Rajon Rondo: Boston Celtics Star to Replace Joe Johnson in NBA All-Star Game

It appears as though Rajon Rondo of the Celtics will get to appear in the All-Star Game after all. According to Celtics' play-by-play man Sean Grande, Rondo will replace Joe Johnson on the Eastern Conference squad. 

"

Rondo will be the replacement for Joe Johnson on the All-Star team. Hasn't been announced yet, but hey, that's what Twitter's for I guess.

— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) February 22, 2012"

NBA observers can't deny that Rondo belongs on the squad. He is averaging just shy of 15 points a game and 10 assists, and he has been Boston's best player all season. 

Johnson, who is withdrawing from the game due to an injury, has averaged 17.6 points per game for the injury-plagued Atlanta Hawks. 

This will mark Rondo's third overall appearance in the game, as he made the squad in 2010 and 2011.

While this is a nice honor, this will not a good thing for Rondo or the Celtics. The best they can hope for is that nothing goes wrong. Rondo has dealt with injuries all year, and Boston has struggled this season. 

The last thing anyone would want as the playoff push approaches is for an injury to be re-aggravated in an exhibition game. Still, if he doesn't injure himself, then no harm has been done. It's just a tremendous risk that provides very little reward. 

Rondo will join teammate Paul Pierce in the game in representing the Celtics at the All-Star Game. 

The All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. EST from the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. and will be covered on TNT.

Follow @mdixon1985