SLAM Online has a poll up today asking a simple question:
Who will average the most assists in the NBA this year?
The choices: Rajon Rondo, Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Deron Williams... and the only non-point guard... LeBron James.
LeBron was 6th in the league in assists last year. In fact, it went Nash (11), Paul (10.7), Williams (10.5), Rondo (9.8), Jason Kidd (9.1) and LeBron (8.6).
Rondo is currently tied with Nash for second in the voting. CP3 is first.
I'd give Rondo a strong chance at adding a couple of dimes to his numbers this year. First of all, KG is coming into the year healthier than last year. Secondly, Jermaine O'Neal is a better offensive player than Kendrick Perkins (sorry Perk, love ya... but stop bringing the ball down every time and then I'll change my mind). Third, the bench is a little bit better offensively... so bringing Von Wafer into the game won't hurt Rondo's chances of getting an extra assist here and there.
Rondo was basically one assist shy of the league lead... so we're only looking for one or two more finishes a game for him to be the leader. I don't see why that can't happen. I'll say something slightly over 11 is a good number for him this year.