NBA: Boston Celtics' Rajon Rondo Takes a Back Seat to Steve Nash, Derrick Rose
At 37 years of age, Nash led the NBA in assistsโagain.
This is the fifth time in seven years. This year, he's outpaced the self-proclaimed "best" PG,ย Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics.
Before the season started, Rajon Rondo said,ย โIโm the best, hands down. Thereโs no speculation. Not top three or top five; Iโm the best.โย
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For a guy who can't hit a shot outside of eight feet, those are big words. Especially since he now has to swallow them.ย
But he is right about not being "top three or top five." In fact, he would barely make the top ten.ย
It could easily be argued that Rondoโs success in the NBA is mostly attributed to the fact that he plays with three future Hall of Famers: Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnettย (four if you count Shaq).
Can you imagine what Rondo would do (or wouldnโt do) if he played for any other team in the NBA?
He shot a terrible 23 percent from three-point range, and a career lowย 56 percent from the free-throw line. (And remember, almost all of those are uncontested. No one guards him outside of the paint, and free-throws are just that: free).
That's the same percentage as Celtic teammate, and notoriously awful free-throw shooter,ย Shaquille O'Neal.
I think the Big Shamrock is rubbing off on Rondoโand I'm not talking about the luck of the Irish.ย
Itโs almost unbearable to watch Rondo penetrate into the lane, have an open layup or floater, and pass the ball out to a guarded Kevin Garnett (of all people), who then has to shoot a contested 21-footer.
It hurts my eyes to watch Rondo take an open, uncontested 15-footer and clank it off the back ironโ
Over and over and over again.
Rajon Rondo is young, talented, and overrated, but he has plenty of time to improve. And he NEEDS to improve.
Especially since Derrick Rose has leaped well ahead of him in the PG rankings.ย
More on the NBA:ย
Phoenix Suns: Nicknames for the NBA's Best Point Guard Steve Nash
Orlando Magic'sย Dwight Howard: The NBA's Real MVP of 2010-2011
