Thursday, October 7th, 2010 at 8:00 am  |  98 responses

Top 50: Rajon Rondo, no. 17

The definitive ranking of the NBA’s best players.

by Franklyn Calle

Remember when Rajon Rondo’s job was to simply bring the ball up the floor and dish it out to one of the “Big Three”? He was returning from his rookie campaign, and Boston had just finished in last place in the Atlantic division the previous season. There were questions and skepticism as to whether the 6-1 lanky guard could run the point properly, the most important position on the floor, on a team that had high expectation after having acquired Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the offseason.  But so much has changed since then. The former Kentucky Wildcat is no longer a sidekick to KG, Allen, and Paul Pierce. Today, he is the most important player of the franchise. He was the reason why Boston was only five points short from their 18th world championship. You take Rondo out of the equation and the Celtic’s 2010 playoff run wouldn’t have even been clRajon Rondoose to how it went down. He has the highest value of any player wearing Celtic green, in terms of upside and promise.

Last season, Rondo was putting up new career highs all across the stat sheet, particularly in points, assists and steals. Aside from his 13.7 points per game, the Louisville, Kentucky, native finished fourth in the NBA in assists. His 9.8 assists per game only trailed Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams. In addition, he led the League in steals with 2.3 per game, the first Celtic player EVER to do so.

At the beginning of last season, Rondo signed a guaranteed five-year $55 million extension with the Celtics, a sign that Boston recognized how important of a player he is to their success.

Rondo, who was selected as a Eastern Conference reserve for the NBA All-Star game for the first time in his young career, denoted his talent last season, breaking league and franchise records.

In a late March home game against the Sacramento Kings, Rondo surpassed Rick Fox’s 167 steals and became the franchise’s all-time leader for steals in a single season. Not to mention, he finished with 18 assists that night as well — a career high for him at the time.

Three games later, Rondo broke Bob Cousy’s record for most assist in a single season by a Celtic player, a record that stood for 50 years, after a 23-point and 10 assists performance against the Houston Rockets.

In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Rondo finished with 13 points and 19 assists. The assists tied his career-high, as well as the franchise’s record for most assists in a playoff game. In Game 4, he joined Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain as the only players in NBA history to ever finish with 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists in a single playoff game.

I don’t about you but for someone who has only been in the League for four years, this speaks volumes considering the fact that he has already either broken or tied records held by other NBA legends.

When you considered the fact that Rondo’s assists have been increasing at a rate of almost two assists per season (1.93 to be exact), a double-double season average for this upcoming season is inevitable. Also, if you factor in that Boston has made some nice upgrades to their bench by adding Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal to be backups in their frontcourt, after the Heat and the Lakers revamped their teams, as well as the continued steady improvements of Kendrick Perkins (10.1 pts & 7.6 rpg last season) Glenn Davis (6.3 pts & 3.8 rbs last season), there is no doubt that Rondo’s 9.8 assist per game will be well into the the double digits. (Remember: His assists average have gone up at an average of 2 assists every year since he’s been in the L.)

Now, a lot of you guys who don’t really like Rondo are going to argue that he can’t shoot the ball. And, well, you’re right to a certain extent. Rondo has had trouble with the consistency of his jumper and free throws. That’s something I’m pretty sure he’s aware is his biggest flaw. But despite all the records he’s already broken, we have to remember that he’s only 24 years old. There is definitely room to grow and improve. If four years down the road, meaning eight years into his pro career, his shots haven’t seen a significant improvement, then we can talk. We’ve seen LeBron James’ shooting improve throughout the first seven years of his career. This 6-1 guard has tremendous upside. He has already surpassed individual franchise records for a team that holds the most championships in NBA history and have featured the likes of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, Bob Cousy and Dave Cowens.

Just imagine what he could do once his perimeter game becomes respectable.

