MythBusting “The Rondo Effect”

1. The New Orleans Pelicans are better offensively with Rondo on the court.

On December 14, fellow Pelicans blog, The Bird Writes, tweeted a very interesting statistic about the Pelicans offensive performance since Rondo’s return:

Since the tweet, the Pelicans offensive rating has declined to 110.7 with Rondo, but the sentiment still stands: the Pelicans have gotten better offensively since Rondo’s comeback.

But the real question is: is Rondo behind it?

Looking at the basic on/off numbers, it sure looks like it. With Rondo on the floor, the New Orleans Pelicans have put up a 110.7 offensive rating. Off the floor, that number has decreased to just 106.6.

However, what is important to mention is that this is the Pelicans offensive rating with Rondo off the floor for the whole year, which includes before Rondo’s return.

If this number was to be adjusted to exclude time before Rondo’s recovery, it would be an identical 110.7, which means that Rondo is not really responsible for the Pels offensive surge.

But in fairness to those pro-Rondo, in the team’s past nine games, where Rondo has averaged a whopping 13.1/7.1/11.9 per 36 minutes, the New Orleans Pelicans have had a 117.8 offensive rating with Rondo on the floor, and a 107.8 offensive rating with him off the floor. A small sample size, definitely, but the stat might point to Rondo actually benefitting the team’s offense.

I cannot give this a confirmed verdict, as it all depends on whether or not Rondo keeps on playing as well as he has, which knowing him, is anything but set in stone. But, in the case that Rondo keeps playing well, it is definitely conceivable.

Verdict: Myth Plausible