I know all I have to do is jumble a few words together and insert the name Rajon Rondo" and I'll have a firestorm of comments. This is how blogging works in mid August. Still, it is an interesting topic and when you heat it up and scrape off the dross, the most important questions about this coming year center around Rajon.
Will he be healthy? Can he bump up his scoring more? Can he shoot well enough to keep defenses honest? Can he stay under control? Can he be consistent (there won't be many National TV games to get "up" for)? Will he be on the same page with the new coach?
And then there's this one. Can Rajon Rondo be the leader of the Boston Celtics?
There shouldn't be any better authority than the guy that previously held the position. Paul Pierce, his former Captain and teammate, think that yes, absolutely he can be the Man in Boston.
Pierce: 'Mature' Rondo can lead Celtics | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com
"Without question [he can be the man in Boston]," Pierce said to the Globe. "I’ve already talked to Rajon; Rajon’s mature. People talk about the relationship with Doc [Rivers], and they probably had their best years over the last two years. So I don’t think that was a reason for Doc leaving. I’ve heard that, but that wasn’t a reason for Doc not coming back.
...
"I definitely think he’s matured and can handle a lot. I talked to him and he’s ready for the challenge. He knows that it’s his team. He knows he has to be a leader, and from being around me and Kevin [Garnett] and seeing how we work."
I have to agree. Personally, as a big Rondo fan, I can see a lot of similarities between his career and Pierce's and I think he will benefit greatly from this next phase where he has to be the Man. If he doesn't step up and make that next leap, then I'm wrong and I'll deal with it, but I believe in Rondo and I'm happy that he's a Celtic right here and now.
But you knew that. What are your thoughts on Rondo? (See, I could have just said just that, but I worked on writing more than that. And on a Monday morning no less. Self-high-five.)