SLAMonline TOP 50 PLAYERS OVERALL RANK POSITION RANK
Player Team Position 2010 2009 2010 2009
Ray Allen Celtics SG 50 36 10 9
Gilbert Arenas Wizards SG 49 34 9 8
Lamar Odom Lakers PF 48 33 14 10
John Wall Wizards PG 47 NR 13 NR
OJ Mayo Grizzlies SG 46 46 8 12
Al Horford Hawks C 45 NR 6 NR
Jason Kidd Mavs PG 44 45 12 10
Joakim Noah Bulls C 43 NR 5 NR
LaMarcus Aldridge Blazers PF 42 39 13 12
David West Hornets PF 41 31 12 8
Monta Ellis Warriors SG 40 NR 7 NR
Andrew Bogut Bucks C 39 NR 4 NR
Yao Ming Rockets C 38 NR 3 NR
Brandon Jennings Bucks PG 37 NR 11 NR
Zach Randolph Grizzlies PF 36 NR 11 NR
Stephen Curry Warriors PG 35 NR 10 NR
David Lee Warriors PF 34 NR 10 NR
Brook Lopez Nets C 33 NR 2 NR
Gerald Wallace Bobcats SF 32 NR 7 NR
Manu Ginobili Spurs SG 31 29 6 7
Tony Parker Spurs PG 30 15 9 3
Kevin Garnett Celtics PF 29 13 9 3
Rudy Gay Grizzlies SF 28 44 6 9
Josh Smith Hawks PF 27 40 8 13
Andre Iguodala 76ers SG 26 26 5 6
Al Jefferson Jazz PF 25 23 7 7
Russell Westbrook Thunder PG 24 NR 8 NR
Chauncey Billups Nuggets PG 23 19 7 5
Tyreke Evans Kings PG 22 NR 6 NR
Danny Granger Pacers SF 21 21 5 5
Carlos Boozer Bulls PF 20 32 6 9
Paul Pierce Celtics SF 19 17 4 4
Joe Johnson Hawks SG 18 20 4 4
Rajon Rondo Celtics PG 17 27 5 8

Notes
• Rankings are based solely on projected ’10-11 performance.
• Contributors to this list include: Jeremy Bauman, Maurice Bobb, Erildas Budraitis, Sean Ceglinsky, Ben Collins, Bryan Crawford, Sandy Dover, Adam Figman, Manny Maduakolam, Eddie Maisonet, Ryne Nelson, Doobie Okon, Ben Osborne, Charles Peach, Branden Peters, Quinn Peterson, David Schnur, Todd Spehr, Kyle Stack, Adam Sweeney, Dennis Tarwood, Tracy Weissenberg, Lang Whitaker, Eric Woodyard, and Nima Zarrabi.
• Want more of the SLAMonline Top 50? Check out the archive.

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  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    @Enigmatic…..:just out of curiosity, which english words you entered to get the results “ορυχείο” and “πιπιλίζουν”….?? Or the original text wasn’t in English…??? You managed to really confuse me in a pleasant way pal !!!

  • David

    I’m guessing Amare’s next.

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    @David…..:SCOLA is next.

  • robert

    like i thought d rose will be higher good now more proof that d rose is all ready the better pg rondo is not bad of course hes just not going to be the no.1 pg in the league some day. :)

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    BREAKING NEWS!!!! In a game that featured the best bbal club in America for 2010 and the best bball club in Europe for 2010 ,BARCELONA beat the LAKERS 92-88. Pau did his best and Kobe also tried to contribute but it was not enough. The (UNOFICIAL) title for the best bball club in the world for 2010 is brought for the first time in EUROPE!!!! (Olympiakos had lost from then NBA champs CHICAGO in 1997). I think this game should take place tihs year, in football this is a long time tradition, the best in Europe plays the best from Latin America to determine the best football club in the world (the best team in the world is determined in the WORLD’S ofcourse, just like in bball.)

