Rondo triple carries Boston
Rajon Rondo made it nineteen consecutive games recording double-digits in assists to lead the Boston Celtics over the Atlanta Hawks 88-86 in last night’s overtime win at the TD Garden.
After weeks of criticism and trade rumours at the turn of the year, Rondo has been in spectacular form, leading his Celtics side to a 19-7 record since the All-Star break – the best in the NBA.
As he marches his way to John Stockton’s league record of 29 straight games posting double-digits in assists, Rondo also touched on another record. Recording a stat line of 10-points, 20-assists and 10-rebounds, it was only the seventh in the NBA since 1986.
While Boston’s point-guard has been putting up extraordinary numbers on a nightly occasion, the help he’s received from a refreshed Kevin Garnett (17ppg, 8rpg in the last month) and Paul Pierce (21.9ppg, 7.1rpg in his last ten games) have aided the team’s turn around in form.
Not last night though.
With Paul Piece going 6-19 from the field, once again it was Rondo who was able to make the difference in the Celtics winning or losing.
“Listen, I know he’s on a run.” Boston coach Doc Rivers said after the win. “I know he’s playing very well but I don’t even need numbers to tell me that. He’s been spectacular, not only in games but everywhere, and that’s why we’re winning.”
While he’s best known for his passing ability, leading the league in assists with 11.4 per game, the work he’s put in, in shooting the ball has changed the way defences can guard him.
“The fact he’s trying to score to me is the most impressive.” Said Rivers. “Before he was just a facilitator, but the fact that he’s getting more assists is because he’s an aggressive scorer and teams can no longer play off of him to pass.”
With nineteen double-doubles this season and an improvement in scoring from last season (up from 10.6ppg to 12.2ppg) the work is clearly paying off.
As the days of the Big Three slowly grind to a halt, the rebuilding process will be a tough one and the Celtics know that the future of the franchise lies in the hands of their point-guard.
Whether or not Rondo’s efforts will be enough for the Celtics to make a strong playoff push, it’s hard to tell. With a core group of players that are all early-mid thirties (bar Rondo and Bass) the pressure will fall on Rondo’s shoulders once again.
Does he have what it takes to overtake a series in the fashion of a Kobe, ‘Melo or even Chris Paul? Doubtful, but in this lockout-shortened season it’s not all about stat lines. Often it comes down to the wins that are forged out of the will of a single player and Boston’s coach is well aware of Rondo’s game-changing effects.
“We need a locked in effort from him every night and he’s doing that.” Rivers said after the win. “That was growth tonight because it was a fatigue game, and there’s games like that when Rondo comes in and struggles, and tonight he willed that game.”
With only eight games left for the Celtics until the playoffs begin, the Big Three will likely be making their last push at a title together but more than ever, they will be looking to the Little One for inspiration.
