Rajon Rondo Sets the Pace for the Boston Celtics Championship Dreams
Through out Rajon Rondos’ playoff career he has averaged double figures in scoring. His overall average of 14.1 points, 6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists a game seems pedestrian when compared with Derrick Rose, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
Yet he is the only one out of this heralded group of players you can call a true play-maker. He doesn't need to score big to make his team better.
You can put all talk to rest about Chris Paul having the edge over Rondo, because of all of his struggles throughout the regular season he steps up when the light is brightest. Rajon Rondo has already put his name in the Boston Celtics and NBA history book in the time of the season when you make your name in the playoffs.
Rondo is mentioned in the same breath as Magic Johnson when he dropped a triple double on the New York Knicks which included a 20-assist night. None off the elite points have done that; yet there is still doubt about the pureness of his game. A game that is made for understanding the pace and flow of any team he runs.
There is a certain truth to Knicks head coach Mike D' Antoni's comment on pondering how he would fair on the Minnesota Timberwolves. The diminutive guard would not have progressed as quickly; but you must also give him credit for his ability to think the game. That is what allows him of the peculiar game to flourish in unconventional ways.
He will pick a defense apart with his ability to get into the lanes and the ability to understand the angles to consistently find his teammates. Los Angeles Laker coach Phil Jackson grudgingly paid him the ultimate compliment the back-handedly compared him to Michael Jordan.
Just like the Detroit Pistons created the “Jordan Rules”, Phil Jackson created the blue print to contain Rajon. Jackson was baffled as to how a non-shooter could dominate the game so much thus the “Rondo Defense” was born sag off of him and dare him to shoot from the outside. This was probably something of a bitter pill to swallow for Phil to have to do that.
D'Antoni is probably still crying over the what-if game. What-if the Phoenix Suns had kept Rondo's draft rights; his theory about outscoring an opponent to a championship could have become a reality. As it stands now Knicks management is seeking ways to remove the stench of the defensive meltdown that aided Rondo's historic night.
He is mentioned with the likes of Oscar Robinson, Bob Cousy and Earvin "Magic" Johnson, yet all the accolades go to the sleek scoring points of the NBA. It doesn’t bother the Celtics one bit. Because when it is all said and done, Doc Rivers will not be benching Rajon Rondo like he did in 2008.
This fifth year point guard is the catalyst and the will and drive toward banner 18 and the Miami Heat know that to stop him is to stop the Boston Celtics.
