The Resurgence of Rajon Rondo

At a time where “score first” point guards dominate the NBA, it’s hard to appreciate a floor general that only average 12.7 points a game. But when those 13 points come with stifling defense and 10 assist a game, Rajon Rondo may be playing his way back into elite status this season. With 4 triple-doubles in his last 9 games for a struggling Kings team, it will be hard to find another player in the league putting out as much effort on the court as Rondo is this season.

Last year was a season of turmoil for the 4-time all-star as he started the season as a Boston Celtic under heavy trade speculation. The Celtics were rebuilding, which included drafting point guard Marcus Smart with their top-10 pick in the draft. Despite the rumors and the Celtics drafting his replacement, Rondo still managed to lead the NBA in assist while recording 7 double-doubles in the first 22 games of the season. After a 13 point, 15 assist, 7 rebound and 2 steal game against the Magic, Boston trades Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks for 3 expiring contracts and 2 draft picks; strengthening the Celtics rebuilding effort while giving Rondo a chance of scenery.

Before coming to Dallas the Mavs were 19-8 and rolling. With Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons playing at a high level, adding the league leader in assist had plenty analyst picking Dallas to win the western conference. Dallas weaknesses at the time were defending the explosive scoring point guards in the west and ball movement in the half court set. Added Rondo would cure both problems but unfortunately this trade did not work out as planned. Strife between Rondo and Coach Rick Carlisle over play-calling responsibilities was just the beginning of the rocky relationship between Rajon and the Mavericks. Teammates questioned his effort on the court which resulted in less playing time and eventually being left off the active roster for the 1^st round of the 2015 playoffs.

The entire league took notice of the situation in Dallas and labeled Rondo has a player that would be detrimental to any locker room and with assist average dropping from 10 to 6 a night, most General Managers did not see the point in signing a troubled player that’s passed his prime.

The Sacramento Kings are in the basement in the western conference. With an emerging superstar in DeMarcus Cousins, a talented wing in Rudy Gay and 1^st year coach George Karl the future is beginning to shape up for a team that hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2006. The Kings took a chance and signed Rondo to a 1-year $9.5 million dollar deal with hopes that he can rekindle his Celtic days. This season Rondo is 1st among point guards in rebounds per game (7.6), leads the league in assist per game (10.8), 5th in the NBA in steals per game (2.13) and number one in the league in triple-doubles (4). With these numbers, Rajon can be in the conversation as one of the top 5 best point guards in the league today. 

Throughout all the conflict he has had in the past with coaches and teammates, Rondo still finds a way to be extremely productive on the court. In a time of high flying, high scoring point guards, we should appreciate the scrappy point guards who just wants to make everybody around them a better basketball player.