Boston Celtics: Breaking Down How Rajon Rondo Will Carve Up the Heat

One game into the Celtics' Eastern Conference finals matchup with Miami and Rajon Rondo has some questions to answer.

Why didn't you play more aggressively in Game 1? How come you seemed so reluctant at times to force the tempo and attack? As a two-time, All-Defensive First Teamer, why are you gambling so much?

It's likely that only Rondo can answer these questions. He's been very inconsistent during this Celts playoff run and it really shows when Boston loses.

Still, Rondo has proved that he has the tools to take over whenever he sees fit. Even against the Heat.

If the Celtics are going to advance to the NBA Finals, Rondo is going to have to assert himself a lot more than he did in Game 1. Even the most casual observer knows that he's capable and that he can.

Here are a few ways for him to do just that.

1. Attack

Rondo is at his best when he doesn't spend too much time trying to read the opponent's defense and instead, simply goes straight for the jugular.

Certainly, the Celtics want to run their offense, get into a rhythm and get their multitude of shooters open looks. But the team's shooting has been so poor for three straight games now, the idea of Rondo doing a little bit more freelancing in an attempt to throw defenses out of whack makes a lot of sense.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers has gone so far as to point out that Rondo's basketball IQ (via ESPN) "hurts him at times. He's trying to read the defense but you can't read and play with speed at the same time."

When Rondo penetrates and draws defenders on his way to the rim, the entire Celtics offense opens up. Of course, it's incumbent on Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass and Ray Allen to make open shots, something none of them has done particularly well since Game 5 of the Philly series, whether those looks come from Rondo's penetration or any variety of set plays.

The way the Celtics have been shooting of late, it seems a no-brainer that Rondo should try a different tactic.

2. Be a Scorer

Rondo took 20 shots in the Game 1 loss, making eight and scoring 16 points. 

Generally, when Rondo shoots more, the Celts aren't as successful. But as Game 7 against the Sixers will remind us, Rondo is capable of taking over a game with his scoring.

Given how badly Allen and Bass have struggled with their shots over the past week, it may be necessary for Rondo to do just that. The Celts need to get points from somewhere; why not from Rondo?

If he makes Miami treat him like a scorer, whether it's by taking more of the wide open looks they allow him or again by being more aggressive in taking the ball to the basket, it will take a lot of pressure off of the Celtics' perimeter shooters. And it will also potentially open things up for Pierce and Kevin Garnett to get better, cleaner looks.

Rondo scored nine straight points after Pierce fouled out of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals, almost single-handedly carrying the C's to the win.

He can do it, as we've all seen. Now, he needs to do it more often.

3. Match Miami's Athleticism

The Heat blocked 11 shots in Game 1. That's just one example of how athletic they are as a team.

Rondo is athletic too, very much so.

One man can't match the athleticism of an entire team. But he can maybe take a chunk out of it.

Rondo is capable of doing so many things on the court, it's sometimes scary. He sees things most everyone else can't. He rebounds better than just about every other guard in the league. He's fast, cat quick and can jump out of the gym.

If the Celtics have a prayer in this series, Rondo must utilize that athleticism to its fullest. He's a matchup nightmare for the Heat because of what a unique skill set he has. 

He must take advantage of that mismatch.

4. Get to the Line

Despite those 20 shot attempts in Game 1, Rondo got to the line exactly zero times. This was only slightly less surprising than Pierce also not attempting a single free throw.

This falls in line with the idea that Rondo needs to attack more, but it still warrants mentioning. Even though he is a poor free-throw shooter, he has got to get to the line.

Maybe he'll make a few, like in Game 7 against Philly when he buried four straight late in the fourth quarter. Or maybe, he'll contribute to getting some Heat players in foul trouble. 

Either way, there's no excuse for someone with Rondo's penetrating skills to not attempt a single free throw in a game. Furthermore, when he gets to the rim, he needs to be more assertive and less fancy.

Rondo misses far too many layups and one reason why is because he often goes up looking to avoid contact rather than to draw it. It's not that he's soft; this is a guy who played two-and-a-half playoff games with a dislocated elbow last year. It's because he'd rather not go to the line, where he's a career 62 percent shooter.

Even if he only increases that number by a few percentage points, it would have a positive effect on the Celtics offense. And at this point, they'll take it.

5. Be a Leader

Of the Celtics' Big Four, Rondo is the baby. He's 26. And he's the future.

His issues with maturity and temperament are well-documented. But now, it's time for him to put all of that to rest and take ownership of this team.

The Celtics go as Rondo goes. Garnett may be the emotional leader and owner of one of the most outrageous plus/minus tidbits ever (the C's are minus-96 when KG sits in these playoffs). Pierce may be the captain and the all-time Celtic. But Rondo is the leader.

And now, he has to lead.

There is no more time for him to score five points and have two assists as he did in his first 32 minutes of Game 7 against the Sixers. He can't have another 4-of-14 shooting night with just six assists as he did in Game 6 against Philly. He has to step up more frequently and sit back far less.

What makes Rondo tick is anyone's guess. The fact that he can be as invisible as he's been during stretches of these playoffs when everyone in the arena knows what he can do is mind boggling.

That has to be over. The time is now. Rondo must take charge if the Celtics want to win. He can do it. Everyone who's paying attention knows he can.

If Rondo puts this Celtics team on his back, there's no telling what it may be able to accomplish.