The Los Angeles Lakers’ time in the NBA bubble could have gotten off to a bad start, with guard Rajon Rondo uncovering a fractured thumb during the team’s second practice, but coach Frank Vogel still has the veteran’s contributions.
“What we have to understand about Rajon, losing Rajon is a great loss for our team, but we hope Rajon will be part of our playoff career,” Vogel said in a video conference with journalists on Monday.
Rondo’s injury will require surgery, the team announced, and the recovery period is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks. Vogel said that will put Rondo’s return somewhere between the first and second round of the playoffs.
“We are very confident that he can come back and be an important factor for us in our playoff career,” said Vogel.
Rondo, who signed with the Lakers in 2018, wasted time twice during the 2018-19 season after undergoing separate surgeries to repair a fractured third metacarpal in his right hand and a torn ligament in his right ring finger. Vogel and several Lakers players said they were unsure how Rondo suffered the injury during practice on Sunday and, apparently, Rondo was also unsure.
“He took a break and asked to go and have the coaches look at him and he was concerned that something had happened,” Vogel said. “But I wasn’t sure exactly what play happened.”
According to Vogel, the 34-year-old man will leave Orlando, Florida, to undergo surgery and begin rehabilitation. The point guard, known for his high basketball IQ, will be welcomed as an unofficial member of Vogel’s coaching staff while away, in the same way that former Lakers coach Luke Walton incorporated Rondo into his team when he injured last season.
“We have been doing a lot with our staff outside the bubble, coaches, video guys,” said Vogel. “[Such as] Kurt Rambis can observe the Zoom practice, be part of the Zoom coaching staff meetings. I will definitely offer that kind of information or participation to Rajon if that is something that interests him. “
Lakers guard Danny Green said the team will miss Rondo’s reserve presence, citing Los Angeles’ 14-1 record this season when Rondo scores 10 or more points.
“It is never a good sign when some of your players get hurt,” Green said. “We need him to come out of the bank and give us a little spark. But I know he will be on the sidelines for us. [when he returns to Orlando after rehab], training his son, teaching us and letting young people know … what he sees and what adjustments we should make. “
Rondo is the second guard the Lakers have lost since the NBA restart was announced. Starting guard Avery Bradley chose to leave Orlando, citing family concerns about the coronavirus, in addition to keeping his focus on the social injustices facing his community. The Lakers signed JR Smith to replace Bradley.
They are not allowed to bring a replacement player for Rondo while he is away, according to NBA rules. Vogel said there will be “open competition” to fill Bradley’s role in the opening unit, but that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is the favorite. LA was 17-3 with Caldwell-Pope as the starter this season.
“Kentavious Caldwell-Pope did a phenomenal job early when Avery was injured on the season,” said Vogel. “That’s really what I’m at in terms of what the starting lineup will look like, with him in that position. But obviously, we’ll see how things are going during practice, and other guys will have opportunities.”
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