Here are the 'dangerous' Rajon Rondo plays that have Warriors on alert

NEW ORLEANS — Rajon Rondo and Draymond Green have won NBA titles and never have been known to shy away from conflict on the court.

Now their combustible convergence in the playoffs is providing a spicy subplot to the Western Conference semifinal series between New Orleans and Golden State.

“We’re here to fight,” Rondo said following New Orleans’ lopsided Game 3 victory that trimmed the Warriors’ series lead to 2-1. “With my guys on the court, I’m going to fight as hard as I can … and do whatever it takes.”

The tactics used in that fight are in question. Warriors coach Steve Kerr alluded to “dangerous” plays that Rondo resorted to in Friday’s Game 3 of the series the Warriors lead 2-1.

“I think Draymond’s done a good job of handling his business,” Kerr said after Saturday’s practice, via ESPN. “Rondo is a competitor. So they’re competing. I don’t see anything wrong with it other than the tripping [by Rondo]. You can’t do that. I’m all for getting underneath guys’ skin, but you can’t try to step on a guy’s foot or try to swipe a guy underneath his feet while he’s shooting. Those are dangerous plays. Other than that, I like the competition.”

Rondo was caught giving Green a “flat tire” — stepping on the back of his foot, which could make a person step out of his shoe (or could hurt Green).

Did Rondo try to trip Draymond 👀🤔 pic.twitter.com/95GYe0z2fV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 5, 2018

Earlier in the game, Stephen Curry went up for a jump shot and Rondo appeared to swipe his foot underneath a leaping Curry. Had Curry come down on Rondo, a star with a troubling history of ankle issues may have had another to deal with.

Green and Curry shrugged at the plays, while Kevin Durant had a more telling reaction.

“What do you want me to say about that?” he said, when shown the video.

Green and Rondo had to be separated after whistles twice in the first three games, and they’ll be back at it again in one of two pivotal Game 4s to be played Sunday. The other pits Houston against Utah in a series that the Rockets lead 2-1.

The Rondo-Green sideshow is compelling because of what both players mean to their teams. They are not the type of trash-talking, loud-mouths who otherwise play marginal roles. They are accomplished leaders who produce. Rondo had 21 assists in Game 3, while Green nearly had a triple-double with 11 points, 12 rebounds and nine assist. It just so happens they also are renowned for their masterful command of psychological gamesmanship.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry might have the best perspective; he’s coached them both.

Gentry was a Warriors assistant on Golden State’s 2015 championship team and maintains a friendly off-court relationship with Green.

“If he’s on your team you love him and if he’s not on your team you despise him — and to me, those are the kind of players that I like to have,” Gentry said of Green. “I appreciate who he is and how he plays because he’s all about winning. And if you’re verbally weak, he’s going to take advantage of that.”

Green bristled at the notion that he started any of the dust-ups with Rondo, insinuating that Rondo was the instigator. He asserted that his awareness of Rondo’s intentions is why he hasn’t been suckered into escalations that could result in a technical foul or ejection.

“I’m not an idiot,” Green said. “I can see what they’re trying to accomplish a mile away.”

Green added: “At some point, somebody’s got to tell the truth. It ain’t Draymond this time.”

But Green has been in the face of other Pelicans, tangling with All-Star Anthony Davis behind the play in one instance and yelling at the Pelicans’ bench in another. Green’s antics even agitated TNT studio host and former player Charles Barkley, who said he wanted to punch Green in the face. Barkley later apologized for his word choice, if not his sentiment.

Pelicans forward Solomon Hill explained that Rondo — accomplished, playoff-savvy veteran that he is — seeks to neutralize Green’s psychological effect by taking on a “big brother” role for the Pelicans.

“If somebody’s yelling in your ear, you’re going to get to a point where it’s about respect,” said Hill, who refers to Rondo by his nickname, Do. “And that’s kind of where Do is. Do’s like: ‘We’re going to be respected. You’re not going to come out here and dance around and disrespect us as competitors.'”

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