Unlimited Website Traffic: Ben Shapiro: Boston Celtics: Will Rajon Rondo's Injury End the Team's Playoff Hopes?

Ben Shapiro: Boston Celtics: Will Rajon Rondo's Injury End the Team's Playoff Hopes? HPFB.init();

HuffPost's QuickRead...ShareBox.ad = function (tag_id){if ($(tag_id) == undefined) return; if ($(tag_id).innerHTML != '') return;ad_spec = {"zone_info": "huffpost.sports","ord": 1359339086,"tile": 3,"width": 300,"height": 250,"el_id": tag_id + "_js","class_name": "ad_block ad_wide top","type": "iframe"}HuffPoUtil.WEDGJE.write(ad_spec, tag_id);};Loading... HuffPost's QuickRead...

Golf iPhone app iPad app Android phone app Android tablet app More Log in Create Account Notifications Profile Settings Logout #topnav_margin_btm { margin:0 !important } January 27, 2013

Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributorsHot on the BlogMark Cuban Gary Hart Dr. Peggy Drexler Gordon Brown HuffPost Social Reading

Some error occurred Login with Facebook to see what your friends are reading Enable Social Reading i

Settings Read Share Settings Learn More

Ben ShapiroFreelance writer

GET UPDATES FROM Ben Shapiro Like 5 Boston Celtics: Will Rajon Rondo's Injury End the Team's Playoff Hopes? Posted: 01/27/2013 6:42 pm Follow

NBA , Boston Celtics , Miami Heat , Rajon Rondo , Rajon Rondo Acl , Rajon Rondo Injury , Rajon Rondo Torn Acl , Rondo Injury , Sports News
#news_entries #ad_sharebox_260x60 img {padding:0px;margin:0px} share this story Submit this storydigg reddit stumble

Of all the players on the Boston Celtics, Rajon Rondo was probably the most irreplaceable talent.

That's doesn't matter anymore.

Sunday afternoon the Boston Celtics tweeted the bad news that Rajon Rondo, the team's All-Star point guard -- and one the NBA's best all around basketball players -- has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the remainder of the 2012-13 season.

For a Celtics team that had struggled all season to work new players into their system, and get consistent play from their aging veterans the news could not be worse.

Now Boston must face some very tough choices.

Are the Celtics prepared to try and trade for a point guard to fill in for the remainder of the season? Can Avery Bradley, a player known mainly for his defense fill-in at the point guard position?

The Celtics could also decide to shop veteran small forward Paul Pierce. Pierce can become a free agent following this season's conclusion. Now in his 15th season as a Celtic. He is the franchise's second all-time leading scorer. Dealing Pierce was signal the end of an era in Boston.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports has already suggested that Pierce could be traded to Memphis in exchange for Rudy Gay.

There is little chance the Celtics will find an adequate replacement for Rondo, whose 11.1 assists per game lead the NBA.

Avery Bradley figures to receive the bulk of minutes at point guard in the short-term. Bradley doesn't have much experience running the point, but he's a stellar defender and great athlete.

It was Bradley's emergence that forced veteran Ray Allen out of the starting lineup last spring.

Now Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers will turn to Bradley again, and this time the challenge will be even more daunting.

Can Bradley handle the increased pressure of defending opposing point guards during a time of unprecedented depth and talent in the NBA at the position?

Can Bradley efficiently distribute the ball to a Celtics roster that features two future hall of fame players in Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, veterans Jason Terry and Courtney Lee and young players such as Jeff Green and rookie Jared Sullinger?

With the Celtics' playoff status already in a precarious position, there will be plenty of people who will suggest the Celtics basically give-up on this season.

When head coach Doc Rivers was asked by Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski about writing-off this season following the news of Rondo's injury, he responded that he wasn't ready to do that.

"You can write the obituary, but I'm not."

WIth a roster that has young talent and veteran leadership, as well as one of the NBA's more accomplished head coaches, the Celtics aren't ready to turn the page on the 2012-13 season. Replacing Rondo will be next to impossible, but the team is determined to make an effort.

That was apparent on Sunday afternoon when the Rondo-less Celtics knocked off the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat in a double-overtime thriller in Boston.

How much momentum the Celtics can take from Sunday afternoon's win is a big question. The win snapped a six-game losing steak and featured a triple-double from Paul Pierce, but the real test is yet to come.

There are 38 games remaining in the regular season and the Celtics will need to play better basketball without Rajon Rondo than they were playing with the All-Star point guard. That's not going to be easy.

Follow Ben Shapiro on Twitter:www.twitter.com/redsoxmonster

FOLLOW SPORTS Like 27k Get Alerts #ad_bottom_article_text {margin-bottom: 15px} Miami Heat NBA Related News On Huffington Post:
Celtics Top Heat 100-98 In Double Overtime; Rajon Rondo Out For Year (VIDEO) Paul Pierce Learns Rajon Rondo Tore ACL During Interview, Is Not Pleased (VIDEO) Rajon Rondo ACL Torn: Celtics Star Out For Season With Knee Injury; Surgery Expected

Celtics Top Heat 100-98 In Double Overtime; Rajon Rondo Out For Year (VIDEO)

BOSTON — Paul Pierce hit a go-ahead jumper with 31 seconds left and the Boston Celtics beat the Miami Heat 100-98 in double overtime Sunday...

