Point guard Rajon Rondo has described the Chicago Bulls' reasoning for his benching as "bulls***".
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Rondo has been benched five consecutive NBA games by Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg, but with Jimmy Butler (illness) and Dwyane Wade (rest) out for Tuesday's matchup with the Wizards, the enigmatic point guard was back on the court, serving as the sixth man.
Before the 101-99 loss, Rondo told reporters why the Bulls decided that benching was the right thing to do despite $28million attached to his name.
Rondo, who calls his situation the most confusing of his career, said he was told by a staff member that the Bulls and Hoiberg were trying to "save him from himself."
"I thought it was bulls***," Rondo said. "Save me from myself? I never heard that before in my life. But I guess [they are] trying to do the best thing for me."
Rondo was benched for the entire second half in a defeat to the Indiana Pacers on December 30.
"In Cleveland, they told me I had a negative 20 in Indiana at half-time. I think that was part of the reason," Rondo said.
Asked if he felt he was lied to by the Bulls when they signed him, Rondo said, "Depends on how you guys write it. But yeah, it’s different. When I signed here, why I wanted to come here, it’s a lot different than what I anticipated."