Rajon Rondo knows what a championship-caliber team looks like. For that matter, so does Giannis Antetokounmpo, who won an NBA title over a decade after Rondo’s Boston Celtics conquered the 2008 NBA Finals.
Throughout the Bucks’ turbulent 2025-26 campaign, Rondo has seen the team’s struggles up close and personal, as he now works as a “coaching associate” on Doc Rivers’ staff. Appearing on a recent episode of Kevin Garnett’s “KG Certified” podcast, Rondo talked about Antetokounmpo’s frustration this season as Milwaukee struggles to get to .500.
To me, we just haven’t bought into everybody being stars in their role consistently enough. I think that’s the frustration part.
From the looks of it, the issue described by Rajon Rondo has been years in the making. When the Bucks conquered the mountaintop five years ago, Antetokounmpo was surrounded by players who knew their part well and contributed to the effectiveness of the system run by then-head coach Mike Budenholzer. Jrue Holiday was the court general who helped set the tone defensively; Khris Middleton was a potent perimeter threat; and the likes of Brook Lopez and Bobby Portis brought toughness in the interior.
Over the past two years, though, Milwaukee’s identity has significantly changed as the main pieces of that championship core went elsewhere. Of those individuals mentioned (including Budenholzer), only Portis remains by Antetokounmpo’s side this season.
Rajon Rondo added that the Greek Freak himself has accountability in the Bucks’ woes.
Obviously, big fella missed a lot of games and it’s a big thing now how we’re trying to be good without Giannis on the court.
The Bucks (17-24) are far from title contention this season, but moving forward, they can heed Rondo’s advice and work on building a well-oiled machine again in Milwaukee.
“We Had Instant Chemistry”: Rajon Rondo Discusses Excellent Rapport With Celtics Teammate During Their Playing Career
Rajon Rondo, of course, was able to translate his selflessness as a team player into a championship victory back in 2008. In his appearance on “KG Certified,” he and Garnett discussed the great dynamic they had on the hardcourt.
“One of the guys I meshed with right away was you,” Garnett told Rondo. “I speak about how we had instant chemistry.”
“Thank you for making the game easier for me,” Rondo said in response.
With Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in tow, Rondo and Garnett helped the Celtics defeat the LA Lakers in six games 18 years ago. This was the lone title in Garnett’s career, while Rondo would win another ring with the Lakers in 2020.
