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Now that we all know that PG Rajon Rondo‘s time with the Dallas Mavericks is all but over, figuring out what has happened to the former NBA champion is all the rage. Clearly, Rondo wasn’t the same after the trade that sealed his departure from the Boston Celtics. With that being the case; let’s rewind back a few years.
In 2008, Rondo was just 22 years old, and was now teamed up with three future Hall of Famers in Boston: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Boston defeated the arch nemesis Los Angeles Lakers in the finals, and all was swell in Celtic land. But it wasn’t to last. The group ultimately dismantled, leaving a 27-year-old Rondo back on his own, and undergoing a rebuild.
It was thought that two of the most important pieces that remained of the franchise’s core would stay in place — head coach Doc Rivers and Rondo. But Rivers could read the tea leaves (which ultimately came to fruition this season).
It became clear that the Celtics were in need of undergoing a complete rebuild earlier this season. Thus, Rondo was ultimately traded to the Mavericks, yet the Celtics actually became a better team and went on to cement to No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Rondo was struggling to gel with his new teammates, and playing with Monta Ellis, who is the guy Dallas offense really runs through. This is something Rondo’s not used. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t work out.
Over time, rumors spread about whether or not Rondo would even re-sign with the Mavericks in free agency. He begins to argue and fall out of favor with HC Rick Carlisle, the only coach who has ever won the organization a title. The playoffs start, they go poorly, and here we are. Rondo has officially quit on the team, and is done for good in Dallas.
In other words: Rajon Rondo is what happened to Rajon Rondo. It’s all about circumstance. Rondo experienced incredible success at a young age on the court. He has a ton of money. He’s used to winning, and the situation he’s in currently, isn’t a fit. And he isn’t happy about it.
Clearly, Rondo shouldn’t have quit on his team: That’s not debatable. But to deem a guy with Rondo’s track record as “done” is outrageous and moronically shortsighted at best. The NBA, like every other major sport, is cyclical. Rondo hasn’t handled part one of the second half of his career well whatsoever, and probably was the party causing the majority of the problems in Dallas. But we all know he’s going to get another job. In the right scenario, and at 29 years old, the Mavericks’ experiment might just be an afterthought when his story is all said and done.
Timothy Downs is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can add him on Google or follow on Twitter @Tidow1212.
