Boston Celtics Roster 2013: Could Rajon Rondo Be Back in the Lineup Earlier Than Expected After His ACL Injury?

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has a partial tear in his ACL, which is leading to some confusing speculation about his return. His agent, Billy Duffy, says that Rondo could return to the Celtics' lineup sooner than expected, CBS sports reports (https://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/21664675/could-rajon-rondo-return-sooner-than-expected). That statement may be blown out of proportion though.

The ambiguity of Duffy's statement leaves a lot open to interpretation. "Sooner than expected" could mean a few days or weeks earlier. It doesn't necessarily mean he or anyone else thinks Rondo will be back at any point during the 2012-2013 regular season or even a late round of the playoffs if the Celtics make it that far. Celtics GM Danny Ainge is planning for a playoff run without the point guard, saying he won't return this season, and that his recovery pace hasn't been altered by the news of the partial tear.

By having a complete tear, it wouldn't automatically give Rondo a tougher time of recovering from the injury. The only possible positive to come from a partial versus a full tear is that surgery may not be needed. Since the injury is to a ligament and not a bone or a muscle, it will take a longer time for the injury to naturally heal. The surgery itself though has a long process for recovery, though it might offer a chance at a more complete one.

In an interview since hearing about his point guard's injury, coach Doc Rivers said he hopes Rondo can have a recovery similar to Adrian Peterson's. The Minnesota Vikings running back went from a season-ending injury in 2011 to an almost historic 2012 campaign, falling less than ten yards short of the single-season rushing record. Peterson attributed his recovery to the genetics in his family.

In Rondo's absence, many people expected Boston to struggle, but the team has done the opposite. For whatever the reason may be, the Celtics are undefeated in six games. There have been rumors that Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce may be traded, but Ainge has recently said he'd like to keep the current team intact. KG said he wants to retire a Celtic, but Pierce said he doesn't want to be around for another re-building effort in Boston and may retire to avoid it.