Before re-emerging with the Sacramento Kings this season, point guard Rajon Rondo had a stop with the Dallas Mavericks, that did not really have a happy ending and the veterean point guard spoke about it in an interview.
"Every relationship doesn't work. It just didn't work. No excuses, no pointing the finger at anybody," Rondo said in an interview with ESPN.com.
"It made me stronger, made me appreciate just playing the game, especially playing at a high level. I never doubted myself. It just didn't work," he added.
Rondo came to the Mavs in December of 2014 with big man Dwight Powell via a trade deal from the Boston Celtics, in exchange for five players which included two draft picks.
The Mavericks were hoping the 29-year-old was the missing piece they needed, but that was not the case as the season progressed.
Rondo had verbal altercation with head coach Rick Carlisle which not only earned him benching during a game, but eventually a suspension resulting from the heated exchange.
In the first round of last season's playoffs, a back injury caused Rondo the remainder of the season with it also ending his stay in Dallas.
When asked what he learned from the experience playing for the Mavericks he answered, "You handle adversity, and I think it made me hungrier. I never [started] doubting myself. It made me work a little bit harder."
The one-time National Basketball Association (NBA) champion also said, " I think I worked the hardest I've ever worked in the NBA this summer."
During Rondo's stint with Dallas, he played and started in 46 regular season games averaging 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in 28.7 minutes of action per outing.
In the interview, Rondo also said there are no regrets in his time with the Mavericks. Things just did not really work out with Carlisle, even though they tried their best.
Now with Sacramento, Rondo is again playing at a high level like the way he did in his early years with the Celtics.
As a starting point guard for the Kings, Rondo is averaging 12 points, 6.5 rebounds, 11.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 35.4 minutes played per game.
