If Rondo is not named in the game's elite after last night's NBA Jam stat line performance, I do not know what else he has to do. Rondo tallied his 11th triple-double of his career with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 22 assists, yes 22 assists! He came two assists short of his previous career high of 24 recorded earlier this year versus the Knicks and is still six assists away (28) for the Celtics franchise record held by Bob Cousy.
Rajon Rondo has missed games due to numerous injuries and you can tell the team does not gel when he is not quarterbacking the them. Rondo has instincts that no other play has in the NBA. Sure, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Derrick Rose are among the best in the game, but Rondo has to be the best right now. He has the Celtics at 27-7 and in first place in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics go as Rondo goes. This guy needs to be healthy because if he can put up a stat line as he did versus the best team in the league, it will be scary for opponents playing the Celtics leading to their championship run.
In my opinion Rajon Rondo is the most valuable player on this team. I know we cannot win a championship without Kevin Garnett because he is the heart and soul of the defense, but there is no possible way that the Celtics win a championship without Rajon Rondo. He has intangibles that no other players have. His quickness and matchup versus any other point guard in the league is usually a plus for the Celtics.
The Celtics need to rest Rondo if he is hurting, but by the looks of last night Rondo looks back to normal. The team is in rhythm. Look for this team to not make the mistake of being rewarded home court advantage throughout the playoffs.
Could you say he's our best player and Garnett our most valuable? It's proved that defense and big men win championships, not point guards. I would agree, though, that nothing the Big 3 do night-in night-out doesn't originate from Rondo's uncanny speed, skill, and IQ. Good stuff Cherries. He's going to continue to find those guys all year. Think he averages 15?
ReplyDelete