Celtics' Rondo Vows He Will Never Play for the Heat

Rondo tells campers "I will never play for the Miami Heat," even though the Heat are not trying to acquire him

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo is not a fan of the Miami Heat. The Heat eliminated his Celtics squad in the second round of the 2011 playoffs, and topped Boston in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals despite falling behind 3-2 in the series and having to win an elimination game in Boston.

Exactly how little he regards the reigning champs came into focus on Thursday, when he told attendees at his youth basketball camp in Kentucky, "I will never play for the Miami Heat."

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The remark came in response to a question about his status with the Celtics. Boston has dismantled much of the roster that took the Celtics to six straight playoff appearances and two NBA Finals (with one championship in 2008).

The Celtics traded Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, while coach Doc Rivers was sent to the LA Clippers. Rondo is the only player left from Boston's 2007-2012 core, and though he could be trade bait for a rebuilding Celtics franchise, he does not want anything to do with the Miami Heat.

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Not that anyone in Miami is looking into Rondo. The Heat are returning 13 players from last year's defending championship squad, and seem content to use Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole at the point guard position.

Besides, Rondo's $12 million salary is much too expensive for the Heat, who may have to use the NBA's amnesty provision on guard Mike Miller in order to reduce an estimated $33 million luxury tax bill.

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And with LeBron James on the roster, having a top-flight point guard is not much of a priority for Heat president Pat Riley.

So Rondo did not exactly shock the world with his comment. But he did remind everyone that the Heat will likely remain the most loathed team in the NBA outside of South Florida next season, when they aim to do something only four franchises have done and win a third championship in a row.

Watch Rondo make his statement about the Heat below:

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