"Rondo on the Rise"

Rajon Rondo had the best game of his young career last night(yes, against my "Giant Killers"), doing everything and anything he wanted to on the court. Finishing the game with his first ever career triple-double(16 points, 13 rebounds, 17 assists), and also adding 3 steals. He has been a subject of much scrutiny the past few years (especially last year), and has done nothing but live up to these high expectations.

When I talk to people about the "elite" point guards of the NBA it seems that Rondo is never in the discussion. I guess since the kid can't hit his three-point shot with any consistency he is out of the running as an "elite" point guard? As much as it hurts me to say it(he did pick apart my Lakers), Rajon Rondo is becoming a stud....plain and simple.

Not only is he averaging a career high in assists(7.7apg), rebounds(4.7rpg), and steals(2.2spg), but he is doing it with ease. Those are some phenomenal stats when you realize he is only playing about 31 minutes per game. Talk about efficiency. So many people these days don't realize what a point guard's main objective are: to run the team, get your shooters the ball, direct the offense, be the first back on defense, pressure the other teams ball-handler, and so many other things. It's not all about making long threes, throwing sweet alley-oops, and making flashy passes(which Rondo does plenty of). This kid does everything he needs to, and more, to make his team better and to win games. An NBA Championship caliber team tends not to have a "weak" player at it's most important position: point guard.

We could dwell deeper into the stats, and even farther into the more complex statistics like PER and PR36/PR40. You'd be surprised to find out he is currently ranked 7th on Hollinger's infamous "PER" ranking system for point guards, and realize he is only starting to play his best basketball recently. You can only go up from there. Another stat I find quite interesting is his TS%:.555(true shooting %). Most basketball fans I converse with are always knocking on Rondo's "weak" jumper, and saying that he is such a liability on offense. There are many arguments one could make, but I will keep it simple.

Offense is composed of a wide array of skills. These days people seem to think you have to shoot, and make, tons of threes and make flashy cross-over ankle breakers to be a great offensive player. The problem is this: it's just not true. Offense, especially for a guard, is about running plays, getting your team involved, being in the right spots, knowing when to pass/shoot/dribble/drive, hit open shots, set screens, and so many other things(I could go on for ages). Not only does Rondo do all these things well, he does them better than most of his competition. Not only does he run the offense and make the right plays at such a high rate, but he rarely turns the ball over. This kid has improved each year, in nearly every statistical category. Hell, he's even shooting over 51% from the field this year.

To all those fans who still think Rondo has a "weak" jump-shot.....take a look at this: In the 07-08 season Rondo hit 45.1% of his long two-pointers(shots between 15ft and the 3pt line). This shows his mid-range game is actually respectable. If that is the weakest part of his game, well, this kid must be freakishly great at everything else. Even us Laker fans can see this. As much as hit hurts me to be writing about how this young Celtics guard is one of the better guard in the league, it needs to be said, listened to, and understood.

Did I forget to mention this kid can get to the rim any time he so chooses, and that he's possibly the best defensive point-guard in the league?