"Coach, that's Derrick Rose right there! Take me out of the game! NOW!!"

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Charles F. Gardner writes that Rajon Rondo withdrew from Team USA because he was afraid of Derrick Rose’s strong play. Reporters these days. They’re SO smart.

And even though this group has been dubbed a ‘B’ team, it still may have enough talent to give the U.S. its first world championship since 1994. Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant has emerged as the leader of a young U.S. team, and Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose has seized the starting point guard role and given indications he could be a huge factor for the team during the 2012 London Olympics. In fact, Rose’s strong play led Boston guard Rajon Rondo to make a last-minute withdrawal from the squad before the final cut was made earlier this week.”

Ah, why didn’t I think of this?!?!? Rondo was clearly afraid of Rose. And why wouldn’t he be??? Rondo has been having nightmares about Rose ever since the 2009 playoffs. Rose dominated Rondo so badly that series that Rondo only averaged 19.4 points, 11.6 assists and 9.3 rebounds: not even a triple double! And when Rondo had his one bad game during the Team USA tryout period, against Lithuania, Rose was busy destroying every Lithuanian in his path. Rose looked like the best point guard in the world that day, setting the world on fire with 2 points and 3 assists! I’m surprised they didn’t name a wing in the Hall of Fame after him because of that masterpiece.

Look, I may have thrown out a couple theories about why Rondo is no longer with Team USA but I don’t actually know the reason. However, I CAN tell you this much: It’s not that he was worried about Derrick Rose’s strong play. I doubt if Rajon Rondo is afraid of a single thing this world has to offer.

Looking good, Rudy.

I’m starting to hate the Rudy Fernandez watch. I really am. I feel obligated to report all the news regarding his situation, but nothing too new has come out in years. Today I have to report that the Blazers are still attempting to trade him and won’t even consider releasing him, although I feel like both of those “news” items have been common knowledge for weeks. (Blazer’s Edge)

Are you still looking into trades for Rudy Fernandez?

“I’ve talked to a lot of teams. I don’t want to get into specific trade talks. The whole Rudy issue is out there so I will speak to it a little bit. I have been active in talking to a lot of teams.”

The process with Rudy has turned a little ugly, hasn’t it? 

“Well, I have been in the league since 1995 and I’ve been in situations where other players have wanted out. This isn’t the first time this has happened and it probably won’t be the last time. I’ve been in these types of situation before. This one is very vocal unfortunately and hopefully it won’t be as vocal going forward.” 

Does a situation like this make it difficult to work with an agent regarding other players in the future?

“It certainly doesn’t help. You try to look at each transaction or each incident by itself and each negotiation by itself and then move forward. It’s a business so you try to isolate it and move forward. Start with a clean slate with the next player.”

Would you consider releasing Rudy Fernandez’s rights?

“We won’t release his rights.”

Not even an option?

“No, that’s not an option right now.”

At this point, I don’t really care whether Rudy comes to the Celtics or not. I just want the goddamn Rudy watch to be done with. It’s starting to feel like the Matt freaking Barnes watch. And you guys know how that one ended.

Rudy isn’t good enough to hijack the news like this. He’s slated to be a 10th or 11th man in Portland. He can’t really create a shot and “defense” isn’t exactly in his vocabulary. Rudy would help the Celtics, don’t get me wrong, but he has really looked like a huge ass this summer and I’m not sure he’s any better than Von Wafer.

We normally do just one highlight reel a day, but this video was too good not to post right away.

The Elite 24, along with NBA stars Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, and John Wall, got together last night for some late-night hoops at the Hangar Athletic Xchange (HAX) in Hawthorne, CA. Ballislife.com was able to tape the pick up games, which you won’t want to miss. Look out for Austin Rivers crossing up John Wall just past the one-minute mark.

The Boost Mobile Elite 24 is a basketball event featuring the nation’s 24 best high school basketball players. The event will be held at the Venice Beach Courts in Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday. The slam-dunk contest is Friday at 8 PM ET, while the game is on Saturday at 7:30 ET. Both will be televised on ESPNU. Among the participants are Doc Rivers’s son Austin, and Dennis Johnson’s nephew, Nick Johnson. For the complete roster, click here.

(h/t @MrMichaelLee)

Nick Johnson, a 6’3″ guard for Findlay Prep, is the nephew of the late Dennis Johnson, and the son of Joey Johnson, a former Arizone State standout and a California playground legend. Joey reportedly had a 52-inch vertical leap.

“I thought for someone to jump like that didn’t make sense for the normal mechanics of the human body,” Bill Lee, former Lynnwood HS coach, told ESPN Rise.  ”Like he was a danger or could hurt himself jumping that high.”

Nick has inherited his father’s outstanding leaping ability, along with the skills to become a top-flight college player . Nick, the 45th ranked player in his class according to Rivals.com, has recently committed to play his college basketball for Sean Miller and the Arizona Wildcats.

The ESPN Boston summer forecast continues today and the question is, who will start at center, Jermaine O’Neal, or Shaquille O’Neal? 14 of the 18 Celtics bloggers thought that Jermaine O’Neal will be the starting center when the season tips off on October 26th. Here’s what Jay had to say:

If I were Doc Rivers, I’d start Jermaine O’Neal. Not that he’s better than Shaq (although he probably is), but Jermaine is just a better fit with the first unit. He blocks shots, doesn’t demand the ball and actually knows the basketball meaning of the term “hedge.” Plus, I like the idea of Shaq coming off the bench and the C’s pounding it into him for a few easy buckets. The second group could really benefit from the Diesel’s low-post scoring.

To read my response, and the response of the other Celtics bloggers, head over to the Celtics summer forecast. Leave a comment with YOUR opinion on who should, or will, start at center for the Boston Celtics.

As a player, coach and broadcaster, Tommy Heinsohn has dedicated approximately half a century to the Boston Celtics organization. He slapped 37 points and 23 rebounds in a double-overtime Game 7 victory during the NBA Finals of his rookie year. He was a six-time All-Star. He won eight titles as a player, and then two more as a coach. Because of his blatant bias, Heinsohn became a commentator who was loathed or teased by opposing fans but beloved by the Celtics brethren.

As an announcer, he originated the terms “Tommy Point” and “I LOOOVVVEEE WALLLTTAAAHHH”, and refuses to hide the fact that he bleeds Green. He’s known for screaming at refs while he’s supposed to be commentating the game, and there are times he seems close to a heart attack. Few people, if any, have had as lasting and positive an effect on a single organization as Heinsohn has. So happy birthday, Tommy. You’ve received more Tommy points in your life than you or I could even count.