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3 Reasons Rondo Would Light Up L.A.

By Keith Rivas

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If this year’s beyond crazy trade deadline wasn’t enough drama for you, then this coming off-season should do just the trick.

After the end of this season, Rajon Rondo will be most likely up for grabs. An on-court shouting match between himself and Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle has people starting to really question whether his best fit is in a Mavericks uniform.

From what he’s shown so far, unless something is done about Carlisle, there’s only reason to believe it will get worse.

What if it had been in a playoff game? Would the Mavericks have been able to suspend one of, if not the, best player on the team for a game over the simple fact that he and the coach can’t get along?

How old are we?

You would think that in professional sports — especially basketball — the players would understand by now that in order to win big it is going to take a team effort.

And yes, that includes being at the very least cordial with your head coach. Your goal should not be dividing the team so that they’ll all follow you — save that game plan for when you play follow the leader at home if you still feel that’s necessary as an adult.

But keep it out of the work place. Period.

While Dallas will most likely not be home for the former-Celtic after June — or maybe even earlier — the Los Angeles Lakers would no question welcome him with open arms.

Here’s three reasons that Rondo would be able to make some magic happen once again in the city of angels:

1. The Mamba Mentality: Finals Or Bust

January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) shoots against the defense of Indiana Pacers forward Solomon Hill (44) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Rajon Rondo, like Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant, has been in constant pursuit of another NBA Finals trophy. Both of Rondo’s previous trips to the NBA Finals came as a member of the Boston Celtics and was played opposite Kobe Bryant the Los Angeles Lakers.

The first time came at the end of the 2007-8 season; a series that the Celtics took from Los Angeles in six games.

Leading up to that year’s Finals, Rondo had been a huge contributor to the Celtics previous three series wins — first against the Atlanta Hawks, then the Cleveland Cavaliers, and then the third victim was the Detroit Pistons. The Lakers ended up falling to the Celtics in six games following personal best performances by Rondo with playoffs career-high assists (16) in both Game 2 and Game 3 while posting a playoffs career-best in steals (6) in the final game.

Rightfully so, Rondo was also voted the NBA’s Most Improved Player that year.

The second time that Rajon Rondo made it into the Finals came two years later, at the end of the 2010-11 season, where he again faced the Los Angeles Lakers.

In this series, despite the Lakers eventually taking the championship in seven games, Rondo showed that he can be explosive in big moments when his team needs him the most.

He recorded a triple-double in Game 2 of his second time around, posting 19 points, 12 rebounds, and ten assists.

Wow.

Seeing how he has been able to play and produce under pressure, particularly being able to do so in a city like Boston that’s known for more than its fair share of hardcore, unforgiving fans, Rondo’s proven he’s a keeper.

Kobe Bryant’s also a keeper.

Bryant has one more year left in him, according to multiple sources including himself.

This could easily be Rondo’s biggest reason to turn to the purple and gold.

Bottom Line: Great minds think alike

He may have been a rival before, but that was then and this is now.

2. The Yellow Brick Road: Beyond Boston

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

Once the Kobe Bryant era in Los Angeles comes to a close, Lakers fans would love nothing more than to have another great player to cheer on in the legendary Staples Center.

Rajon Rondo would be the perfect guy.

The Lakers have given Jeremy Lin every chance they possible can as a starting point guard — let’s just say that it hasn’t worked well. Lin has shown that he was better coming from the shadows and being the unexpected dark horse than coming from the spotlight with a target on his back.

The Lakers’ other option? Swaggy P — better known as Nick Young.

As much as I love Young’s attitude that he brings to the table, he is no poster child for a legendary franchise.

In fact, he could very well be instrumental in getting Rondo in a Lakers uniform because Dallas would suit him well — shiny lights and all.

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Don’t get me wrong, both Jeremy Lin and Nick Young are very talented basketball players, it’s why they’re in the pros, but sometimes, honestly, the slipper just doesn’t fit.

Rondo is built for the ride-and-grind kind of offense that Kobe Bryant is used to playing with.

And unfortunately, Bryant had to put up with seriously mediocre surroundings.

But there’s good news — there’s still hope.

Youthful forward from Kentucky Julius Randle still has yet to be able to prove himself on the court and will get the chance to do so hopefully by next season with a speedy recovery.

Also, center Jordan Hill would be a big-time bucket-grabbing machine if he is able to be kept around by the L.A. front office.

Not to mention that due to the Laker’s lack of success this season they will be getting one of the top five college players that enter the coming NBA Draft.

Bottom Line: Los Angeles gives Rondo a chance at legitimate success moving forward

The main point is this: by coming to the Lakers, Rondo not only puts himself in a great position to make a serious championship run next season (immediate future), but he also sets himself up with the chance to regain his stardom he had to a great degree in the white and green.

3. Great, Scott!

Feb 27, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach Byron Scott reacts during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers head coach Byron Scott, like Kobe Bryant, hasn’t really had a fair chance to see what kind of things can happen with good players on his roster.

Forget good, how about great?

Bringing Rondo to the party would mean that Scott would get to ensure Bryant’s last season as a Laker — after he’s remaining faithful to Los Angeles for nearly two decades — would not be in vain. He could also guarantee that Rondo’s future is set with some minor pieces already around him and a major one coming in the draft.

But wait, there’s more!

If the Lakers found a way to keep both Nick Young and still acquire Rajon Rondo, Los Angeles could easily be a double threat at the point guard position.

What this would mean is that if either one of them were to be injured, whoever is playing second fiddle (most certainly would be Young) would be able to step in and keep things somewhat consistent while their teammate nurses their injury.

Because thanks to Steve Nash the Lakers have learned the lesson of not having ready-to-go backups the hard way.

Plus, think about it this way: the Lakers front office needs to be able to honestly evaluate Byron Scott’s ability to coach the team, not just one player.

For the majority of this season, incidents involving Scott and the franchise have really only been centered around Kobe Bryant.

And while Kobe’s great and all, it’s more than just a one man show.

Bottom Line: It’s time the Lakers got their priorities straight

Rondo and Bryant sharing the same floor for one last run to the finish line for the “Black Mamba.”

Once enemies, now friends and teammates — could there be a better story book ending?

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