[CENTER]
[SIZE=1][I]Image Credit: Chris Nelson. Some rights reserved.[/I][/SIZE]
[/CENTER]
[I]
The New York Times’ [/I]Howard Beck says former Wildcat Rajon Rondo’s performance in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference series against Miami (44 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds), he’s solidified his presence in Boston for years to come:
[QUOTE] Rondo became a star because of his uncanny playmaking, his defense and his ability to control a game without scoring. He is brilliant driving to the basket, a whirling font of misdirection and creativity — a “basketball maestro,” as Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra called him this week. (Indeed, Spoelstra has nearly emptied his thesaurus finding ways to flatter Rondo. He has also called him a “brilliant playmaker” and “the most unique playmaker in the league.”)
The greatest knock on Rondo has been his erratic jump shot, which has allowed defenders to routinely back off him.
For one night, all conventional wisdom was forgotten. Of Rondo’s 16 makes (on 24 attempts), 10 were from 16 to 26 feet. Only five of his field goals were in the paint. Afterward, a gushing [LeBron] James gave Rondo the highest compliment, calling him “one of the superstars in this league.”
[/QUOTE]
Whether this performance is a harbinger of things to come or not is obviously unknown. What is obvious to me is that Rondo is one of the most cunning and clever point guards in the league. And his fundamental skills, already quite solid, continue to improve. So perhaps Beck is right. You can read his entire article [URL=”http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/sports/basketball/nba-playoffs-rajon-rondo-provides-vision-of-celtics-future.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20120601″]here [/URL]and judge for yourself. (Depending on how often you visit the [I]Times, [/I]you might find the story behind a pay wall.)
