Rajon Rondo for All Star Update

Vote for Rajon!!!

After playing a stretch of 11 games in 20 days (during which Rajon averaged 13.5 points, 8.6 assists, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.5 steals and the Celtics won every game), the C’s took the court only twice this week. 

They played the Washington Wizards on Thursday night, romping 122-88.  Rajon was only on the court for 24 minutes, but while he was on, he was very efficient, scoring 11 points on 4-7 shooting and dishing out six assists against no turnovers.  He also nabbed 2 rebounds and got 3 steals.

The C’s played the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night in the featured ESPN, and this game was a big opportunity for Rondo to make a case for All Star with his play against the top point guard in the NBA.  Last season in his two matchups against Chris Paul, Rondo nearly played him to a draw, averaging 20 points, shooting 72%, 5.5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals (against CP3’s 20.5 points, 50% shooting, 8.5 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2.5 steals).  If Rondo could duplicate this kind of performance, he would have a strong point in his argument for All Star.  Unfortunately, Rondo picked up 2 early fouls guarding Paul, which seemed to take him out of the flow of the game.  Rondo finished with only 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.  Paul played like he remembered how well Rondo had previously played against him, and the intensity between the two at the outset was palpable.  They are both nice guys off the court, but there are going to be some battles between the two of them over the next 10 years.

The first voting results came out earlier this week, and Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade led at the guard spot.  Rajon Rondo was not listed in the top 11 vote getters at guard.  It’s highly unlikely that Rondo could overtake either of these established stars in voting, but what can happen is that we vote him in the top 6-8, and give the coach of the All Star team (likely Doc Rivers) something to think about.

In my original argument for Rajon for All Star, I threw around a lot of stats, and I’m sure the people who disagreed with my arguments were thinking, “you can make stats say what you want them to say”.  So, here’s what the stats for the top 7 candidates for All Star at point guard in the East (I’ve added Andre Miller and Mike Bibby).

 Stats per 48 minutes

Vote for Rajon!!!