Is It Already Over For Rajon Rondo In Dallas???
Feb 24, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) watches the game from the bench during the second half against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Raptors 99-92. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo has always been someone you just can’t pinpoint. He’s a unique personality that some people say is stubborn or selfish. Pretty funny comment considering he has LEAD the league in assists per game multiple years, but I digress. When the Mavericks acquired Rondo on Dec. 18, the move was GREAT on paper. Dallas lost a few role players while they gained a legit starting point guard that can run the offense and that some thought would be an extension of the coach on the court. The starting line-up they assembled was expected to compete even with the depth of the Golden State Warriors! And with all the ELITE point guards in the Western Conference, a defensive-minded guard in Rondo would obviously be an upgrade over Jameer Nelson…
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Unlike in NBA 2k15, the move hasn’t worked out. Rondo’s ugly shooting stroke and unique way to the play the game has changed Dallas’ spacing and pick & roll nature has clashed with coach Rick Carlisle’s offense, which is dominated by ball movement. Rondo is a guy who MUST have the ball in his hands!
And then, the ultimate awkward moment happened and it resulted in Rondo being suspended for the upcoming game against the Altanta Hawks. Rondo and Carlisle got in a shouting match on the court in Tuesday’s win over Toronto, an argument that spilled into the locker room and got ugly real quick. In case you missed it, here is the clip from the game and Carlisle’s reaction postgame –
That reporter was great, not letting coach off the hook. Even without the drama, Carlisle does have a point playing Rondo a career low 20 minutes per game. Rondo not impacted and has even hurt the Dallas offense. Dallas is averaging nearly nine fewer points per 100 possessions with Rondo on the team and their defense isn’t even that better considering Rondo is a top defensive point guard –
The relationship in my opinion is beyond repair, as ESPN Dallas’ Tim MacMahon reported Wednesday that the free-agent-to-be is “extremely unlikely” to remain a Maverick past this season. This could still workout: Rondo could be a one-year lease type guy that can get a championship and then get his money elsewhere next season. This could still be a feel-good story, despite Rondo not being there for more than one year!
But for that to happen, Rondo and Carlisle must get on the same page. It’s funny that Rondo said that he didn’t play hard with the Celtics on defense…I really don’t see him playing any harder for the Mavs…
Back in the day, leaders like KG, Paul Pierce, and Coach Doc Rivers were able to temper the personality of Rondo. It will be interesting to see if Coach Carlisle and Rondo can do the same. According to Stephen A Smith, he has no doubt Coach will find a way to put away the differences to make a run at the WCFs.