Boston Celtic's Future Hinges on Return of Ubuntu and Rajon Rondo's Growth

It was little more than three weeks ago, the Boston Celtics were having a nosebleed considering how Philadelphia Sixers had a seemingly secure grip on the Atlantic Division lead.

To tell the truth, Boston had been beating itself up with Paul Pierce coming into the season out of shape and having to play himself into shape. Kevin Garnett moped about how it was unfair that preseason was only two weeks long. Even though he was in shape, the addition of new faces surrounding the "Big Four" made it impossible for KG's trademark intensity to have a major impact at the beginning of the season. 

Ray is Ray—a phenomenal shooter who can't give you much else. His defensive lapses are becoming more noticeable, and as I stated in my previous article on Mickael Pietrus: Ray should be transitioned ala John Havlicek into a sixth man. 

Considering the Celtics' calling card is defense, MP gives us more of this and is a decent enough shooter that it can only help.

Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo came into the season bigger, stronger and with an upgrade in his willingness to finally drive to the hoop in the fourth quarter and shoot elbow jumpers. Fast-forward to his two-game suspension prior to the All-Star break and perceived All-Star snub. 

The media started rehashing old news about his petulance, and everyone seemed to be drinking that oh-so-old Kool-Aid. Even though it was tinged with the wrong shade of green. All of a sudden, Rondo was considered a cancer that needed to be cut out of the fabric of the Green.

Anti-Rondo commentators, such as Comcast New England's Michael Felger, bristle with glee when espousing RR's shortcomings, inciting the "get rid of Rondo" rhetoric that seems to be bordering something akin to the Salem witch trials. Anyone who does not fit in their definition of normal was simply exorcised out of the community.

Let's face it, there is no other measuring stick as to how to quantify his game. He is unique in that no one else can mirror his skillset.

We all have a tendency to be drawn to the latest gadgets, mesmerized by the speed and agility. But, that only lasts for a while, after that new gadget must have substance.  What other guard brings such diversity to the position? Neither Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams nor Russell Westbrook can do that. 

You can make the argument that he is surrounded by future Hall of Famers. However, this only adds to his value because of the intangibles that experience alone give him and the Celtics a decided advantage.The other so-called top-tier guards pale in comparison in their decision-making because of the lack of this type of experience. They have to score and do not necessarily make their teammates better. Also, Rondo has been in more big games than any of them.

Rondo can control the game with more than his scoring. His teammates, coach and ownership see his experience and understand that they will never get true value for him. His historic triple-double against the Knicks on Sunday heightened the discussion on "Will he go or will he stay?"

  This is a difficult thing to do for the enigmatic Rondo. He enjoys the recognition for his skills; however, he doesn't like the media spotlight. This is something he continually struggles with and as long as the "Big Three" is there to cushion his fall (none too gently), his leadership skills will continue to develop.

Tuesday night's game against the Houston Rockets showed the return of "Ubuntu." After Rondo missed a game-winning layup and the Celtics had to grind out a win in overtime, the captain, Paul Pierce, was seen counseling Rondo on how it doesn't matter how many times you fail. What matters is that you get up after that failure. 

Yes, ubuntu is resurfacing as an integral part of Boston's future, and that future is in good hands with Rondo, Danny, PP ( for one more year) and Doc Rivers.