Hey, Is His Headband on Upside Down?

OK, Chris Sheridan did a great piece on Rondo on today's Daily Dime on espn.com. You should read it. But this kid needs more press. He is way too good. So, at the request of a fellow blogger I have decided to weigh in on the start to the season that this third year point guard has had for the defending champion Celtics.

It seems like just yesterday that the recently assembled Big 3 had the NBA world abuzz with speculation over whether or not their egos could coexist, and even if they could...can Rajon Rondo find a way to pass that ball around enough to keep everyone happy. Rondo, coming off a successful rookie season had more pressure on him than perhaps any other point guard in the league. He didn't just need to continue to improve, he had to lead a team with 3 future hall of famers to a championship.

There were reasons to question whether or not Rondo could do it, and it was not just his lack of experience. While he is incredibly athletic there were legitimate concerns about his ability to hit jumpshots (honestly this is still a concern) and his ability to consistently make good decisions with the ball in his hand. Suffice it to say, Doc Rivers, and indeed any fan of the Celtics no longer have any concerns about this kid.

After a very serviceable year last year, in a seemingly impossible situation, and a nearly unbelievable run through the playoffs Rajon Rondo has improved so much over the course of this new season that he barely resembles the player he was as a rookie. Rajon Rondo runs this team on the floor. He calls the plays and when all three of the Big 3 get major attention from opposing defenses Rondo keeps them honest by breaking down defenses and taking the ball to the rim with impunity. His shooting is still questionable, but to be honest, on this team he rarely needs to hit a jumpshot.

Last night against the Knicks Rondo showed exactly what makes him such a dangerous player. In the third quarter after the Celtics slowly let the Knicks climb back into the game after the Celtics had a 23 point lead Rondo took over. He went 9 for 9 from the floor. He went to the rim whenever he felt like it and consistently made the perfect decision about whether to take it for the score, pass to an open teammate or dribble it back out the other side and reset.

That, my friends, is what has made Rondo so much better. He has always been a physical freak. Fast as lightning, long arms, big hands, and an amazing vertical leap. What has made him a true standout point guard, however, is the improvement in his decision making. Not only is he making the right choices, HE BELIEVES he is making the right choices. He is not afraid that he will piss off the big three by taking more shots. He isn't worried that he will lose his job or be the reason the Celtics lose a game. And that confidence has made him the dangerous player he is today. And this is without mentioning his strong defensive abilities.

The Celtics are a very good team with anyone at point guard. No doubt about it. But Rajon Rondo is the real reason for the 18 game winning streak. Right now he is the difference between good and great. And I can assure you, if he plays like this through June, the Celtics may have rings on both hands.