This is a frustrating time to be Rajon Rondo, and it clearly showed in another loss for the Boston Celtics, this time at home against the Indiana Pacers, with the point guard showing his full arsenal of being kind of annoying by interrupting a hi-five session for Paul George and then stopping Roy Hibbert from helping Jeff Green getting up.
Rondo is used to play with Hall of fame players like Garnett, Allen and Pierce. Now he’s on a team that pretty much everyone on it, including are him, are expendable, with the Celtics hoping that the right kind of spot in the draft can kickstart their way into a new era of success, and make this season easily forgettable.
How does Rondo feel about it? He didn’t seem too happy about the loss or any of the questions after the game, even though individually he seems to be finding consistency, finally, finishing with 12 points and 11 assists.
From ESPN Insider’s article about overrated and underrated players in the NBA, here is what one scout had to say about Rondo, appearing in the overrated column:
“Three years ago, I was the only scout saying Rondo is overrated, and I was crucified for it. I was saying he was awful. I think he’s a selfish player. He’s only going to pass it to you if he thinks he can get an assist. I’ve seen him come out for pregame warm-ups with his shoes untied, shooting lefty foul shots. For him to come out for a game with that attitude makes me question his work ethic. I’ve never liked his game. If you play with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen at close to their peak, they’re going to raise everyone’s game. Defensively, Rondo’s a bit of a gambler, and I don’t think his defense is all that. If I was starting a team and had my choice of any point guard, he would be 40th. I mean it. I’d take some backups before him.”
Rondo has three consecutive double doubles, and has five consecutive games of 10 assists or more. It’s not really helping the Celtics win more, and last weeks’ California story of not travelling to a game didn’t help make the situation between him and the team seem too chummy. And he wasn’t on the court as well, even though he has no business stopping other players on opposing team helping his own guys out, not to mention Green and Hibbert being Georgetown teammates.
Rondo has never been loved outside of Boston, and he doesn’t seem to care a lot about being a popular figure. His demeanor and the stories about him always point towards the arrogant, diva-like attitude. Maybe it’s true, maybe it’s not, but it doesn’t seem like playing without the pressure of succeeding and winning for at least one season is bringing out the best traits of his personality.