MythBusting “The Rondo Effect”

3. Rajon Rondo is behind the New Orleans Pelicans three-point surge.

Similar to their offensive and defensive rating tweet, The Bird Writes also tweeted about the Pelicans improved three-point shooting since Rondo’s return:

Since the tweet, that number has increased by .2%, and the Pelicans sure have been on a roll from behind the arc. Despite Rondo being a non-three-point shooter, the notion that Rondo could be helping the Pels shoot the three is possible, as Rondo has historically been a great playmaker. And off of Rondo’s passes, the New Orleans Pelicans do shoot a terrific 44.2% from three.

Plus, looking at the on/off numbers through the entire year, the New Orleans Pelicans do shoot 41.2% from three with Rondo on the court, as opposed to 37% with him off of it. But once again, when adjusting to exclude before Rondo’s recovery, the Pels actually shoot 42% with him off the floor.

However, much like the offense in general, during Rondo’s last nine games, the Pels have been shooting an otherworldly 52.2% from three with Rondo on the floor, and 39.8% with him off the floor. Therefore, much like with the offense, it seems that in the past nine games, the premise would be true, but Rondo does not make much of a difference.

Outside of the on/off numbers, currently Rondo is shooting a career-high 37.8% from three, which could definitely decline. So perhaps his playmaking will not affect three-point shooting as much as it could if he himself were a good three-point shooter.

Verdict: Myth Plausible