AC

BOSTON -- Former Boston Celtics captain Rajon Rondo acknowledged Friday that he "hasn't played defense in a couple years," and suggested that the recent trade that delivered him to the Dallas Mavericks has reinvigorated him, particularly on the defensive end. While addressing his return to Boston after Friday's shootaround at TD Garden, Rondo said what a lot of Celtics observers have long speculated: That his effort on the defensive end had waned, especially when the team dropped from contender status in recent seasons. "I haven't played defense in a couple years," Rondo said. "I've been able to hide a lot with Avery Bradley on the ball. He's helped out, the young guy. But [in Dallas] they expect me to play defense and, in the West, if you don't play defense you'll get embarrassed every night at the point guard position." Celtics coach Brad Stevens smiled when apprised of Rondo's comments, but declined to offer a response. "I don't know the...