New Orleans Pelicans: Rajon Rondo might have found a home in NOLA
By Joshua Lea
The New Orleans Pelicans are looking like a new team during their six-game winning streak. The unsung hero if this run is known as the “floor general”.
On paper, the New Orleans Pelicans do not look like a playoff-hungry team that’s ready to take the NBA by storm. In fact, there’s a couple of players on the team that has been labeled as problematic or even NBA misfits. One of these players is none other than Rajon Rondo.
Rondo is a 12-year veteran who is known for being the floor general and ego manager of the 2008 Boston Celtics big three that featured Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. He has a championship ring and a mountain of NBA experience that would make him a decent point guard for any team. However, he struggled mightily in Sacramento, Dallas, and Chicago following his stint with the Celtics.
Rajon Rondo’s struggles following his Boston days
The problem in Dallas was a chemistry issue that caused both sides to agree to part ways mutually. However, Dallas is known for having issues with players not confirming to Rick Carlisle or Mark Cuban.
Rondo learned to voice his opinion and take charge as a floor general from Doc Rivers. Rivers, at the time, was coaching Rondo in Boston. Rodon and Carlisle were seen exchanging words and explicit language during timeouts in Dallas.
In Sacramento Rondo described the tension between DeMarcus Cousins and the Kings as something he’d never experienced before. However, Rondo’s numbers rivaled those of his Boston years. Rondo’s state line in Sac-Town featured a double-double of 11 points and 11 assists per game.
Rondo’s season in Chicago last year gave us the most passive-aggressive NBA story of the year. The Instagram war between Rondo and Dwyane Wade that was simply known as “my vets”. Still, despite the turmoil, Chicago made its way into the playoffs as the eighth seed in the East.
After losing to Boston in the first round, Chicago stunned the NBA by trading Jimmy Butler to Minnesota on draft night. Rondo would be later waived by Chicago and Wade would opt-out of his contract to sign with Cleveland.
Personally, I’ve always liked Rondo has a player and as a leader. He’s a floor general and a game manager, one of the last of his kind. Hino-nonsense style and approach to the game should be celebrated around the league.
Rajon Rondo has found new life in The Big Easy
This season, Rondo has found a new home in New Orleans. For one, you don’t hear Rondo’s name in the news nearly as much in New Orleans. Rondo’s numbers hold steady at seven points, seven assists a game.
However, in February he’s nearing a double-double with 10 points and nine assists per game. This includes a triple-double he posted against the Nets with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. He’s a key component to the Pelicans offense and his chemistry with Anthony Davis is vast.
Related Story: Anthony Davis inserting his name into the MVP discussion
Whether you like Rondo’s personality or not shouldn’t be much of an issue. Sometimes, it’s headstrong players like Rondo that stand alone but produce results. However, Rondo is professional with the media and keeps things in the locker room out of the spotlight. There also doesn’t appear to be any tension between Rondo and head coach Alvin Gentry.
Rondo is currently signed to a one-year $3 million dollar deal. He, along with Cousins, will be free agents after this season. New Orleans could be the first real home for Rondo since his trade from Boston during the 2014-15 season.
Next: Corey Brewer is officially in the buyout market
Rondo is a savvy veteran point guard who doesn’t rely on scoring the ball like many of today’s point guards do. This benefits Davis and Jrue Holiday who both score at will. The New Orleans Pelicans could resign Rondo to a more long-term deal following this season. This would be a smart move by the New Orleans Pelicans to keep the momentum going from this season.