  • anony mous

    … Sorry to say that it looks like the Legendary, All Universe talent that is Luis Scola will not be ranked. Sorry Greek Dude.

  • PlanetAsia14

    Hmmm… Interesting, but I like it.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    if you are buying a preseason game as something that matters you are quite possibly the most ignorant person on slam. maybe in the basketball community throughout the world. maybe of everyone over the age of 10.

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    @anonymous…….:LUIS is a legend (as you correctly said) being a top-3 big man at every major world tournament he has played the last decade(and toying in the process with pretenders like Amare,elton brand,b wallace,a.davis,etc). I know he will not care that he wasn’t included to the top-50 of the national league of U.S. , propably he will(also) find it funny.

  • Marcos

    I love Rondo’s game. Before I blew out my knee, my game was completely like a poor man’s Rondo. Loads of hops, quickness, penetrating, court awareness, assists and in your face defense with multiple steals every game, zero shot though although I was always around 75% on freebies my shot was awfull, the 3ball in particular yikes… not to safe my life. Remember one of the only games ever where I hit two consecutive 3′s my coach called a time-out and asked me ‘what the fack I was doing’. Ohh the memories… Now my game is that of Don Nelson, sitting on the sidelines, mumbling offensive jibberish and putting down cold ones faster than Usain can Bolt. PS: Greek Antonis please just stop your ramblings, it is getting really old and making us Europeans look really bad. I am asking in a nice plight way; we promise that if you refrain from posting we will all start calling Iverson for ‘Anna’ and you can pound your absurdly hairy chest and holla one last ‘ANNA’ and walk away the winner. How about that deal?

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    @nbk…..: early reaction from european sport sites “Barcelona humiliating the Lakers”, “Barcelona getting the tittle of best team in the world”,etc…i don’t quite agree but i suspect that most of those journalists are over 10…propably around 12 (ha,ha,ha!!!)

  • anony mous

    1)James, 2)Bryant, 3)Durant, 4)Wade, 5)Paul, 6)Williams, 7)Howard, 8)Anthony, 9)Nowitzki, 10)Roy, 11)Gasol, 12)Duncan, 13)Bosh, 14)Stoudemire, 15)Nash, 16)Rose.

  • Lz – Cphfinest3

    That Marcos post above is me. Btw. SLAM needs to hire better tech-people, this stuff has been going on for years it seems.

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    @Marcos……:geia sou re Botsari !!!!

  • Lz – Cphfinest3

    That ‘Marcos’ post above is me. Fix this issue SLAM.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    so that’s why your so consistently ridiculous on your opinions of european basketball compared to the NBA, you not only read into headlines (which are meant to grab your attention, even if the journalist knows its a bold faced lie) you form your opinion from them.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Please tell me Derrick Rose isn’t in the top 20.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    By the way, Stephen Jackson and Aaron Brooks both should have made the list ahead of Lamar Odom. I’m not sure given Odom’s stats and role on his team–a very important role, but not a cornerstone player–how he manages to crack these lists year after year. Like seriously. Might as well put Derrick Fisher at #46 too while we’re at it.

  • http://www.euroleague.net/competition/players/showplayer?clubcode=pan&pcode=BEZ ANTONIS FOTSIS

    quick recap (didn’t saw the game, just the highlights on the NBA site): the game was tense and ugly like those games usually are(at the same time that means that both teams,although not 100% ready, gave it all), the Lakers managed to take an 11 point lead at the third period but Barca fought back and then the game kept close till the end. Pau was the best from Lakers and Navaro for Barca. Kobe had a similar showing as the other great game he played this year (0/6 3′s in this one, ) and the Lakers were 0/14 on 3′s in general. Seems that both teams approached the game much more serious than an unofficial world final…Kobe who had said he’ll play just 5-6 minutes ended up playing more than Ricky (25-18) but it was still not enough….check Barca’s 55&56th point to understand what beautiful basketball (as coach K called it) means.Amazing!!

