The NBA as is usually headlined by prolific players and the crazy fanbases around the world for the league. The fans are arguably some of the best in sports today and it comes to no surprise when people have these “theories” on certain players. If you’ve been a fan of the NBA for some time now, chances are you’ve heard of the phenomena called “Playoff Rondo” or alternatively to other viewers as “National TV Rondo.” The theory goes whenever Rajon Rondo plays in front of a large television audience, especially in the playoffs, he performs much better.
Does Playoff Rajon Rondo really exist?
While looking at his numbers comparing this past season with the New Orleans Pelicans and the nine games he played against the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors, there’s some evidence this theory may be true. During the 2017-18 season, Rondo has been averaging 8.3 points per game shooting an efficient 46.8 percent from the field throughout the course of the season. On top of that, he’s also doing his part on the distributing and defensive end. Rondo finished the season with 8.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game to show his effectiveness on both ends of the floor at age 32.
Playoff Performance
Now let’s examine his performance in the playoffs where you can see a big difference especially on the offensive end. In the nine games he played, that included the sweep of the Blazers and the five-game loss to the Warriors, he increased his numbers across the board. Rondo averaged 10.3 points per game slightly dipping his field goal percentage to 41.3%. However, his rebounds increased to 7.6 per game and even had a career high in assists with 12.2 per game.
While looking at his performance in the playoffs you can see his aggression shooting the ball with the scoring bumped a little more and the percentage dropping a little. For one of the few pass-first point guards left in the league, it’s very rare to see him bring the ball up, not pass it, and then just attack the basket hard for a layup. Rondo is still initiating the offense and even using his reputation as a passer to find openings in the lane for aggressive drives for those valuable high percentage looks.
Rondo is one of the top players in the league with extremely high basketball IQ and this is where you see his mastery especially during the playoffs. What helps open these aggressive drives and high percentage looks is his uncanny passing style and the angles that he threads the needles. Rondo’s “magic” with the ball comes with ball fakes such as his signature behind the back fake. Passing and vision in the open court have helped boost his assist numbers indefinitely. He’s always looking to push the ball ahead and finding open teammates for an easy basket.
Myth or Fact?
In the end, it looks like “Playoff Rondo” is part myth and part fact. Sure the numbers never lie but there’s tons of evidence especially this past seasons playoff run against the Blazers and Warriors to help you believe in this theory. While he may expend a little more energy in the playoffs, this is the NBA playoffs and while everyone should raise their level of play, he is definitely a better version of his already impressive self.
WASHINGTON, USA – DECEMBER 19: New Orleans Pelicans’ Rajon Rondo (9) goes for a layup past Washington Wizards’ Marcin Gortat (13) during the NBA match between Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans at the Capital One Arena in Washington, United States on December 19, 2017. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