Paul Pierce Learns Rajon Rondo Tore ACL During Interview, Is Not Pleased (VIDEO)

Unlike those who were watching the Celtics-Heat broadcast on Sunday or were following the action on social media, Paul Pierce didn't learn about teammate Rajon...

Rajon Rondo ACL Torn: Celtics Star Out For Season With Knee Injury; Surgery Expected

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics star Rajon Rondo has torn his anterior cruciate ligament and will miss the rest of the season. The team made...

KatrinaNation My daughter had two ACL injuries from playing b-ball. Terrible injury-- & sad news about Celtics' Rajon Rondo & his ACL injury. 4 hours ago from web

actorbrianwhite SMH. LOL! -> He went 16/10/11 #True RT @ramirotorres: The important question is: Did #RajonRondo get his triple double before the injury? 6 hours ago from TweetDeck Show more results TOP INFLUENCERS ON THIS TOPIC

78 More in Sports...

Rajon Rondo ACL Torn: Celtics Star Out...

Rajon Rondo Torn ACL: Celtics All-Star Out...

Celtics Top Heat 100-98 In Double Overtime;...

Paul Pierce Learns Rajon Rondo Tore ACL...

Comments0Pending Comments0 View FAQ

Previewing Your Comment. This comment has not yet been posted You have exceeded your word limit by words. Please click the "Edit" button and shorten your comment.

Post Comment Edit Cancel

You can post to us this information Contact us

Click here to leave a comment.HuffPost High School welcomes a lively, thoughtful debate in the comment section. Keep in mind that the articles here are penned by young authors, so please keep criticism respectful, and help us to keep this a safe and supportive place for writers of all ages to contribute.Post Comment Preview Comment To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to. Post Comment Preview Comment To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.

Share your Comment:

Post to Facebook. Post to Blogger. Post to Twitter. Post to WordPress. Post to TypePad. Post to Tumblr. Post to Yahoo! Blogger login: Blogger password: Select blog: refresh list Remember me: Wordpress host: Wordpress login: Wordpress password: Remember me: TypePad host: TypePad login: TypePad password: Select blog: refresh list Remember me: Tumblr login: Tumblr password: Remember me: Community Notice: We've made some changes to our badge program, including the addition
of our newest badge: Community Curator.

View All Recency | Popularity new comment(s) on this entry — Click to refresh

Loading comments… FOLLOW US

Connect with your friends Check out stories you might like,
and see what your friends are sharing!

Most Popular on HuffPost jIKCemuD%2BH9rWRxJUIe%2FbYg3Xx78SzJujhg72HsSBM9O5Ao2RwPsC1tLzq61JdDdqZ1g4UE9geQfGFqA30uO0WqSzm9HLHLhpmzz1gEymOlkJKXDcns2AprXiKPpLzxpBjXTXFuu3tzThJEBYPkUrS6kXa1oQD%2FwOGYzmqOctx%2B%2B0H0VLkmPEPtLFkxQ%2F4ts1 of 2

15 Unintentionally Inappropriate Kid Drawings
Like 5k

Miley Cyrus Goes Braless On Cosmopolitan Cover
Recommend 297

Ellen Kardashian Slams Kim And Khloe For Calling Her 'Trash'
Like 195

Over 150 Cats Removed From Home
Recommend 527

Ben Affleck And Baby Samuel Brave The Rain In L.A.
Like 116

Nightclub Fire In Brazil Kills At Least 232
Recommend 4k

Romney Campaign Seeks Correction From Fact-Checker, Fact-Checker Says, 'No.'
Like 7k

Burt Reynolds Enters ICU
Recommend 1k

Teen Watched Rob Zombie's 'Halloween' A Lot Before Killing Mom, Sister (READ FULL CONFESSION)
Recommend 3k Don't Miss HuffPost Bloggers1 of 5

Mark CubanWill Your College Go Out of Business Before You Graduate?

Gary HartDemocrats and Defense

Dr. Peggy DrexlerWhy Aren’t Women Voting For Women

Gordon BrownGirl Rising: A Better Life Begins in School

Timothy P. ShriverAn Inaugural Shift

Al GoreThe Future

Paul McCartneyMy Life as a Vegetarian - Supporting Linda’s Legacy

Ralph NaderThe Power of Government Purchasing

Michael MooreIn Defense of Zero Dark Thirty

Gordon BrownGirl Rising: Adult Complacency Is Over Fan Hits $75,000 Shot, Gets Hug From LeBron!

How To Put On the Ultimate Super Bowl Party

Will Alcohol Be Banned for The Super Bow!?

Scribol » MOST DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW2RgnQXLokElFimSGDV8i8a43pip0bdKPiJKomeBLqmM3QvAVQ0trgKQA9zRBn5c91 of 2

Obama Weighs In On Football Head Injuries

Retired MLB Slugger On Steroid Users: 'They Chose This'
HOT ON FACEBOOK2RgnQXLokElFimSGDV8i8TKPvBq8xPkmgYINREC4w8w%3DiJKomeBLqmM3QvAVQ0trgPTAYkCdRanfpr%2BnvSQA9QM%3DjpeKJKgSs0bJPlRX0pV4Fss35VaaM%2Fhsd5ArrOAf1yA%3DBOtU3b1XxZk4nFbyxzX7qw%3D%3D1 of 3