Rajon Rondo: coming into the league, he was an answer to the Celtics’ prayers; a star point guard capable of leading a team which contained Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to the NBA championship in just his second year in the league. Today, Rondo is the only piece left with the Celtics as Pierce and Garnett were traded to the Brooklyn Nets and Allen is now with the Miami Heat. Rondo hasn’t played yet this year, as he went down late last season with an ACL injury and is currently rehabbing, but his return is right around the corner.
Danny Ainge, disassembled his championship team to rebuild the organization around young players. Jeff Green has been a rising star in Rondo’s absence which gives the Celtics something to work with. Playing in the Eastern Conference it isn’t hard for them to gain a mid-level seed in the playoff chase. Once Rondo returns, he and Green are expected to be a dynamic duo. However, it seems as if the Boston Celtics are still missing one piece to the puzzle, a dominant Power Forward or Center. Before the trade deadline comes around, I expect them to have traded for someone who can dominate the post by getting rebounds and blocking shots. KG is long gone which leaves the Celtics without a big man capable of being a team leader. The Celtics are working to remedy this, and are heavily rumored to be involved in the chase for Rockets big man Omer Asik.
Rondo’s return is going to make a huge impact for the Celtics, just as his leadership always has for the team. Rondo’s basketball IQ is sky high which gives him an ability to lead his team in the right direction, on and off the court.
The Celtics are currently the number four seed in the Eastern Conference below the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. Since the Eas seems to be the weaker of the two conferences, it seems likely that the Celtics will be in the playoffs come spring. However, if they keep the same roster they have now, they will have a tough time getting past the dominant Indiana Pacers and the two-time NBA champions, Miami Heat.
Acquiring a new coach in Brad Stevens was seen as a risky move for the Celtics at first but now, the relationship and chemistry between him and his team is outstanding. Coaching is a big deal especially with this roster of young players and Stevens is doing a phenomenal job so far as his team is the number four seed in the East. When Doc Rivers went to the Los Angeles Clippers, many worried for the Celtics, but the team hasn’t missed a beat, and Stevens has been doing a great job as a new young head coach.
When Rondo returns, the Celtics are expected to rise in the league standings but right now, it’s difficult for them to get above water as they currently sit under .500. Still that record gives them a strong seed in the East, where the only teams “above water” are the two teams expected to compete for the NBA championship this year. Adding a superstar like Rondo is going to create a bigger impact than everyone is expecting, as he is one player who can make a huge difference on the court. Bouncing back from an ACL injury, Rondo is going to be hungrier than ever. He wants to show that he is an elite player, and a contender for the Hall of Fame down the road.
The latest reports indicate that Rondo will return in January. He has recently been cleared to play full-contact in practice, and is clearly getting closer to being 100%. Every team in the East should be on notice, Rondo is returning and he is going to be shining brighter than ever for the Celtics.
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