The Emergence of Rajon Rondo

Only a few seasons ago, the Phoenix Suns drafted Rajon Rondo with the twenty-first overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft. Already having a strong point guard, he was immediately traded to the lowly Boston Celtics. The Celtics were back in the lottery one season after winning their division and the third seed in the playoffs. However, the 2006-2007 season was one of the more forgettable ones in the history of the franchise.

Following the horrible 2006-2007 season, there were multiple rumors of the Boston Celtics being dismantled. Rondo had a front-row view of all of this from the bench as the Celtics were one of the worst teams in the league. But, with the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to the core which was anchored by Paul Pierce, the Celtics went from worst to first. Being overlooked during his rookie season and most of his second season, Rondo was key in the playoffs.

The next season, the Boston Celtics dealt with injuries to each of their big three with Rondo being the only healthy player on the team. In the playoffs, with Kevin Garnett out and the rest of the team limited, Rondo emerged as a leader. But, for this season, fans hoped that it would be a return to business as usual. However, the 2009 playoffs were only a preview of what has become the team of Rajon Rondo.

Throughout the regular season, Rajon Rondo came through in big games against contenders in the East. Now, in the playoffs, he has been the main reason that the Celtics are still competing against a much better Cleveland Cavaliers team. Early in the run of the “Big Three,” there was talk of the pressure Rajon Rondo was feeling. Being on the court with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett would be rough for anyone.

Instead of shying away from the challenge, Rajon Rondo rose to become just as good, if not better than the “Big Three.” Last year, in the playoffs, Rondo was included in the “Big Three” while Garnett was out. For most of this season, the Celtics have been referred to as the “Big Four.” One thing is clear and that is the fact that Rajon Rondo is the future of the Boston Celtics.