First I want to say that Rajon Rondo and I had a difficult relationship, to say the least when the Los Angeles Lakers first signed the future point guard of the Hall of Fame, many people were taken aback by the choice to pair LeBron James with a non-shooter PG
Many thought that matching Rondo with LeBron required cutting the court for LeBron to operate. Then the regular season did come and Rondo was a responsibility on the pitch on both sides
Laker fans around the world couldn’t imagine Luke Walton starting Rondo on Lonzo Ball when the latter needed development minutes on the pitch Eventually the season was ruined due to the injuries of every player and the Lakers missed the playoffs
Rondo has built a reputation as a playoff performer, so last season was a waste to see what Rajon Rondo could bring to a championship team so when the Lakers traded for Anthony Davis and as the news started to appear that Davis wanted Rondo to return because of their chemistry, it felt like a rerun episode from last season with Rondo now taking a few minutes from Caruso.
The season started off with mediocre play from Rondo at both ends of the floor again, with Vogel continuing to play the mercurial point guard over Caruso, who would have an instant impact as soon as he hit the ground.
Throughout the season, I have personally written articles about how Caruso needs to play more and the Lakers have a problem with Rajon Rondo Everyone has heard of the Rondo playoff myth but I never believed in it
So when the NBA decided to restart in the bubble and Rondo was diagnosed with a hand injury that would keep him out until the second round of the playoffs, it looked like the Lakers would finally be released from Rondo
As the Lakers sent the Blazers in five, it only confirmed what I thought about not needing Rondo and playing Caruso every minute of his Then the Rockets series came along and Vogel played Rondo most of the second half as the Lakers lost in double digits
Rondo hadn’t played a single NBA minute in months, but was somehow on the floor of a WCSF for 25 minutes, getting beaten by dribbling and committing turnovers reckless
My biggest fear was actualized as the downfall of this roster to championship level was going to be because of the respect Rondo garnishes with LeBron, AD and Vogel Game 2 begins and Rondo shuts me and everyone who doubted him with 10 points and 9 assists with a three clutch to sprinkle in a statement victory
Then in Game 3, I realized Playoff Rondo was completely real as Rajon lost 21 points and 9 of 8 assists for 11 shots and 3 for 5 of three, not to mention the defense of elite on Harden
Each of the three was a backbreaker for Houston as they would gladly give Rondo space to shoot, but they would just keep going. Since that game, Rondo has been absolutely amazing on both sides of the ball, while controlling the pace of the game, freeing LeBron from these tasks so Bron can focus only on the score
Then the NBA Finals came and Rondo lost the first double-double from the bench in a playoff game since Manu Ginobli – totaling 16 points and 10 assists on 5 from 9 shots and 3 for 4 from three
That said, I come here to apologize for doubting a future Hall of Famer and one of the best playmakers of this generation Clearly there was a method to Rondo’s madness and I didn’t haven’t seen him so far and I would be more than happy to take him back for another season for his efforts this year I’m sorry, Rajon Rondo
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World News – United States – Los Angeles Lakers: A personal apology to Rajon rondo
