HoopsVibe

Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics has inked a deal for 5 years making him about $55 million richer. Congratulations Rondo. He earned it. Many people, outside of Boston, are questioning whether Rondo’s play is worth this much. The general tone from basketball junkies is that the Celtics overpaid and locked him up for too many years. Rondo fans theorize that if he waited until the offseason then a bigger payday would have been within reach. Regardless of either stance, Rondo got his. This kid was almost AVERAGING a triple double in the 2009 playoffs showing flashes of Magic, Kidd, and Oscar Robertson. He’s off to a fast start to this season averaging (through 5 games) 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 10.4 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Rondo got his money. That’s a definite positive, but with all things, there is a negative to this madness; something that I can’t quite grasp.

There is a lot of hate for Rajon Rondo. This doesn’t include his biggest hater, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.

What is it about him that people despise? Is it because he has the swag of a leprechaun? Is it because Rondo picks fights with Rafer Alston, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, and Kirk Hinrich? You don’t like his Inferiority complex? Or is it because he acts hard knowing that Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Rasheed Wallace will back him up? How is Rondo’s play not worth the money? Bill Duffy, his agent can easily say, “Well, Ben Gordon signed a 5 year $55 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. He’s one dimensional and he got that loot. My client is multi-dimensional and can play good defense. At any given night, Rajon can put a triple double like Jason Kidd. Ben Gordon cannot do that.” With that perspective, Rondo’s play is worth more than $55 million don’t you think?

Towards the end of his rookie campaign, Rondo was putting up 10/5/5 games before Garnett and Ray Allen were on the team. During last year’s playoffs, he nearly averaged a triple double with 16.9 points, 9.7 rebounds and 9.8 assists. In game 6 against the Chicago Bulls, the kid amassed 19 assists without turning the ball over once! In the playoffs! In February 12, 2009 against the Dallas Mavericks, the numbers were amazing: 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 14 assists. He did that while playing with the Big 3. Currently, Rondo is getting more consistent at putting up these types of statistics. That’s just fucking disgusting. So what’s up with the hate lately?

The argument of him benefiting from the Big 3 is laughable. Please remember that this is a team game. Of course Rondo will enjoy their Hall of Fame talent. Duh! That’s a given. Some of you claim that his numbers are inflated because the kid is playing with those dudes. Excuse me, but Rajon has to battle for rebounds against Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Kendrick Perkins, and the other team. “But he doesn’t score like Tony Parker, Chris Paul, and D-Wills.” So? Why does he need to? There are enough scorers on the team. On nights when the Big 3 doesn’t have it then Rondo will do his thing. No problem. He already proved that. What’s the big deal?

“Okay, take out the Big 3. Rondo wouldn’t be racking up assists like that.”

Excuse me. He will. He definitely will. Rondo has the vision to get people the ball. During the 2009 playoffs, without Kevin Garnett and an injury riddled roster, dude was racking up assists like popcorn. We all witnessed this. Scorers will be scorers no matter what team it is. The assists will be there as long as the consistency, unselfishness, and vision stay there. If this kid ever developed a consistent jumper then that would be game over for the entire NBA. This is the major flaw of his game just like Jason Kidd, but his slashing ability makes up for that.

“Hey man. Any PG can go to the Celtics and put up better numbers.”

Say what? Shut the hell up. Better numbers? Not many point guards can rebound like Rondo. You’re talking about better numbers? The kid is already producing triple doubles. How can a point guard obtain better numbers while playing with legends? If anything, the Big 3 is holding down the statistics except for assists and steals. Put Rondo on another team and his performance goes through the roof since he would have to shoulder more of the responsibility. Scorers will score no matter what their name is so his assists will hover around 10-13.

In my eyes, Rajon Rondo is flirting to be a top 5 point guard. Here is my list of the people ahead:

• Chris Paul
  
• Deron Williams
  
• Steve Nash
  
• Tony Parker  
• Chauncey Billups

Rajon Rondo would be my number 6. Gilbert Arenas would have been in my top 5, but he hasn’t been durable the past 2 seasons. Derrick Rose is NOT better than Rondo right now. No way. He’s nowhere near Rondo defensively and has not put up triple doubles. Rose will be better than Rondo eventually, but not right now.

Why Boston lock him up for so many years? It’s time to lock up the young guns. Garnett, Pierce, and Ray Allen are about to retire in a couple of seasons. He will have to take over. His skills warrant the money and the future of the Boston Celtics relies on him. Rondo is 23 years young and has tons of playoff experience.

What do you think? Is he a top 5 point guard? Was he worth the money?

[image:http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitaldustin/2326705266/]