Boston Celtics Are Better Without Rajon Rondo
By Kevin McHugh
@Mchughinthebean
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Since the trading of Rajon Rondo to the Dallas Mavericks, many have been convinced that the Boston Celtics are now in all-out tank mode. Rondo is a superb talent, however, he did not help his team in any substantial form.
Since the trade, the team has played with more desperation. On Tuesday, they nearly thwarted a 25-point deficit against the Orlando Magic. On Friday, they blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead against the Brooklyn Nets, but played with composure and almost pushed the game to overtime on a miss by Jared Sullinger on a Gerald Wallace Hail Mary pass.
There are plenty of teams in the league that could benefit from a player like Rondo. He is a player that plays best when he is in the spotlight. When he is playing in prime-time, the playoffs, or just a decent team, he plays his best basketball.
Take his numbers from the last time he was in the playoffs in the 2011-2012 season as an example. His averages in points per game sky-rocket from 11.9 in the regular season to 17.3 during the postseason.
This is not a case of “he’s just such a clutch player.” It is more of a case of he only gives it his all when it is all on the line. The Celtics, being a team that would not likely see the playoffs for years, is a team that Rondo would grow increasingly tired of as he would not be used to his full potential.
Rondo also has a very complicated personality. It is well known that he has butt heads with his teammates and coaches. His high-profile differences with Ray Allen could have had a lot to do with the three-point king’s departure.
The young coach Brad Stevens I’m sure was not pleased with the way Rajon carried himself at times, although he denounced such propositions publicly.
For the position the Celtics are in right now, they do not need a wet blanket such as Rondo on the team.
Kevin McHugh is a Boston Celtics writer for www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @MchughintheBean or add him to your network on Google.
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