Rajon Rondo
Last year's stats: 11.9 ppg, 8.2 apg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 spg, fg% 50.5, ft% 64.2%
Projected Stats:
John: 13 ppg, 10.7 apg, 5.0 rpg, 2.5 spg, fg% 52.5, ft% 70.1
Chuck: 15 ppg, 9.2 apg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 spg, fg% 49, ft% 70%
What will help him the most?
John: The addition of Rasheed Wallace. Sheed can draw a big defender away from the paint and give Rondo more pace. When he gets into the middle of the lane, he'll either have an easy shot or multiple passing options as the defense collapses. So I see his scoring average going up a little to account for an extra easy lay up or two... but I see his assist average really going up as he finds guys in good spots.
Chuck: A couple of things. First, he's got a huge chip on his
shoulder. Remember the trade rumors and comments from Danny Ainge
saying Rondo hurt the team in the Orlando series? He's also playing for
a contract extension. Another year of experience also helps.
What will hurt him the most?
John: The added minutes it seems like he'll have to play. He's young, so he can handle the extra floor time... but he plays with such reckless abandon that I'm afraid the added minutes will be hard ones. The truth of the matter is that when Rondo is diving to the basket with a willingness to take contact and hit the deck, he's often having his best games. I'd like to keep him on the floor and out of the trainers room.
Chuck: It's possible everything I mentioned as a positive (the chip, contract) could hurt him if he tries to do too much. Fortunately, this team is loaded with veterans who will keep him in check. Like John said, I worry about the toll all those hard falls will take on his body. But I'm starting to think his joints are made of rubber.
Will he be an All Star?
John: Yes. He deserved to be an All Star last year. And we've seen appearances in the All Star game lag for about a year. This time around, if there's an open spot and he's on the cusp, he'll get the one he earned last year. And while the Celtics starting 5 is the same as it was a year ago, his main competition is facing new components. Mo Williams in Cleveland and Jameer Nelson in Orlando have major new pieces to get used to. Devin Harris has a new back-court mate in Courtney Lee that might take away from some of his success, too. So Rondo, with all those familiar pieces around him and more room to work his magic, seems poised to make a run at an All Star slot.
Chuck: No question, he will be an All Star. He caught everyone's attention with his spectacular play in the Chicago playoff series. If he puts up the numbers, he'll get the nod.
Burning question: Will he develop a consistent jumper?
John: It won't happen overnight, but I wouldn't be surprised if he starts flashing one this season. Most importantly, I feel like he'll start to confidently take the jumpers once guys start sagging off of him. He might not make them at first, but he'll start firing them with more confidence. And remember last season how for 80% of the season, everyone crapped on Big Baby for shooting jumpers? The most important thing is Rondo taking the jumpers at the right time. Eventually they'll fall. But his biggest problem was being too tentative. Once he gets past that, he'll be in good shape.
Chuck: Jump shooting will never be his strength, but I expect to see a slight improvement this season. I am not a big fan of the floater. I'd rather see him take open jump shots than drive into the lane and float the ball towards the rim.