It's never fun for the Boston Celtics when they lose to the Miami Heat, especially when LeBron James doesn't even play during the fourth quarter because of leg cramps. That probably explains why Rajon Rondo grabbed Dwyane Wade's neck as he drove by in the closing seconds of game. The above video comes via Sports Illustrated.
Rajon Rondo’s flagrant foul on Dwyane Wade
Video of Rajon Rondo grabbing Dwyane Wade’s neck in the closing seconds of the Heat’s win over the Celtics.
Rondo was called for a flagrant foul on the play, and he could very well face further discipline from the league office. The neck hook evoked memories of Raja Bell's shocking foul on Kobe Bryant in the 2006 NBA Playoffs. Bell was suspended for one game in that series.
Obviously, this behavior from Rondo was uncalled for at that time. Rondo didn’t cock back like Bell did, but it was still a dangerous move and a misguided attempt to appear tough. At the same time, it also probably wasn’t the right time for Wade to make a hard drive to the basket. It would have been more appropriate for Wade to hand the ball to the referee and accept the shot-clock violation.
