Lakers News: Returning Veteran Guard Almost Brought To Tears In Preseason Game

Rajon Rondo is a well-loved player in Los Angeles, and most were elated when word got out that he is returning for another run with the Lakers.

Although he is expected to have a different role in his second coming donning the signature colors of purple and gold, the 35-year-old admitted that he is happy to be back.

Rondo officially played for the Lakers once more in a preseason game, entering the match at the 4:52 mark of the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets.

The two-time NBA champion got a warm ovation and bared that it struck him deep, TMZ reported.

"I almost cried again last night," the All-Star guard said. "It means everything. I was away for a year ... came back and the reception I got last night, I had to try to focus on the game."

"The love I got, the attention from the crowd getting back in the game. It was amazing."

Rondo was a vital figure for the Lakers when they won the NBA title in 2020. It was something that LeBron James and company missed dearly last season.

Now, they are hoping to get the vocal participation of Rondo back and hopefully win an 18th NBA title.

Regardless of what lies ahead for the four-time All-Star, he remains an asset for the Lakers.

Renowned sports author Roland Lazenby believes that Rondo will find a way to fit in when he spoke to Filipino journalist Brian Yalung on the Sports Bytes PH podcast last September 24.

“Rondo is a competitor. Always has been. He finds a way to fit. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t… He’s a true hoop spirit,” the author stated.

The NBA steals leader in 2010 is expected to play behind guys like Kendrick Nunn, Talen Horton-Tucker and Russell Westbrook.

But if these younger players fail to perform, expect head coach Frank Vogel to turn to Rondo to hopefully turn things around.

Should he win another NBA title, it will be interesting what lies ahead for Rondo who is undoubtedly one of the established guards that the league has produced to date.