Across 62 seasons, 17 NBA titles, and with names such as Russell, Bird, Cousy, and McHale in the rafters, it’s pretty difficult to carve out your own place in Boston Celtics history.
But here in the 2010 Playoffs, Rajon Rondo has emerged out from the shadow of “The Big Three” as not only the premiere player on this team, but perhaps stringing together a Celtics playoff run for the ages.
In Sunday’s 97-87 victory over the Cavaliers, Rondo led Boston with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists while playing 46:48 and only committing two personal fouls. It was a flawless display of game management by the fourth-year Kentucky native, with Rondo dissecting the Cleveland defense with surgeon-like accuracy.
From controlling the tempo in the half-court to catching his teammates on a fast break 60 feet away in full stride, Rondo didn’t just play nearly every minute of Game 4, he dominated it. If the Celtics wanted to stay alive in this series after getting blown out at home in Game 3, they simply had to have this victory. Now with the series all square heading back to Cleveland, Rondo will have a chance to continue writing the tale of his 2010 Playoffs.
This season has already been considered a break-out one for Rondo, he made his first All-Star team and was bumped up to the All-Defensive First Team after being named to the second team a season ago. But he knew he needed to continue his success in the postseason, with many critics writing off the Celtics’ playoff chances; citing the age and health of the team, particularly the Big Three, being primary concerns.
But if there is anything that Game 4 told us, it is that the Boston Celtics no longer rely on The Big Three. Foul trouble limited their production all day; Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett finished the game with 5 fouls apiece and Ray Allen fouled out. Allen and Garnett scored 18 points each, but Paul Pierce was limited to 9 points on just 3 for 8 shooting.
“They may be one of the older teams but Rondo is one of the youngest players in the playoffs,” LeBron James said after the game. “It doesn’t matter if those guys are running with him, he’s getting the ball up the floor.”
So now all of the attention has turned to the lanky, 6-1 24 year-old from Louisville. LeBron spoke after the game about possibly picking up Rondo on defense for Game 5. Sure, James’ size would eliminate the length advantage that Rondo utilizes over most point guards, but the implications of that move run deeper than defensive assignments.
It’s James (and the NBA) acknowledging that Rajon Rondo is the best player on the Boston Celtics right now. He demands the attention of the best player on the best team in the NBA, and now the regular season conference champions are stuck are fighting for their season in a brutal back-and-forth while Orlando cruises against the Hawks.
But Rondo may eventually be much more than the best player “right now.” His assist and steal totals in the regular season not only were among the tops in the NBA, but were THE best in Boston Celtics franchise history. Rondo is not just emerging on to the scene as a dominant player in the playoffs, but he is also crafting his tale as one of the premiere point guards in Boston Celtics history.
So when it comes time to start mentioning young players and their limitless potential, it’s time we stop ignoring Rajon Rondo. In his fourth year he has already written his name in the Celtics record books, drawn the concern of the reigning MVP, and brought an aging Boston roster back to life and back into this series.
Oh yeah, he is kind of fun to watch also.
