When the Boston Celtics first assembled the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, they essentially told untested young point guard Rajon Rondo to just stay out of the way.Today, they are asking him to lead the way.
Rondo, 23, has progressed so rapidly and so impressively this season that he has gone from a role-playing afterthought in their championship run of 2008 to the key in their surprisingly-stubborn defense of a title in 2009.
"You could say my role has changed a little,'' Rondo said earlier this week. "People look to me more. I'm being asked, and expected, to do more. And I like that.''
After their thrilling best-of-seven triumph over Chicago in the first round of the NBA playoffs, they have regained the home court advantage in the second round against the Orlando Magic, set for a Game 5 showdown tonight in Boston. The series is tied at two.
More than anyone else – more than Pierce or Allen or Big Baby– Rondo has stepped up his game and made this possible, compensating for the loss of Garnett, who sustained a right knee injury in late February that essentially ended his season.
Much to everyone's wonder, Garnett's absence didn't end the Celtics season, or their hopes of back-to-back titles. While everyone seems to be waiting for a fade, they keep fighting it off.
The Celtics don't have that unbeatable look they often had last season when they won 66 games, but they have this we're-still-the-champs determination that is getting more impressive with each victory.
Rondo has keyed it, showing a versatility that even the stars in the NBA are admiring.
In 11 playoff games, he has averaged 18.3 points, 10.5 assists, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals, a statistical line the league hasn't seen since Magic Johnson in his prime with the Los Angeles Lakers. He already has tied the Boston franchise record with three triple-doubles in one postseason, matching Legendary Larry Bird.
He has gone from people wondering if a team can win a title with him as the point guard to the reason a team still has a chance to win a second one. It's no stretch to wonder if, in his third season, he is on his way to becoming the best point guard in the game. Chris Paul and Deron Williams and Chauncey Billups never have shown this kind of versatility under playoff pressure.
Every time Celtics coach Doc Rivers has asked him for more, he has delivered. He had 29 points Game 1 against Chicago. He had 19 assists in the triple-overtime loss in Game 6 against the Bulls. He had 14 rebounds Sunday night in the Game 4 victory in Orlando."He just keeps getting better and better,'' said Rivers. "He is playing at a speed that makes it happen for the whole team. We go as he goes.''
No other team in the league could have sustained the loss of their best player and maintained their push in the playoffs like the Celtics have. The Magic, without Dwight Howard, would have been lucky to make the playoffs. The Lakers, without Kobe Bryant, would have been home watching on television by now. The Cavaliers, without LeBron James, would be no better than the Sacramento Kings.
The Celtics, without Garnett, are two wins away from the Eastern Conference final.
"I feel responsible now when we don't play well. I take it personally,'' Rondo said. "I take our losses to heart. I beat myself up when things don't go well.''
While many players see their statistics drop at playoff time, when the games slow and become more physical. Rondo has seen his performance radically improve. He averaged 11.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 82 assists during the regular season.
He looks quicker, dominating both of the Magic point guards in this series. He looks tougher, never hesitating when he knocked Chicago's Kirk Hinrich into the scorer's table or when he blasted Bulls center Brad Miller as he was going for a layup. He looked fearless when he dunked over the head of Dwight Howard in Game 2.
"Every game is a big game now,'' Rondo said. "There's no guarantee you're going to play well every time, but if you give yourself a chance, that's all you can ask for. I want to give us a chance.''
Boston Celtics Photos
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics rebounds against the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rajon Rondo
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics shoots against Dwight Howard #12 and Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Allen;Dwight Howard;Rashard Lewis
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics shoots against Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kendrick Perkins;Rashard Lewis
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic takes the ball to the basket against Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard;Kendrick Perkins
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Kendrick Perkins #43 of the Boston Celtics shoots against Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kendrick Perkins;Rashard Lewis
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics tracks a rebound against the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rajon Rondo
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics is defended on his drive to the basket by Tony Battie #4 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Glen Davis;Tony Battie
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics rebounds against the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rajon Rondo
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics reaches for the ball after stripping Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rajon Rondo;Dwight Howard
NBAE/Getty Images
ORLANDO - MAY 10: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic rebounds against the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on May 10, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard
NBAE/Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Plus, he's just plain fun to watch.
You go Rondo. The Celtics may not win it all this year, but they keep it interesting. If Rondo and Allen start knocking it down, Big Baby will do his part.