Two days ago, Rajon Rondo had nearly a week off for the All-Star break. Now he’s an extremely busy man.
The star point guard of the Boston Celtics, added Wednesday to the Eastern Conference All-Stars as an injury replacement for Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, will also fill in for injured Stephen Curry of Golden State in the Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday.
The NBA announced the move Friday, hours before media availability begins in Orlando, Fla. Sheridan Hoops is on site and will have news and features throughout All-Star Weekend.
The is the first time Rondo has participated in the Skills Challenge, an obstacle course of dribbling, passing and shooting. Curry is the defending champion but strained a tendon in his right foot Wednesday night and is unavailable.
The rest of the field includes point guards Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City, Deron Williams of New Jersey, Tony Parker of San Antonio, John Wall of Washington and Kyrie Irving of Cleveland. Williams won in 2008.
Also, Johnson was scheduled to participate in the Shooting Stars but will be replaced by Hawks teammate Jerry Stackhouse.