Predicting Basic Stat-Lines For All 5 New Orleans Pelicans Starters

Rajon Rondo

"2016-17 Season Stats (per ESPN.com) : PPG: 7.8 APG: 6.7 RPG: 5.1 Potential 2017-18 Season Stats: PPG: 8.3 APG: 11.0 RPG: 6.1"

To start off our list we have New Orleans’ biggest acquisition from the offseason in Rajon Rondo. While the point guard is fresh off a year filled with more low points than highs, there’s reason to be excited about this free agent addition.

As previously mentioned, Rondo’s lone season in Chicago was one that saw many ups and downs throughout. With pedestrian averages of 7.8 PPG, 6.7 APG and 5.1 RPG Rondo’s Bulls career was not necessarily one to write home about. That is, until the postseason come into play.

During Chicago’s first round matchup against the number-1 seeded Boston Celtics, Rondo tapped into his “old school” form. Within the first 2 contests the 6-1 guard managed to average 11.5 PPG, 10.0 APG and 8.5 RPG while mustering an early 2-0 series lead for the ‘Windy City’ against the heavily favored conference foe. Unfortunately for Chicago, Rondo broke his right thumb in the second half of game two, forcing him to miss the remainder of that series. In response Boston churned out 4 straight wins, shattering the hopes of any “underdog” story Chicago and its fans may have been preparing for after the early series lead.

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With the offseason came recovery time for Rondo’s injured thumb. With a successful recovery came interest from numerous franchises. And, with interest came the Pelicans.

Now, coming into the 2017-18 season, Rondo is tasked with leading an offense he claims possesses “two guys” that “are capable of being two of the best bigs to ever play this game as a duo” in Anthony Davis and a DeMarcus Cousins (per William Guillory). While it may be Rondo’s first opportunity to play alongside Anthony Davis, he and “Boogie” have some history together, having played alongside one another in Sacramento during the 2015-16 season. In that year, Rondo managed to take home his 3rd NBA Assists leader title while averaging a stellar 11.7 APG.

Coming to a team with a familiar face like Cousins and some other highly talented offensive weapons like Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday, it’s safe to say Rondo should bode well in the assists department this season.

However, with all these offensive studs surrounding Rondo it could spell for less scoring opportunities for himself. And if we’ve learned anything from watching this point guard play the past 11 years it’s that he’s totally ok with not being a featured scoring option. In fact, he’s excelled at exactly that, what with playing alongside scoring machines such as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen for a large chunk of his career.

Taking the backseat in the scoring department is A-ok with Rondo, just as long as he can help his teammate find a bucket.