I didn't play well," Grant said. "I didn't affect the game the way I should have. I've got to take care of the ball, I had some careless turnovers. I have to push the pace … didn't play with a whole lot of energy, so I feel that starts with me."
Grant said he expects to start again Sunday in Game 4, although coach Fred Hoiberg said he will consider lineup changes.
"Obviously losing our leader like Rondo, guys were a little bit down, a little bit confused, but I feel like throughout the game we got better and figured some things out," Grant said.
"To start, obviously, you have nerves. This is your first playoff start, your first playoff experience, really. Throughout the game you kind of get more comfortable; I have great guys on my team who help me get confidence."
KG tries to motivate Celts:
The Celtics received some inspiration from former Boston center Kevin Garnett before Game 3. He sent along a video clip that was played for the team.
"It was just a little motivational speech," Celtics forward Jae Crowder said, according to The Boston Herald. "He said we looked like a team that wasn't having fun. We looked like a team that wasn't soaking the moment. We've just got to play for one another and play for the moment at hand, which is the playoffs, and have fun with it. Basically that's all he was saying, with a little more KG into it."
Why did Garnett try to motivate the Celtics when they were playing against Rajon Rondo, a longtime Boston teammate of Garnett, especially after Rondo praised Garnett in his Instagram response to Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade in January? That's a question without an answer for now.