Rajon Rondo was once regarded as one of the best point guards in the NBA, but it’s safe to say those days are over with. Rondo has battled his fair share of injuries over the past injury, but I believe his biggest injury that he has yet to overcome is a bruised ego. Rondo seems as stubborn as it gets, and it even shows in his play on the court. Rondo is known to turn off teammates with his personality and it has been seen with coaches Doc Rivers and Rick Carlisle as well. Rondo the player was once a triple double machine and a menace on the defensive side of the ball. In today’s NBA, Rondo is out of place, because of two things. He can’t shoot and he doesn’t defend anymore.
Today, the NBA is all about spacing and shooting. It is quite obvious that you cannot create spacing with the lack of shooting and that is what happens when Rondo is on the floor. Being a ball-dominant point guard that can’t shoot at any level is a recipe for disaster. Rondo can’t shoot free throws, three-pointers, and his midrange game is suspect. Since coming off of his torn ACL, he has been robbed of his explosiveness that got him to the bucket at will as well as creating havoc on the defensive end.
Many thought that when Rondo arrived in Dallas it made them an instant contender. For those who know Rick Carlisle’s style it was evident it was a disaster from the start. Carlisle has done his best coaching jobs with point guards such as Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, and Chauncey Billups. All three of those guys are point guards that can defend, shoot, and make free throws. With Rondo running the show, it’s hard for the Mavs to be effective with the lack of him being a threat on the offensive side of the ball, because he lacks the ability to shoot free throws, mid-range shots, and three pointers. With Rondo on the court, teams can sag off of him and help on Monta Ellis, Chandler Parsons and Dirk Nowitzki as Rondo is wide open as teams dare him to shoot bricks.
Rondo is 29 years of age, and is entering free agency. With his skills declining and with him getting older it’s tough to see any team offering him a maximum contract. Some team will sign Rondo, but at what cost? It’s clear that the one-night stand with the Dallas Mavericks will be over with after the playoffs, and to be truthful it was over before it began. It’s been rumored that Rondo wants to play with the Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, and Kobe is a huge fan of Rondo, but if I am a Laker fan I stay far away.
The days of Rondo running the show getting triple doubles are far gone, and like his often used behind the back ball fake it has become old news to see Rondo whine and pout his way off of teams. This summer will be interesting to see what happens with Rondo, and like the nine summers before this one a lot hinges on the development of his jump shot. I am a betting man and history tends to repeat itself, with that said the lack of being able to shoot and transform his game may send Rondo into exile as a NBA star.
When people were high on Rondo, I always pointed to his lack of shooting as his down fall and like others (Rose and Westbrook) he didn’t work like them to develop some type of shot. He can’t eve hit over 60% from the line.. I just hope my Lakers don’t touch him this off season and I’ll be happy.