Run Run Rondo

The Boston Celtics just ended the Knicks first postseason in a decade led by none of its guaranteed Hall of Famers.  When the playoffs roll into Boston, it never ceases to surprise everyone that the player with the biggest impact is not in the "Big Three."  Rajon Rondo just finished the series 19.0 ppg, 12.0, apg, and 7.4 rpg.  All three categories are up significantly from his season averages.  But looking forward, and not the next few weeks forward, how is this Celtics team going to look when it is Rondo's team.  Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said following the series ending loss, Rondo is a "very good basketball player" but attributes most of Rondo's success to the players around him.

It is a fair point.  How many times in NBA history have we had a player consistently producing triple doubles in the playoffs only to have the 5th or 6th (depending on your ability to remember Jermaine O'Neil before he died) best career on the team?  In a post Big Three world, Boston fans feel free to cover your ears and sing, what will Rondo's talents look like.  A potential starting line-up of Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Big Baby, and a Center to be named later.  That line-up doesn't exactly strike fear in the hearts of the Miami Heat or Oklahoma City Thunder.  Can Rondo consistently dish out assists at the same pace if there isn't anyone to make it?

Looking for precedence, the best Rondo can hope for is Steve Nash.  Steve Nash is universally recognized as one of the best point guards in the game.  He is not a big time point scorer, but he dishes out assists and runs the offense to perfection.  With Nash running the team, the Suns are always competitive, even in years when nobody expects it.  (see 2010 playoffs)  But there is one huge difference between Nash and Rondo,  Nash can shoot.  Nash is constantly flirting with the 50-40-90 club (FG%-3PT%-FT%).  Rondo likes to flirt with the 50-25-60 club. 

The worst case scenario for Rondo is Brandon Jennings.  In today's NBA, point guards are not jut fast or athletic or skilled, but they are all three. Derrick Rose, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, potentially John Wall with some more work, are all examples of how the position requires more than just a couple assets.  Brandon Jennings is just fast.  That is not to say that his skills won't allow him to drop 55 points, but he doesn't shoot a high percentage, and he can't survive in the lane.  If Rondo doesn't give a Derrick Rose like effort to improving his shooting, this is where he will end up. 

The most important "player" in determining how Rondo's career looks post-Big Three, Danny Ainge.  If Ainge can continually put talent around Rondo so Rondo can continually make most of his points in the paint and dish assists to the scorers, then we are watching another future Hall of Famer on a stacked Boston lineup.  If Rondo floats in a few years of mediocrity, well Mike D'Antoni may be right.