Rajon Rondo made an appearance on the Knuckleheads podcast recently. When asked to create an all-time starting five with his former teammates, Rondo decided to go outside the box and form two teams, one comprising of smaller players and one comprising of bigger players that he has played with. The two teams he came up with were as follows:
Small Lineup: Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki
Big Lineup: Rajon Rondo, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, DeMarcus Cousins, Shaquille O'Neal
Rondo was able to create two incredible lineups with his former teammates. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that he left out some great former teammates off his squad such as Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Jermaine O'Neal, and Glen Davis. It just goes to show how many talented players Rondo has shared a court with during his NBA career.
Rondo spent the majority of his career with the Boston Celtics. He was a key part of the Celtics' 2008 NBA championship run. At one point, the Celtics had four All-Stars on their roster with Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett. However, Rondo would leave the Celtics in 2014. After brief and unremarkable stints with the Mavericks, Kings, and Pelicans, Rondo would find himself on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing for a team he played against in two NBA Finals, Rondo was now representing the Celtics' greatest rivals. And in what can only be considered an exquisite piece of sporting irony, Rondo would help the Lakers win their 17th NBA championship in franchise history in 2020.
Many believe that Rondo was the third-best player on the Lakers during the playoff run behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Rondo is only the second player in NBA history, after Clyde Lovellette to win a championship with both the Lakers and the Celtics. Funnily enough, he was the player who helped both teams lift a then-record-breaking 17th NBA championship.
Rajon Rondo Plays Start-Bench-Trade
During the same interview, Rajon Rondo was asked to pick between Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd, and Steve Nash in terms of whom he would start, whom he would put on the bench, and whom he would trade away. The 4-time NBA All-Star picked Magic Johnson as his starting point guard, relegated Jason Kidd to the bench, and chose to trade Steve Nash.
"I'm going to have to trade my man, Steve Nash. I'll start Magic and bring J-Kidd off the bench."
All the players he was asked to choose between were known as great passers and playmakers in the NBA. So choosing between them could not have been easy. But Rondo did make decisions that this writer would agree with. And it shouldn't come as a surprise, given that much like the players mentioned above, Rondo is one of the greatest playmakers in NBA history.
One could even put him in the conversation along with the players above, as he has accomplished many of the things the players above have. Fans will always remember just what a brilliant playmaker Rondo was during the peak of his powers.
