Your Morning Dump... where the Paul/Rondo thing won't die

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline.  Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.

So, here was Rondo surrounded with an embarrassment of point guard riches – K.G., Paul Pierce(notes) and Ray Allen(notes), a championship banner and a fat, new $55 million contract. Rondo felt emboldened, eager to engage Paul. The procession of trash talk, sources said, pushed into the personal when Rondo was heard to tell Paul, “I’ve got a ring, and you’re never gonna win one.”

As they traded technical fouls at the Boston Garden, as emotions escalated, sources said Rondo declared that Paul wished he could be him, suggesting that his frustration dripped with envy. On the way to the locker room, Hornets coach Byron Scott heard Paul insist that Rondo “is gonna respect me as a man,” and soon Paul started on his way down the corridor to tell the Celtics point guard himself.

Several coaches prevented Paul from getting close to Rondo outside the Celtics’ locker room, but the overriding theme of Paul’s rage was easily understood: Before you talk trash again, feel free to walk a mile in my Brand Jordan’s.

“If Rondo had to trade in K.G., Pierce, Ray and Rasheed for the guys that Chris plays with [in New Orleans], I guarantee that you wouldn’t be seeing Rondo get a $55 million contract,” one Hornets source said.

Adrian Wojonarowski: Paul's frustration goes, even if he hides it

Rondo is coming across as a big league jerk in this situation. Paul must have said something to him or engaged him in some trash talk. He also might be extra sensitive right now (read this). I'll give Rondo the benefit of the doubt, but fans across the league and the national media won't, especially when they factor in the Kirk Hinrich/Brad Miller incidents from last year's playoffs.

As for that last statement by a Hornets source, he's right. But that applies to a lot of guys. Tony Parker wouldn't have championships and an actress wife if it wasn't for Tim Duncan.

On page 2, Doc's funny take on the whole Chris Paul/Rondo showdown...

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

“I proposed to the refs that if you’re under 190 (pounds) you should let them fight,” Rivers said. “Just let them get it out of the way. They can’t hurt each other. It’s impossible. That would be great, and it would be good entertainment. Then we could move on and play the game.”

Steve Bulpett's Celtics Notebook

The rest of the links:

Globe - Rondo Inscrutable, Indespensable | Globe 10.0 Good Deal? | Bias Tragedy Gets ESPN Replay | Herald - Celtics Stick with Point | Deal Sign of No Distractions | 76ers Scouting Report | ESPN - NBA Investigating Rondo/Paul Spat | Ginobli Gets Rabies Shots | Newsday - CP situation mirrors KG |