FanPost

The Phenomenal Rajon Rondo

Phenomenal: from a Greek root meaning "appearance," phenomenal describes something so awesome and borderline miraculous it really has to actually be seen to be believed.

Last evening, through the magic of YouTube and The Basketball Reference, I went back in time to when Rajon Rondo was the point guard for the defending world championship Boston Celtics. As you may recall, entering the 2009 playoffs the Celtics were without the services of Kevin Garnett. A first round matchup between the Boston Celtics and Chicago Bulls turned into an epic battle of wills.

Game one was a classic, Chicago won in overtime 105 -103. The game featured 26 lead changes. Rondo led the Celtics with 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 29 points and 43 minutes, yet rookie sensation Derrick Rose overshadowed Rondo with 36 points and 11 assists. We did not know it then, but we were just getting warmed up.

In game two, with less than two and half minutes on the clock in and down 5 points, the Celtics were facing the very real possibility of going down two nothing in Boston. In the final 2:19 seconds RR scored four points, grabbed both of the game's final two rebounds - one on offensive and one defense and he assisted on three other baskets. He had a direct hand in twelve points in the final two minutes plus, as the Celtics came back to win 118 to 115.

Rondo had a triple double, he again led the Celtics in rebounds 12, assists 16, and steals 5, while scoring 19. For the 40 minutes that Rondo was in the game the Celtics were a plus 17 for the 8 minutes Rondo was out of the game the C's were a minus 14. As for young mister Rose, Rondo held him to 10 points - even more amazing Derrick Rose did not get to the foul line in game 2.

Here are Rondo's game two highlights for your viewing pleasure:

Rajon Rondo game 2

In game three Rondo completely abused Derrick Rose. In 34 minutes Rondo's line was 11 rebounds, 6 assists 5 steals and 20 points, during his time on the floor the Celtics were a plus minus 26. Rose had 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 9 points and 7 turnovers. His plus/minus was negative 32. The C's were up 22 at the half. Rondo was rested for much of the second half, he was going to need it.

Game four was just your average, ho hum, double overtime affair with 28 lead changes. Ultimately the Bulls came out on top. Rajon Rondo played 55 minutes and 8 seconds out of a possible 58 minutes, Rondo had another triple double 11 rebounds 11 assists and 25 points 2 steals with only 1 turnover. This time around Rose was up to the task contributing 11 rebounds, 9 assists, although he did give the ball away seven times. As the series was moving from a sprint to marathon Kirk Hinrich's presence was being felt, as he chipped in 18 points. The only point guard available to backup Rondo was a beaten and broken Stephon Marbury, in only 5:17 of play he was a minus 17. If the Celtics were to prevail Rondo was going to have to take on all comers.

That brings us to game five, but before we admire this gem, let's again pay respect to Rondo's stat line. This time Rajon led all players with 28 points, he led all players with 11 assists, he played 49:07 min (yes we were going overtime again), he made both his three point attempts, he had 8 rebounds, and 2 steals. Rajon played great D on Rose, holding him to 14 pts, on 7-16 shooting, no trips to the line, 0-1 from beyond 3 (Rose never made a three point shot in the series) and 6 more turnovers.

Here are Rondo's Highlights for your dining and dancing pleasure:

Rajon Rondo Game 5

Back to game five. Let's reset the stage, the series was knotted at two games each, the Celtics had won game two with a great come from behind victory in the closing minutes, and had administered the series' only beat down in game three in Chicago. The Bulls had won an overtime thriller in the series opener and a double overtime thriller, thriller in game four.

The facts from game five are as follows. The Celtics won 106 to 104 in overtime. There were 15 ties and 13 lead changes, Chicago led for 22 minutes and 58 seconds, Boston lead for 22 minutes and 42 seconds.

Paul Pierce hit a 19 ft. jump shot to give Boston a 106 -104 lead with 3.4 seconds remaining. After a Bulls timeout, the ball was inbounded to a wide open Brad Miller. When Miller came charging down the lane to ram home a game tying dunk, Rondo dropped the 250 pound Miller to the floor. The reply showed that Rondo swiped his hand hard across Millers face, his fingers fish hooking Miller's mouth pulling him down. After Miller missed his first foul shot the game was over. Was Rondo's play on Miller dirty? You be the judge, but three are certain, Rondo was not going to let Miller score, the Celtics won the game, and Rondo would never be able to turn his back on Brad Miller.

Game six, not one... not two... three overtimes! Rondo played 57:30 minutes out of a possible 63. Game six would prove to be Rondo's worst shooting game. Rose and the Bulls held Rondo to four baskets on seventeen shots. RR continued to do what he does best he played great defense 9 rebounds, 19 assists with zero turnovers. Think about that, zero turnovers nada, none!

With 28 ticks of the clock remaining in the third overtime and the Celtics down 3 it was up to Rondo to win the game. Kevin Garnett was in street clothes, Kendrick Perkins, Paul Pierce, and Big Baby Davis had all fouled out. The 6-1, 170 lb., 23 year old point guard, stepped on to the court as the Celtics best rebounder, defender and undisputed floor leader. With 23 second left Rondo got to the rim, missed his shot, grabbed the rebound and but it back in. C's down one. After a Hinrich miss and a Tony Allen rebound, Rajon Rondo had an opportunity to win the game. But alas it was not to be, a Rondo jump shot from 12 feet was rejected by Derrick Rose (least anyone forget what a great athlete D Rose was).

The series was tied three to three, seven overtimes had been played, 106 lead changes and it all comes down to one game. The Bulls lead after 28 -23 after the first quarter. A Celtics surge gave them the lead 39 -37 at the 5.11 mark of the second quarter, they built a thirteen point half time lead. An exhausted Bulls team tried to mount a comeback, an exhausted Celtics team held them off, there would be no more lead changes. The Celtics won the game and the series.

Rondo's stats for the series were incredible: he played 45 minutes per game, he averaged - 19 points, 9.3 rebounds, 11.6 assists, 2.7 steals.

But it was how Rondo played that was truly phenomenal. He ran a marathon at a sprinters pace, he was fearless, he was tough, he was creative, he defended, he attacked, he was clutch, he was a leader, and he was a winner.

On the evening of May 2, 2009. Rajon Rondo was the 23 year point guard of the Boston Celtics he had played in five playoff series his team had won all five series.

Do yourself a favor, click on the links, a player as awesome as Rondo was has to be seen to be believed

What is your favorite playoff performance by a Celtic's point guard?

Your comments are very appreciated - thanks TNB.

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