The 2010-2011 NBA season may go down as the Year of Change for me. The Cavs are no longer my pick to represent the East in the Finals, LeBron is no longer my favorite player and Allen Iverson has officially become irrelevant. There is one thing however that I thought would never change..my dislike of Rajon Rondo. In just week one of this season he has managed to change an opinion that I have held since he was a rookie coming out of the University of Kentucky.
Rondo was placed in a great situation to succeed early in his career. He was the beneficiary of the perfect storm in which he would run the point for the Big Three of Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen in their first season. Sure he was the starting point guard for the NBA Champion Celtics in only his second year in the league, but with three future Hall of Famers on the squad Teen Wolf could have played point guard. His trademark “fake” behind the back pass gets an Ohh and Ahh every now and then, but how long can a move suitable for the Globetrotters season opener be used as a primary weapon in the NBA? Not too mention he couldn’t make the cut on a USA Basketball team this summer that was begging for leadership at the point guard position after Jason Kidd’s retirement from international play. And on a personal note he’s renowned roller skater. That doesn’t quite make him as cool as Chris Paul or Derrick Rose. Hell even Steve Nash, the soccer sensation, seems cooler. With all of this being said Rondo has proven that the old saying holds even against my hard nosed opinion.. As long as you perform well nothing else matters. And he has done just that since October 29,2010.
Three games into the season Rajon Rondo is averaging 10 ppg, 6 rebounds, and an astounding 16.7 assist. His fifty assist thus far is tied for first in NBA history with John Stockton for most assist in the first three games of the NBA season. His shining moment came in a 105-101 win against the Knicks in which he dropped ten points, nabbed ten rebounds and racked up a Magic Johnson-esque 24 assists. The Big Three that once carried him to an NBA Championship is now three years older and putting the weight on Rondo’s shoulders. To add icing to the cake, after achieving the triple-double, Rondo spent most of his post game interview discussing how he had to correct the seven turnovers he had during the game. Even I had to forget about the roller skates and take back my Teen Wolf comment.
So three games in, Rondo has my utmost respect. He’s proven that he can play his roll as well as be the leader. He’s gained the confidence of the most veteran squad in the NBA and proves that he deserves it on a nightly basis with his decision making. Rajon Rondo has forced me to write my editorial apology to all Celtics fans. What a way to bring in the Year of Change. Maybe after 82 games he will transition from earning my respect to earning my vote as one of the games elite point guards for years to come.
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