NBA Finals 2010: For Rajon Rondo, It's Showtime!

Let's be honest here: Rajon Rondo is a star in the making.

Without him, the Celtics wouldn't be in tonight's position facing a take-all Game Seven.

This year, there has been a passing of the torch as Garnett, Pierce, and Allen realize how good Rondo can be.

He set a steals record averaging 2.3 per game and 9.8 assists per contest.

The Lakers don't have an answer for Rajon Rondo.

The only problem is that when he struggles, so do the rest of the Celtics.

He was terrible in Game Six, and if he plays like he did Tuesday night then the Celtics can forget about winning the title.

When the Celtics needed a big game from Rondo, he produced.

Game Four against Cleveland was Rondo's historic triple-double where he opened the eyes to many people about what type of player he is.

Game Two in Los Angeles opened with the hot-shooting of Ray Allen, but Rajon Rondo was the big closer and sealed the deal at the finish.

He is going to have to come out and set the tempo early.

The Celtics need to establish a lead in the beginning or else they are going to have a tough time coming back at the end of the game.

The Lakers play their best when they get a double-digit lead and just run the floor by extending their margin of victory.

But enough about the Lakers.

Rondo is yet to establish a jump-shot as a point-guard in the NBA, but he is only 24 years old. 

The sky is the limit for Rondo, but he is going to have to produce in the clutch tonight in L.A.

When Rondo has double digit assists, the Celtics are 8-1.

He runs the offense whether it is driving to the basket or dishing it to an open shooter on the wing.

His speed is where the Celtics transition game starts and is where they are most effective running the floor.

He needs to bring that intensity and passion tonight in order for the Celtics to overcome the obstacle they face with Perkins out of the lineup.

Rondo has been far from great this series, and that is in part why this all comes down to a Game Seven.

He has struggled shooting from the perimeter and has been awful from the free throw line.

All is forgiven if he comes up huge tonight and is able to lead the Celtics to a victory.

I have said before, and I will say it again, this series comes down to Rondo and the shooters versus Kobe and the Lakers big men.

Boston is at a severe disadvantage now without center Kendrick Perkins.

The battle on the boards just got a whole lot tougher.

That makes Rondo's ability to get inside and contest for rebounds that much more important.

It's as simple as that.

Rondo is a competitor and has been great throughout this season. He has been a leader on the floor and his impact has to be felt in a large way if the Celtics are to win tonight's game in Los Angeles.

His intangibles and agility are assets you don't see everyday.

The Lakers are going to come prepared like they were in Game Six to stop Rondo in his tracks.

He is going to have to be better than them in finding a way to break through it.

History will be made tonight, one way or another.

We might be saying tomorrow morning that the Rajon Rondo-era in Boston is in full swing.

Two years ago today, Boston lifted the trophy for the first time in twenty-two years.

A win tonight and this would be the Celtics second title in three years.

It's time for players like Rondo to come out and produce under the most pressure you can face in the NBA.

There's nothing that compares to an NBA Finals Game Seven on the road.