Paul Pierce not surprised Rajon Rondo is back on the court already

This Sunday Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett will make their first visit back to Boston wearing black and white. After winning a championship in 2008 and redefining what it means to be a Celtic, Garnett and Pierce still love Boston and their "little brother" Rajon Rondo.

The familial bond that developed over the six years Rondo, KG and Pierce were together still runs as deep as ever. The Big Ticket, 37, and the 36 year old Truth have watched Rondo grow up since his earliest days in the league.

Garnett and Pierce discussed the compelling bond they share with their former teammate in an interview with the New York Post's Tim Bontemps:

"I mean, I expected him to be out there [Sunday] anyway," Pierce said smiling. "I mean, I thought he would be back a lot sooner than this week. Obviously, he's just taking his time, making sure he's 100 percent, which he should do, and I expect him to be out there anyway."

Garnett was thrilled to know Rondo will be on the court when the Nets come to town:

“Absolutely,” Garnett said when asked if Rondo being on the court will make his return to Boston mean even more. “That’s a little brother, man. We all grew together. When we grew, it wasn’t something we did minimally. We all gave all of ourselves to each other, and we grew in that. That connection, you grow with it through time, and it’s one of them connections that you look at as forever.

Garnett continued to explain that he "would do anything" for Rondo.

Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo are NBA champions. But perhaps more than that, they are warriors. They changed the culture of Celtic basketball, and demonstrated what it means to be a Celtic. Every night, the three would step onto the court not just as basketball players, but as brothers. A trio like that is timeless. They have forever forged themselves into Celtic lore.

Together, they've tenaciously fought through multiple finals appearances, experiencing both the winning and losing side.

Together, they've persevered beyond times of turmoil, enduring major injuries (including torn ACLs from Garnett, Perkins and Rondo) and unexpected departures (Ray Allen).

Together, they've defied the odds time and time again.

We've had the privilege of watching this rare family go to war together many times. Many believe that this group should've had more rings, and that the Celtics endured great misfortune during the Garnett-Pierce-Rondo era. In the end however, Boston was spoiled. Celtic fans were graced with an extraordinarily rare core to represent the city of Boston for years. In modern sports almost nothing lasts forever, but one thing is certain:

Garnett, Pierce and Rondo are brothers, and brothers are brothers forever.

Via: Jay King, MassLive.com

Related:

Kevin Garnett says Rondo on the court makes return to Garden even more special