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Rajon Rondo: A Rick Carlisle Weapon Like Never Before

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 17, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) on the court warming up before the start of the game against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo (9) on the court warming up before the start of the game against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 140-106. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Lakers 140-106. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

In the second blockbuster deal of the 2014-15 NBA regular season, the Dallas Mavericks traded for four-time All-Star and two-time assists champion Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics. Dallas acquired Rondo for the more-than-reasonable price of Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson, Brandan Wright, a protected first-round draft pick and a future second-rounder.

Marc Stein of ESPN reported the news.

"The Celtics are sending the All-Star point guard and forward Dwight Powell to Dallas for Brandan Wright, Jae Crowder, Jameer Nelson and draft picks. Boston will receive a conditional first-round pick in the 2015 draft and a second-rounder in 2016, as well as a $12.9 million trade exception.“We would like to thank Rajon for everything that he has done for the Celtics organization and the success we have experienced during his tenure with us,” Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said."

In many eyes, the move solidifies Dallas’ status as a championship contender.

Beyond Rondo’s dynamic facilitating and top-tier ball-hawking is a player whose contributions are anything but limited. He’s one of the most well-rounded contributors in the league and the standard for triple-doubles.

Despite the comparisons to former Mavericks great Jason Kidd, Rondo is a weapon like Rick Carlisle has never coached before.

Jason Kidd Comparisons

If we’re touching strictly upon facilitating, defense and the nightly triple-double threat, there’s an appropriate comparison to be made between Jason Kidd and Rajon Rondo. Kidd, who ran point for Dallas from 2008 to 2012, helped coach Rick Carlisle win an NBA championship in 2011.

Kidd holds undeniable advantages as a shooter, specifically from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe. Thus, some have begun to question whether or not Rondo can fill the future Hall of Famer’s role in the 2014-15 reincarnation.

There’s a combination of traits that Rondo possesses that Kidd did not during his Dallas tenure, however, and it’s vital: youth and athleticism.

When Dallas acquired Kidd from the New Jersey Nets in 2008, he was on the cusp of turning 35 years old. When the Mavericks won the championship in 2011, he was 38 years old and shot a horrid 36.1 percent from the field during the regular season.

Not only is Rondo 28 years old, but his production is matched with being one of the most physically intriguing players in the world.

Rondo stands at a not-uncommon 6’1″ and 186 pounds, but he has a ridiculous 6’9″ wingspan and massive hands which enable smothering man-to-man defense. While metrics say he’s declined in 2014-15, playing for a superb defensive coach and alongside a significantly better supporting cast should help him improve.

Much like Kidd, Rondo will put his world-class facilitating abilities to use. What’s different about the two is that Rondo is still capable of carving up opposing defenses with his ball-handling and agility, thus creating open shooting and slashing lanes.

This is no knock on Kidd, but a 28-year-old Rondo and a 38-year-old Kidd aren’t as comparable as they may seem.

With the differences, however, come areas of concern.

Shooting Woes

One of the things that distinguishes the Dallas Mavericks from the rest of the NBA is their proficiency at the free throw line and from beyond the arc. In 2014-15, Dallas ranks No. 4 in 3-point field goals and No. 10 in free throw percentage.

Rondo’s a liability in both areas. That cannot be overlooked.

There’s no question that Rondo elevates the level of play of those around him, but his struggles with shooting aren’t to be ignored. While they may not neutralize his other areas of expertise, it’s significant enough for opponents to strategize.

For his career, Rondo is a career 25.2 percent shooter from beyond the arc and converts at a low clip of 61.4 percent from the free throw line. In 2014-15, those numbers are sitting at an ugly 25.0 percent and 33.3 percent.

Yes, 33.3 percent from the free throw line.

The most commonly ignored piece of information is that, for his career, Rondo has shot 47.3 percent from the field. That efficient mark ranks amongst the league’s elite perimeter players.

He’s never been much of a shooter, but when Rondo plays with a scorer’s mentality, he’s likely to convert.

Regardless of how good he is at finishing around the basket, Rondo must improve his outside shooting to thrive in Dallas. The Mavericks rely heavily on their guards being able to shoot, at least from mid-range, and it’d be crippling for Rondo to continue to struggle.

Keep in mind, backcourt mate Monta Ellis is a career 31.8 percent shooter from 3-point range. Something must improve.

Dec 13, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle motions to the referees during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle motions to the referees during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center. The Warriors defeated the Mavericks 105-98. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Benefits

If a segment is to be dedicated to the areas in which Rajon Rondo struggles, then one must acknowledge how he thrives. To do so, one must acknowledge a non-hyperbolic truth.

Aside from consistently hitting mid-range and outside jumpers, there’s nothing Rajon Rondo is incapable of consistently doing.

Rondo is an NBA champion with career postseason averages of 14.5 points, 9.2 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game. In the regular season, he’s led the league in assists twice—he’s doing it again in 2014-15—and he was the steals champion in 2010.

Beyond those two miraculous statistics is Rondo’s close-to-unparalleled statistical balance.

Since 2008-09, Rondo has 149 double-doubles and a league-best 22 triple-doubles. In that window, only LeBron James has more than 10 triple-doubles with 20.

The next-best point guards are Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook with eight.

Since 2009-10, Rondo has 134 double-doubles, which ranks behind just Chris Paul at 161. That rare company not only establishes Rondo’s greatness, but further solidifies his place as one of the game’s premier point guards.

If that doesn’t do it for you, try four All-Star Game appearances, an All-NBA nod and four All-Defensive Team selections.

That’s what makes Rondo such a unique weapon for Rick Carlisle to mold.

Past Carlisle point guards include Chauncey Billups, Jason Kidd and Jamaal Tinsley. Billups hadn’t yet reached his prime, Kidd was past his and Tinsley was productive, but not of All-Star quality.

As Rondo prepares for a new chapter, so too will Carlisle. For as many extraordinary players as he’s coached in his equally magnificent career, Carlisle has never had a player like this.

Carlisle has never led a player like Rondo.