Rajon Rondo has plenty of doubters, former Boston Celtics teammate Paul Pierce just isn’t one of them.
Entering his eighth NBA season, Rondo, like Pierce, finds himself in unfamiliar territory. The Truth is playing for a new team in a new city while Rondo is playing for a new team in the same city. That’s what the Celtics are really—a new team. Gone are the days when Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers did a majority of the heavy lifting. In come the nights when Rondo will be relied upon more than ever to carry the Celtics where they need to do.
Somewhat understandably, questions are being lodged into Rondo’s ability to shoulder the type of burden that was divvied up between him, Pierce, Rivers and Garnett for years. In part because he’s working his way back from a dicey ACL injury, and also partly because it is quite the onus for anyone to carry on their own. Mostly, though, we know Rondo, what he’s done and how mercurial a player he really is.
Although that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of guiding the Celtics on his own, it is cause for concern. Throwing balls at referees, untimely ejections, butting heads with Rivers and, when he was in Beantown, Ray Allen—where does it end? Rondo himself has even conceded he can be difficult to coach, when will that song cease to be played?
Now. Or rather, all talk of Rondo, the incapable leader, must desist now.
But that’s up to him. He has to make sure such conjecture is put to bed, that he can be seen as someone the Celtics can actually rebuild around. And per Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe Pierce believes he is that someone:
Without question [he can be the man in Boston]. I’ve already talked to Rajon; Rajon’s mature. People talk about the relationship with Doc [Rivers], and they probably had their best years over the last two years. So I don’t think that was a reason for Doc leaving. I’ve heard that, but that wasn’t a reason for Doc not coming back.
Rondo is one of the best players in the league. He’s a guy who can be the face of a franchise. He’s won a championship, he’s been an All-Star. There’s a lot of organizations who don’t even have a face of that caliber.
I definitely think he’s matured and can handle a lot. I talked to him and he’s ready for the challenge. He knows that it’s his team. He knows he has to be a leader, and from being around me and Kevin [Garnett] and seeing how we work.
Few things about Rondo’s game can be doubted. His jumper remains an area of concern and sometimes his decision making leaves much to be desired, but Pierce is right, he’s one of the best players in the league. Given how talented he is, constructing a roster around him should consist of nothing save for easy decisions.
Until proven otherwise, it doesn’t.
Past transgressions won’t be forgotten immediately. Boston has been waiting a couple years for Rondo to take control like leaders, like great players do. Thus far, he hasn’t. Playing alongside Garnett and Pierce for more than a half-decade definitely played a role in his tapered emergence, but those safety nets are now gone. As is Rivers.
Finally, Rondo is the man in Boston. He’s playing for rookie coach Brad Stevens, who will look to him to lead the team, who will look to him for answers. Which leaves the Celtics right where they’ve been all along—hoping that Pierce is right. Hoping that this is the season Rondo yields more answers than he does questions.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
