Nothing To Prove, But Rondo Can Silence Critics
BOSTON (CBS) – Rajon Rondo mystifies nearly everyone.
The Celtics point guard wow the crowd and teammates alike with his uncanny passing and court vision, but just as soon leave them wondering what the heck he was thinking for losing his cool on the court.
His short and sometimes one-word answers with the media – Mike Gorman called it 'shyness' on Toucher & Rich Friday morning - leads to the belief that he is arrogant.
But one thing is certain: when the spotlight is on, Rondo shines brighter.
That spotlight will be shining in Friday night's Game 3 with the Atlanta Hawks at the Garden. Rondo returns from his Game 2 suspension for his chest bump on ref Marc Davis in Game 1. He told reporters on Thursday he has nothing to prove, and he is, in a way, correct. He's come up big in the playoffs before, single-handedly led his team to victories, and indeed has made those around him better.
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But the simple fact remains that Rondo left his team shorthanded on Tuesday, and he knows it. Yes, they won –which he said was all that matters – but Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett each logged 40-plus minutes in the hard-fought victory. He thanked his teammates after the win, and even apologized for his actions.
Now it's up to him to take over the team that Garnett has already termed Rondo's, and put together one of his patented nationally televised games (even though it will only be seen by Celtics fans and however many Hawks fans actually watch the games). The Celtics have a chance to take over the series and all but crush any hopes the Hawks have to advance by taking the next two games in Boston. And after losing his cool in Game 1, Rondo should make a point to dominate Game 3.
With the Celtics winning Game 2, there is the thought that they can win without Rondo as long as Pierce and Garnett are in, but not the other way around. However true that may be, such talk could just drive the motivation-seeker. Because while he doesn't bring the scoring of Pierce or the ferocious defense of Garnett, he is still a very important part of the Celtics' success. In some cases, he is the key.
Game 2 was not without its deficiencies for Boston. The team looked sloppy in the middle portion of the game, allowed Atlanta's point guard Jeff Teague to run all over the place to the tune of 18 points, and the ball movement was not nearly what it usually is - with just 14 assists on 29 baskets. Rondo can change all that, if he wants to.
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And why wouldn't he? It's the playoffs. Three years ago, Rondo and Derrick Rose went head-to-head in one of the most entertaining first-round matchups in recent history. Last year, Rondo played with one arm against the Heat (albeit, it didn't really work out all that well in the end). There should be no need for added motivation this time of the year.
But for the enigma that is Rajon Rondo, that appears to be the case. He's gone about his way trying to prove doubters wrong since emerging as the starting point guard in 2008, working on a jump shot that once rivaled a kid's that was just getting into the game, and attacking the basket more like everyone wants him to.
Now, some don't think the Celtics need Rondo to win. Prove them wrong. Show that you are ready to take over the team and dominate the Hawks for the rest of the series, propelling the Celtics to a matchup with either the Bulls or 76ers.
Sure, it's only the first round of the playoffs and great players are not made in the first round. The Celtics should win this series. Rajon Rondo should be one of the driving forces behind that.
Will he be? That is up to him.
But with many feeling a little sour towards the young and talented guard, it's the perfect time to prove everyone wrong once again.
