Boston Celtics: Is Rajon Rondo Worth the Headaches?

Despite Rajon Rondo’s best season being cut short, the Boston Celtics must wonder if Rondo and his attitude are worth the trouble. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule, Flickr.com)

It’s been an interesting season for the Boston Celtics. They lost their starting point guard Rajon Rondo for the season with a partial ACL tear in his right knee and surprisingly, the Celtics are 9-3 since his injury. They’re currently third in the Atlantic Division behind the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.

Though the Celtics currently have the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, their front office and fans should be asking one question. Is Rajon Rondo worth the headaches?

Rondo was suspended on two occasions. His first suspension was two games for his role in a fight against the Nets on Nov. 28. Rondo threw punches at Kris Humphries after Humphries fouled Kevin Garnett hard. Rondo was also suspended for bumping into referee Rodney Mott during a Jan. 5 game against the Atlanta Hawks. Rondo then didn’t cooperate fully with the NBA, resulting in his suspension.

His temper has always been an issue. Many of his ill-tempered moments are found all over YouTube. Is one man worth all the trouble and problems for the Celtics?

Yes, he still is.

Rondo was approaching career highs in both points and assists this season. He’ll finish with 13.7 points and 11.1 assists a game. Rondo was also nearing his career production value in field-goal percentage. He finished 48.7 percent from the field and almost matched his free-throw percentage career high with 64.5 percent. The 27-year-old Rondo hasn’t even reached his prime yet.

Compared to those filling in for him on the court, Rondo is sorely missed.

Avery Bradley gets the nod over Jason Terry. This makes sense, considering Terry plays both guard positions and is better off the bench. Bradley only averages nine points and 1.5 assists per game. Terry averages 10.4 points and 2.4 assists a game. Bradley and Terry’s game performances do not fill in void left by Rondo’s absence.

The Celtics won’t make it far in the playoffs without Rondo. If the playoffs started today, they would face the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics could get past the Pacers but the question is, “Can they go on to win the Eastern Conference?” No, they won’t.

Despite Rondo’s problems on the court, he’s still worth the headaches.

Who else can the Celtics get to fill the void left by Rajon Rondo? Not many can currently lead that veteran lineup as effectively as Rondo has. If the Celtics decide to rebuild, Rondo is the man to build around.

Rajon Rondo was having his best season yet in his career. Despite the headaches and troubles he causes the Celtics, when push comes to shove, is Rondo worth it?

YES!