It's about time this deal got done! He left for the NBA as a sophomore averaging 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game at Kentucky.
Did I mention he played the point? Did I also mention that Celtics GM, Danny Ainge, traded a first-round pick and Bryan Grant just to trade up and draft him? Oh yeah, I failed to say that in only his second year in the NBA he led a savvy group of veterans to the NBA title? And in his third-year in the league, with his team looking to him for leadership, he averaged a triple-double in the historic first-round match-up against the Bulls.
If Rajon Rondo is this dynamic of a player, then why did it come down to the deadline to re-sign him? Maturation. There's little doubt in the eyes of Ainge and Celtics' coach Doc Rivers when they watch Rondo on the court. But it's his off-the-court issues that had their eyebrows raised.
His immaturity (Rondo is 23), his sometimes aloof personality, and an inability to develop friendships with teammates were all alarming question marks to the Celtics' front office. That possibly were the reasons why Ainge dangled Rondo on the trade market over the summer. Rivers have since gone out to say that the C's never had any intentions to trade Rondo. It was simply to give him a wake-up call. When the report came out about the possible trade accusations Rivers sat down with Rondo to get his head straight.
"Do you know your teammates hate playing with you? ... The point guard has to be the guy that brings energy to the team. You can't be the guy that sucks it away. Your moodiness is affecting us. Change it."
And in the short start of the NBA season, Rondo has shown his maturity. Staying back on defense and not taking risks to get the steal. Taking that mid-range jumper when he has the opening. I've even seen him joking with teammates on the bench. Hopefully the message has been sent.
No comments:
Post a Comment