Graduation Day: The Wrath of Rajon Rondo
May 15, 2008
His pledge period is over. The public ceremony took place at 7:50 of the 4th quarter. Kevin Garnett grabbed the rebound, handed him the ball, then planted a forehead-to-forehead mind-meld before finally tapping the top of his head to seal the initiation. It is official — Rajon Rondo is a Celtic. In the Celtics most pivotal playoff game since the 1980’s, it was Rondo – supposedly the Celtic’s weakest link and liability – who dominated this game. Yes, DOMINATED. All night he ran unstoppable hi-screen pick-and-rolls as if he were John Stockton to Garnett’s Malone; continuously broke the ankles of former teammate Delonte West for baby runners as if his name was Isiah, and controlled the game in an all-around, mistake-free fashion that was as impressive as any Chris Paul playoff performance this year. Hyperbole, you say? Not if you watched the game.
Tomorrow someone will check out the box score and see KG’s 26 point and 16 rebounds, Paul Pierce’s 29 points (hits final 8 points from line), and conclude that Rondo was “the third banana”. However, Rondo’s career playoff high of 20 points, 13 assists, and only one turnover only begin to tell Rondo’s story of the Celtic’s 96-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
First Half: Rondo immediately made his mark by scoring or assisting in the Celtic’s first 15 points of the game in a quarter where the Celtics only had 18. He then sat the first half of the 2nd quarter as Sam Cassell continued his ice cold series performance with two misses and two turnovers. By 3:30 left in the quarter, a red-hot Lebron James (23 first-half points) and a series of Celtics miscues contributed to a 14 point deficit. By half-time the deficit was only three points on the strength of Rondo’s back-to-back 3-pointers and two-man game with KG. This would merely be a warm-up act to Rondo’s incredible third quarter where he had a hand in almost every score whether they were reflected in the box score or not. Doc Rivers would never take Rondo out of the game again.
Anatomy of Rondo’s 3rd Quarter:
– 11:48: Less than 10 seconds into the half, Rondo’s defense on West forces a bad pass to Garnett who gets credit for the steal and subsequent assist to Ray Allen for the quarter’s first two points.
– 10:52: Rondo drives for lay-up
– 9:18: Rondo does sublime fake in corner on Delonte West before penetrating and dishing to KG.
– 8:15: Rondo with an absolutely beautiful come-from-behind strip on West’s lay-up attempt.
– 7:37: Rondo dish to KG for another jumper
– 7:05: Rondo penetration breaks defense down, passes to KG down low who kicks out to Pierce for three. Again, no stat for Rondo on play despite greatest contribution.
– 6:22: Rondo drives for lay-up
– 4:05 Rondo gets up high to block West layup attempt
– 3:00 Rondo snares long offensive rebound off a Pierce miss, passes it down low to Perkins who is fouled before making one free throw.
– 2:39: Rondo penetrates, draws two defenders on KG pick, passes to KG who finds Big Baby for score
– 1:02 Rondo makes runner
– Celtics end quarter with 9 point lead instead of 3-point deficit
Closing the Show: In the 4th quarter, Rondo continues dominance with a medley of penetrations drawing multiple defenders, more pick-and-roll assists to KG, more runners in the lane, and more inspiring hustle plays culminating in a “no-lay-ups” hard foul on West with 45 seconds remaining.
At the beginning of the year there was only one question that came from all the Celtic doubters: “can the Celtics win with Rajon Rondo at the point.” With the series, and the Celtics season hanging in the balance — who would have ever thought that they couldn’t win without him.
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Related: GAME 4 - ”Lebron James with No Regard for Human Life“
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5 Responses to “Graduation Day: The Wrath of Rajon Rondo”
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I think KG was the biggest factor. His offensive aggressiveness made things so much easier for his teammates. He needs to look for his shot first every time, then try to get everybody else involved. But, Rondo was beasting. However, Delonte West didn’t look to shabby either.
Excellent assessment MODI…
BM-
It was odd that the game came down to Rondo and West. I do wonder, though, why KG seems to find himself farther and farther away from the basket as the game draws to an end.
I’ve noticed that KG can become a spectator in big moments. Some cats are just built that way.
Big Man, KG certainly had a great game, but keep in mind that about 20 of his 26 points were facilitated/created directly by Rondo in some fashion — usually the high pick and roll or Rondo’s penetration. KG had open 15-17 footers all night long — and with no hand in his face.
Yes, in the 2nd half West was getting off a bit on Rondo particularly by drawing fouls. It was the only reason he must have stayed in the game because he was getting abused on every single defensive possession. I guess when Gibson went down, there was no choice… except dust off Eric Snow…
KG has alot of integrity as a player he always finds the kinks … but at this game all I could see was Rondo … Most of KGs shots were put into motion by Rondo… Kids a beast