In 2008, a fresh-faced, young Rajon Rondo was one of the key - albeit secondary - pieces to an eventual NBA champion team that just happened to be one of the most historic franchises in league history. Today, he is a key piece to another historic franchise, a current west coast incarnation that has a chance to win a championship.
The irony of Rondo winning a championship as a member of the Boston Celtics and then years later playing for their biggest rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, on a team with clear title aspirations is something I don't think he would have even envisioned all those years ago.
Here he is, though, 33 years old, not an All-Star anymore, but a wise veteran on a team that needs his presence. While he has been maligned most of the year by fans and critics for his play - a questionable fit alongside LeBron James, perhaps? - the version of Rondo on display last night against the Phoenix Suns was evidence of why he is a big part of their team, and why that is what they will need in big moments going forward.
As stated above, critics of the Lakers and fans have clamored all year, on social media mostly, that Rondo's minutes should be sliced by guys like Alex Caruso or Quinn Cook. Sign Darren Collison out of retirement, they said. To steal a line from Rick Pitino though, Darren Collison isn't walking through that door. Last night, Rondo showed why they could do without all of the above three options.
Aggressive from the jump, Rondo was great, going for 23 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds in 27 minutes in a 125-100 Laker win. Rondo is at his best with the ball in his hands directing traffic, keeping his dribble alive to find open teammates, attacking the basket when there is a lane, and confidently shooting the basketball. He scored 15 alone in the second quarter, including a stretch of 7 straight Laker points. When he had the open three - of which he hit on 4 of 5 attempts - he took, and when there was a gap in the defense, he penetrated and finished off the glass. He also remains masterful at finding open teammates, keeping his dribble alive to keep plays alive, allowing his teammates to get in the right spot where he can get them the ball. He was able to get Kyle Kuzma and Danny Green open looks from three, and found Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard on lobs and on the interior. Breaking down the defense with his hard dribble is another facet that he is solid at, dishing off when he draws the defense toward him.
Rondo's season averages - 7.9 points, 5.4 assists, 3.4 rebounds in 21.2 minutes (he's started 2 games) - aren't eye-popping by any stretch, but his value as a high-IQ veteran who knows where his teammates need to be and knows where to get them the ball cannot be overstated. Cook is a shooting upgrade, and Collison would have been a scoring upgrade. There are rumors that the Lakers are targeting and may get J.R. Smith or Dion Waiters, two guys who would definitely help them. Last night though, Rondo showed what he can do when he is on, and why the moniker of "Playoff Rondo" has stuck for the last few years. When he gets minutes and gets the opportunities, he is still very solid. He is, after all, a ring-toting guy who knows the magnitude of big moments and has plenty playoff experience.
Rondo was in that similar, retro mode last night, and he showed just what he can do when he needs to, and why he can be such a big part of what hopes to be a team that hoists the Larry O'Brien Trophy at some point in June.
Comments