http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketb...ticleid=1036344</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> “I didn’t realize how young Rondo was,” Garnett said of the 21-year-old. “And I didn’t know how good of a defender he was. I just thought of him as an average defender, knowing what little I did from last year.</p> “But so far he’s been phenomenal for us. He’s come in and he’s a very, very hard worker. You know I respect that right off the bat. He comes in and gets his nose dirty. He plays really, really hard. I love him. He’s unselfish. I’m trying to get him acclimated with Ray and Paul and myself.”</p> Garnett paused, shook his head and added, “I didn’t know this was just his second year, man. If Rondo’s not good, it’d only be because he doesn’t want to be good. The sky’s the limit for that kid.”</p> </div></p> Last year, Pierce gained great trust and confidence in Rajon, and prematurely stated that he could be a Gary Payton-like player without the swagger. Ray Allen has been working with him every morning working on his shooting, and has done nothing more or less than praise Rondo for his work ethic and the fact that he wants to get better. Even Doc, who seems to come down hard on every point guard he's ever coached, has expressed full confidence in him. Now, of course, Garnett speaks highly of him. I can't wait to see Rondo take the floor this year, I think he's a jump shot away from becoming a big time player in this league.</p>
