Wade-Rondo Rivalry Revisited: Allegations of Intentional Injury Emerge
Two-time NBA champion Rajon Rondo believes Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade tried to injure him on purpose during Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals between the Heat and the Boston Celtics. Rondo took a no-shot elbow in the third quarter after being dragged to the floor by Wade. Rondo stayed in the game after the injury.
He had six points, three rebounds and 11 assists in 35 minutes, which helped the Celtics beat the Heat 97-81. However, Miami won the series 4–1 and advanced to the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals. Rondo and Wade had a fierce rivalry when Rondo was with the Celtics and Wade was with the Heat.
The two NBA legends reportedly patched things up in 2016-2017 when they were teammates with the Chicago Bulls. It was strange to see Rondo and Wade as teammates because they had many battles when they saw fit with the Celtics and Heat, but they were only teammates for one season.
The Bulls went 41-41 in 2016-17 and lost to the Celtics in the first round of the 2017 playoffs in six games. Wade played for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017-2018 season, while Rondo played for the New Orleans Pelicans. One of the best point guards in NBA history, Rondo finished with career averages of 9.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.1 steals with the Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Bulls, Pelicans, Los Angeles. Lakers, Atlanta. Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers and Cavaliers. He made four All-Star teams, one NBA team and four All-Defensive teams. Rondo also had one assist and three assists.
Wade, on the other hand, is widely regarded as the third best shooter in NBA history behind Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The Hall of Famer finished his legendary career with averages of 22.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 steals with the Heat, Bulls and Cavaliers. Wade made 13 All-Star teams, eight All-NBA teams and three All-Defensive teams. The three-time champion also won one Finals MVP, one scoring title and one All-Star Game MVP.
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