Rajon Rondo has broken his hand in a fashion only a Knickerbocker could normally achieve. The “uncoachable” Boston Celtics All-Star point guard slipped in the shower and will be out 6-8 weeks, voiding all chance of the Celtics trading Rondo before the season, or making any progress toward being an eventual playoff-bound team in 2014-15.

This will also affect first-round pick Marcus Smart, now probably thrust into the starting job too soon, and whose probable failure will potentially kill his psyche. On the bright side for Rondo, he can now focus on the Connect 4 elementary school charity circuit (you HAVE to read this story!).

But as for the Celtics, their season has slipped, fallen, and can’t get up.