  • BBaller

    Thanks ANTONIS FOTSIS i am watching the LA v Barcelona game now on play back, so Barca win do they?Thanks for that, this page is about Rondo

  • BBaller

    I watch it on playback so i can fast forward the Ads, cheers again

  • TrailBlazing&SportingLisbon

    @Enigmatic: no hate, LOVE Rose´s game, a franshise player, but hes not even near CP3 and DWill, thats all I say, give the dude 3 years, he might be, today? nah…and SLAM keeps ignoring it, maybe cause da Bulls are really popular?! prolly, dont know

  • http://www.kb24.com The Seed

    Rondo is the most important player on the Celtic team, which is why I would rank him higher. Rondo’s team made it to two out three NBA Finals and won one. He is the BEST DEFENSIVE POINT GUARD IN THE LEAGUE and if played in a pick and roll offense would average more points a game. I would take Rondo over alot of point guards in the league. Right now, the only point guards I take over Rondo is Deron Williams and Derrick Rose. So to me Rondo should be higher, he is not getting enough credit, because defense wins game and penetration to the basket. BOOK IT!!

  • TrailBlazing&SportingLisbon

    as of today Rondo should be nº16 and Rose nº17

  • anony mous

    Cosign Teddy. I might not be as high as you are on Brooks, because I think his stats are a tad inflated similar to Monta Ellis’, but he’s still a very good player. Jackson definitely deserves a spot over many of these guys, and your right on about Odom. He’s a good player, but should have no place in any top 50 list.

  • http://www.bulls.com Enigmatic

    Fostis – I told you I would probably murder your language cause I was using Google translate, which sucks. But you murder mine from time to time so whatever. Don’t remember what exactly I typed in, something about you sucking at life though.
    Trailblazing – fair enough.

  • Furious

    I cant wait for the 2015 season when Rondo averages 20 assists. And imagine if he plays until 2020 and goes for 30 dimes a game. That’ll be really impressive.

  • http://www.google.com/news BETCATS

    I’d rank him top 25 but not top 20. His abilities are being showcased because of his supporting cast. He does have these abilities, it is undeniable, but without KG/Pierce/Allen he wouldnt be able to do what he does at the level he does it.

  • James

    I’m just glad Rose is ranked ahead of Rondo.:D

  • http://google c_cantrell

    this is good spot for rondo.. love this dudes game and jus for the record he would have for sure won finals mvp last year if the green would have won.. the best rebounding guard in the nba and an absolute stud

  • ezra

    this is ridiculous how can anyone even consider rondo as the 17th best player in the leauge look at the guys above and below him in the rankings, amare stoudamire, and joe johnson those are guys you base your franchise around. at best rondo is a solid player and plays very well in a specific system. if i had to pick a point gaurd for thois celtics team rondo would be high on my list. but in terms of overall talent as one of the nba’s best players, hes not even close. wesbrook jennings evans billups all are better overall players. rondo flourishes in a system that coul practically made for him. just watch the celtics and youll for example if ray allen isnt hitting jumpshots rondos entire game falls.

  • tRay

    ^^well put Rondo is a steady true pg but there are other pgs that would instantly take the Celtics to the Finals and sh*t on the Lakers last year.

  • Harry Twatter

    To you Boston, I do understand you guys are homers and you have the Rondo Love affair thing going. But have you EVER watched a basketball game? Not the Finals and not ESPN highlights but a actual Fuc/kin basketball game? Derrick Rose is by far the most unguardable PG in the league 1v1 with the ball in his hands. His combo of size, controlled speed and strength is just unreal. stop hating and appreciate you lived in the era of Rose BEFORE HE EVEN SNIFFED HIS PRIME!!!! Morons he is a PG version of Lebron and Wade combined!!!! Rondo is NON of this. BTW Rondo SUCKED his first couple years. The BIG 3 carried his bitc/h ass!!!!!

