30 most unguardable moves in NBA history: 25. Rajon Rondo, fake behind-the-back
One of the smartest and most unconventional basketball players in league history, Rajon Rondo is always inclined to show off his dazzling playmaking skills over his underrated scoring repertoire. His jumper was never the most consistent and he doesn’t have the size to compete with some of the league’s more athletically gifted players, but Rondo’s cerebral approach to the game perseveres in any matchup.
That cunning intellect drove Rondo to create one of the most devastating ball-fakes of all-time with his fake behind-the-back pass move.
While rolling to the basket, Rondo gathers the ball with one hand, faking a behind-the-back pass before elevating for an easy layup. It’s a difficult move to anticipate, which is why it’s one of the hardest to defend. Guards find themselves dumbfounded when Rondo fakes behind the back and the greatest of rim protectors lose their concentration when stunned by the move.
When you’re a 6-foot-1 point guard playing significant minutes in the NBA, you have to find ways to create an advantage where there is none. For Rondo, that means getting his teammates involved and using his presence on the court to dictate how a squad operates. His ability to dictate an offense commands attention, but defenders don’t expect him to take shots all too often. Opponents are oftentimes more concerned with the shot he’s going to create than the shot he could take, which is why they’re more inclined to focus on Rondo’s pass than his shot.
Even after years of doing it, Rondo’s fake behind-the-back pass still turns more heads than Margot Robbie on the red carpet.