Rajon Rondo Doesn't Mince Words in His Halftime Analysis

Rajon Rondo has a complicated relationship with recording devices. When posed a question in range of a camera or recorder, Rondo is perfectly capable of being insightful and charismatic—exactly the kind of thoughtful player and interview that basketball fans would adore by the column or YouTube clip-full.

Yet just as entertaining is Rondo at his most defiant. In many cases that translates to making life particularly difficult for media members asking questions that Rondo has no intention or desire to answer. But on Sunday night, Rondo's fundamental Rondo-ness manifested itself in the form of a barb during his halftime interview with Doris Burke.

Nice. The kicker: Rondo wasn't wrong. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (and to a lesser extent, Mario Chalmers) clearly took the post-Game 3 criticism to heart, and were looking to attack the basket and get to the free-throw line early in Game 4. The Celtics weren't exactly willing to play along, and managed to play fantastic, physical defense that fell just inside acceptable lines. Boston didn't bail out Miami with excessive contact in the paint, and the Heat voiced a displeasure with the lack of favorable whistles early and often.

It's not exactly a habit exclusive to the Heat, but Miami was—and frequently is—guilty on this particular occasion. I wouldn't say that particular vice was the cause of Boston's uncanny offensive competence in the first half, but who am I to deny Rondo a chance to prod the Heat on national TV?