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  • mark

    why all the rose haters? Rose is top young PG in the game. Rondo is good defensively. Interchange these two on their respectable teams and rondo wouldnt even make this list. All that doesnt matter because they are where they are

  • http://www.twitter.com/jtrain73 Jono

    what?! rondo is only the 4th best pg? bosh is better than duncan? that’s it i’m done reading this stupid column,

  • http://www.twitter.com/jtrain73 Jono

    actually i was wrong. he’s 5th behind cp3/dwill/rose/nash. wtf?! i’m a nuggets fan and i’m pissed. don’t know why but i am. this guy is the best defensive pg and top 5 in asiists and he’s 5th??? i’d take him over rose anyday!

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  • http://slamonline.com riggs

    sick and tired of the anti-rondo sentimentality in this damn website. what else should he do to appease you idiots? win a ring with EVERYONE ELSE ON THE TEAM HURT? christ on crutches wtf has rose ever done thats above this dude? NOTHING. when rose wins a ring helping out his team as much as rondo did (and saving them from losing as rondo did as well) then add him to the convo.

  • http://slamonline.com riggs

    commentators on this website*

  • http://www.twitter.com/jtrain73 Jono

    @riggs THANK YOU!

  • B-BallMaestro

    @Tmoney

    Rondo got hurt in the Orlando series and hurt his back. I think that affected him more than anything else. Cause he stopped driving to the basket like he did previously. But also keep in mind. Nobody shot well in that entire series including Kobe (35% for series). Rondo was actually one of the better shooters in the finals.

    The media and some fans blew his finals more out of proportion than the reality.

  • B-BallMaestro

    Oh. PS: Mark Jackson and Van Gundy were just saying earlier in the series that they both thought you shouldn’t play off of Rondo and it that it hurts your team more that way, cause it creates passing lanes for him. Now we got all this? Lol.

    Lastly. There’s no way in Hell that a non-point guard like Derrick Rose should be ahead of Rondo.

    But that’s another argument.

  • B-BallMaestro

    Yeah/follow up. Cause both Van Gundy and Jackson had agreed during game two in the series (Rondo’s triple double) that it actually hurt the defense to sag off of him; caused it opened up his passing lanes.

    Now because they lost game 7, all of a sudden it’s Rondo’s fault (when he shot better in the series than most of the other stars and he was playing hurt), cause Kobe sagged off of him?

    You also know why Kobe sagged off of him? Cause he couldn’t guard Rondo and didn’t want to be embarrassed. You ever noticed that Shannon Brown, Farmer and Fischer all guarded Rondo. Kobe just didn’t want to be embarrassed. Cause he couldn’t guard Rondo. But nobody says that truth.

    PS: Can’t see how slam can rate that non-point guard Derrick Rose higher than Rondo. That’s just criminal. He’s not even a real point guard!

  • http://n/a Team Unique

    Hey I agree this guy that writes up above me. I know that Kobe can’t guard Rondo because he suck. I don’t like the Lakers because they are just all talk. Kobe knows that he can’t guard Rondo because he will get cross over and that will talk for months and years. Kobe don’t want to be embarrassed by Rondo. Look Kobe is so scared, he let Shannon Brown, Farmer and Fisher guard Rondo everytime they vs. The Celtics because he knows that he can never ever gaurd Rondo in his life time. I know that Rondo is the best point guard in the NBA History.

  • Jagster

    Agreed with team unique.

    Kobe plays off Rondo more for survival. He could never guard Rondo in a million years out top (no one can keep him out of the paint). It also rest Kobe as well.

    If I blame Rondo for one thing in the finals. I blame him cause he stop penetrating late in the game.

    Don’t know if he was injured or tired (could of been both). But he did (stop penetrating)! And as soon as he went to rest for a few minutes; the lakers reclaimed the lead.

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  • James Wrethman

    should b number 1 ahah

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