Celtics Central

Some were saying before the playoffs started that Glen Davis was one who needed to prove himself.

Myself, I thought this was Rondo’s proving grounds. Everyone thinks Rondo is the cat’s pajamas. Prove it. For all of Rondo’s previous outstanding play, he had never had to carry an NBA team under pressure circumstances before, like say…the play-offs.

I thought he could do it. This was absolutely the time to give us Rondo Unchained. I’ve watched him play enough and talked to him enough to know he is as determined a young player as you can come across. I was on the Rajon Rondo train, but I’ll admit, I wasn’t the engineer up front.

I could see his potential for greatness, but I also saw the flaws, mistakes, and continuing development playing with three guys who can cover a myriad of errors and command a huge amount of attention themselves.

For example, getting caught on head down frenetic drives into the middle with absolutely no opening. Paul Pierce sees what is happening and floats to a spot at the sideline arc where Rondo can see him and pass the ball before it becomes a turnover. Pass and boom, a three pointer by Pierce shows up as an assist for Rondo. It should have been an assist by Pierce. But he can’t get an assist on a shot he takes. It doesn’t work that way.

Rondo has come a long way this season. He has stepped up to assume real leadership and has taken on all of the top point guards in the league. Like the challenger working his way up to a championship fight, Rondo has fought all the resume building fights he had to fight. His record is near perfect. He deserves a shot at the title.

He finished the regular season as the Celtics’ 4th leading scorer with 11.9 points, 6th in the NBA in assists at 8.2, 2nd in field goal percentage (50.5) by point guards, 4th in all guards, 5th in the NBA in steals (1.9), 3rd in the NBA in rebounds (5.2) by point guards. Only Chris Paul, Tony Parker, and perhaps Deron Williams has truly outshined him on the court. None are the defender that Rondo is.

With the decimated Celtic front court, led by the absence of the injured Kevin Garnett, this post season was finally the true litmus test of the 3rd year point guard that many have labeled as a top 5 guard.

Could he carry a heavy load in helping the Celtics win without Kevin Garnett and others?

After three games against Chicago, Rondo is looking very, very good. Inspirational, in fact. He has put up huge numbers and done it all with a sprained ankle.

The question coming out of the Bulls’ camp is, “How do you stop Rondo?” Derrick Rose, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich appear overmatched at this point. They simply cannot stay in front of the speedster. Interior bigs who can rotate over to seal off the relentlessly attacking guard have been too late.

Instead of using the circumstances and his injury as an excuse, he has used them as a springboard to greatness. If he continues this through out the playoffs, the size of his new contract goes through the roof.

Almost Averaging a Triple Double
When the team needed a defensive play, Rondo was there making a steal. When they have needed scoring, he has given them scoring at an eye opening level. Rajon is currently leading the Celtics, averaging 22.7 points per game, while averaging 10.7 rebounds, 9.7 assists, 4 steals. Yes, that is 22.7 points a game. From a guy who can’t shoot a jumpshot or hit foul shots – so it was thought.

He has made 2 of 4 three pointers and has hit some pressure foul shots, making 75% (12-16) in the playoffs, after only making 64.2% during the season.

Rondi is playing hard and with incredible energy on most every play. After a first game 36 point explosion by Derrick Rose, Rondo has helped keep him to 10, and 9 points on 9 of 25 shooting combined (36%), and 7, then 2 assists.

There is no one on the Celtics playing harder than Rondo nor with more spectacular results. And he’s done it all on a one deflated tire. He won’t tell you that. He will say it’s fine. It’s only the bottom of my foot. They taped it too tight.

Rondo is a gamer. Rondo will deal with the pain and swelling later. There is another game and another challenge. When the bell rings to start the fight, Rondo will tape up his ankle and be there.

I said that this Rondo Unchained, but doing it on a less than healthy wheel means he’s lost a little engine pressure in one cylinder. Seeing Rondo unleashed with a full blown engine operating at maximum capacity could be even better, believe it or not.

But make no mistake, stardom is occuring as we watch.