All aboard the Playoff Rajon Rondo train
By Dru Berry
After Game 2 in Boston, I came to one important realization: I’m all aboard the Rajon Rondo train. Let’s see where this journey takes us.
I once was lost from the Rajon Rondo bandwagon, but now am found.
It didn’t look good for Rondo after a rough start to the season that ultimately led to his benching, which, let’s just say he disagreed with.
At that point Rondo was painful to watch play. He looked completely disinterested in scoring and slacked regularly on defense. The “Three Alphas” lineup was failing predictably and it was time for a change.
Rondo’s insertion into the bench lineup fueled his renaissance and after being placed back into the starting lineup on March 13, there were signs of what we saw from Rondo in Game 2 against the Boston Celtics.
Rondo put up 18 points, nine rebounds and nine assists against the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, there was the classic Rondo game on national TV against LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, when Rondo finished with seven points, nine rebounds and 15 assists.
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During that span, Rondo showed signs of his old self in Boston. He became more aggressive in trying to score around the rim. While he still struggles to score around the rim and is liable to put up a layup that hits all glass, his increased willingness to at least attempt to score puts a little added pressure on the defense.
It all culminated Tuesday when Rondo had his fingerprints on anything and everything the Bulls did well. He finished the contest with 11 points, nine rebounds, 14 assists and five steals.
Oh, and a net rating of plus-24 for the game.
It’s so much fun to watch Rondo play when he’s engaged. Not many players can match Rondo’s basketball IQ and when he’s firing on all cylinders he sees the game one step ahead of everyone else — like Chris Paul.
Watching Rondo play locked-in defense is a treat. I’ll always remember Rondo most for his time in Boston as a fearless defender who wasn’t scared to guard anybody. The picture of him guarding LeBron — you know what one I’m talking about — is incredible and sums up Rondo as a player.
If Rondo keeps up his defensive intensity from Game 2 for the rest of the series, the Bulls will be in a good spot to advance. And who knows what happens from there.
Next: Robin Lopez is destroying the Celtics up front in this series
All I know is that after Game 2, I trust Rajon Rondo with my life.