Last summer it all came screaming back to me as I found myself watching the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics. I wanted to root for a particular team because it's more fun that way. I hardly knew who the current stars were nowadays. The only familiar face was Kevin Garnett. Actually, that's a lie. To me, he's only a familiar name. As the game continued, one player stood out among all the rest: Rajon Rondo. By then the search for which team to root for was long forgotten. I have found my next Purefoods.
Today, the first thing I check each morning is the Celtics game results from ESPN. Next, I try to look for uploaded games on Isohunt, hoping each and every time that a generous soul was kind enough to upload any one of the Celtics' regular season games. If nothing comes up, I try to watch some game highlights on YouTube and read sports blogs for a blow-by-blow analysis of last night's games. Because I don't own a television, I am sometimes forced to read the live NBA forums featuring live commentary from people who are currently watching the game, all the while anticipating the scoreboard update in favor of the Celtics.
If there's one thing I'm grateful for this "MADNESS," it's the fact that I'm learning a whole lot more about the game: its plays, the great historical statistics, and the rare individual talent of select elite basketball players. It's quite fascinating to say the least.
And speaking of fascinating, nothing beats Rondo's talent and persona in the game of basketball. Simply put, he is one of the most fun players to watch in my humble opinion. You just don't know what to expect from him. The way he commands the offense of his team proves he is one of the smartest, most creative players ever to play this game. Rondo is also a great defender, a pest, even, when it comes to stealing the ball with his freakishly big hands and unbelievable speed. He even has a high percentage of boards considering his mere 6'1 frame.
I read this article in Boston Magazine, and it pretty much sums-up the enigma that is Rajon Rondo.Here are my favorite quotes:
"I have spent as much time trying to figure out Rondo these last few years as either of my kids. He’s like a cat: Sometimes he jumps on your lap, sometimes you don’t see him for days, sometimes he goes down in the basement and kills mice for you, sometimes he’s kicking over his own kitty litter box, sometimes he’s inexplicably beating up a poodle, sometimes he’s hissing at your children … you just never know." - Bill Simmons, ESPN
"I mean, it’s hard to appraise Rondo’s game. It’s hard because of preconceived notions, and it’s even harder because his game isn’t evaluable by an eye-test, isn’t conventional by any standard. The 6-2 point guard from Kentucky passes when you think he’s gonna shoot, shoots when you think he’s gonna pass, and does it all with a creative flourish and without any post-game explanation." - Tzvi Twersky, Slam
I may not know a lot. All I know is that Rondo has blossomed into a legitimate franchise player, an epic growth from the supporting rookie point guard way back Boston's championship season of 2008. Rondo has a special knack for surprising basketball fans with his unbelievable court vision. The assists he makes are extremely creative. He is the master of fake, behind-the-back passes. One minute you see him drive to the basket and the next thing you know the open man gets the ball for the open shot. Okay, maybe he's not the only one (I have yet to see how Nash, Williams, and Paul, and even the great Magic Johnson, do their thing) but, overall, I just love how Rondo puts up a great show in all aspects: assists, rebounds, steals, and even jumpshots. I respect that he's a traditional pass-first point guard rather than a shoot-first, ball-hog PG like Russell Westbrook. Because he's so quick and sneaky, his steals are so fun to watch. It's like taking a lollipop from a child, basketball-style. And finally, he is, without a doubt, Mr. Triple Double. I can't wrap my head around his athleticism and how great he is in putting up double-digit assists, points, and rebounds. It's sooo damn sexy. I'm aware he's no Michael Jordan as he still has a lot to improve in terms of his jumpshot, three-point shooting, and free throw.
Sports journalists compare Rondo's off-court persona to that of Larry Bird: aloof, stubborn, and competitive. I couldn't agree more. In fact, that's what makes him more interesting. As a fan (haha), I'm always wondering what he's thinking, what he's going to do next. This mystery keeps you wanting more. And as a mad fan girl, the rarity of his smile sends my fan-girl heart to the moon and back. I want more!
I read this article in Boston Magazine, and it pretty much sums-up the enigma that is Rajon Rondo.Here are my favorite quotes:
"I have spent as much time trying to figure out Rondo these last few years as either of my kids. He’s like a cat: Sometimes he jumps on your lap, sometimes you don’t see him for days, sometimes he goes down in the basement and kills mice for you, sometimes he’s kicking over his own kitty litter box, sometimes he’s inexplicably beating up a poodle, sometimes he’s hissing at your children … you just never know." - Bill Simmons, ESPN
"I mean, it’s hard to appraise Rondo’s game. It’s hard because of preconceived notions, and it’s even harder because his game isn’t evaluable by an eye-test, isn’t conventional by any standard. The 6-2 point guard from Kentucky passes when you think he’s gonna shoot, shoots when you think he’s gonna pass, and does it all with a creative flourish and without any post-game explanation." - Tzvi Twersky, Slam
I may not know a lot. All I know is that Rondo has blossomed into a legitimate franchise player, an epic growth from the supporting rookie point guard way back Boston's championship season of 2008. Rondo has a special knack for surprising basketball fans with his unbelievable court vision. The assists he makes are extremely creative. He is the master of fake, behind-the-back passes. One minute you see him drive to the basket and the next thing you know the open man gets the ball for the open shot. Okay, maybe he's not the only one (I have yet to see how Nash, Williams, and Paul, and even the great Magic Johnson, do their thing) but, overall, I just love how Rondo puts up a great show in all aspects: assists, rebounds, steals, and even jumpshots. I respect that he's a traditional pass-first point guard rather than a shoot-first, ball-hog PG like Russell Westbrook. Because he's so quick and sneaky, his steals are so fun to watch. It's like taking a lollipop from a child, basketball-style. And finally, he is, without a doubt, Mr. Triple Double. I can't wrap my head around his athleticism and how great he is in putting up double-digit assists, points, and rebounds. It's sooo damn sexy. I'm aware he's no Michael Jordan as he still has a lot to improve in terms of his jumpshot, three-point shooting, and free throw.
Sports journalists compare Rondo's off-court persona to that of Larry Bird: aloof, stubborn, and competitive. I couldn't agree more. In fact, that's what makes him more interesting. As a fan (haha), I'm always wondering what he's thinking, what he's going to do next. This mystery keeps you wanting more. And as a mad fan girl, the rarity of his smile sends my fan-girl heart to the moon and back. I want more!
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