NBA - Sports Rumors

Wed Jun 18, 2008 7:59 am EDT

Rondo comes up big for Boston

By Joe Zedalis

Rajon Rondo

Getty Images

With 7:10 left in the fourth quarter last night, Rajon Rondo left the game to a rousing ovation from the TD Banknorth Garden crowd. It was a performance worthy of one of his new Reebok commericals. Yes, the Lakers had been Rondo'd.

The little point guard had been questioned all season — and all series — but he came up big in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. After totaling just 16 points and 6 assists in the three games in Los Angeles and playing just 23 combined minutes in Games 4 and 5 after he injured his left ankle in Game 3, Rondo submitted a playoff-career-high 21 points and added 8 assists (against just one turnover) and 6 steals as the Celtics defeated the Lakers, 131-92, to capture their 17th NBA title.

"I think I started 0 for 4, but I just kept attacking the rim. I just wanted to keep making Kobe [ Bryant] play defense. I didn't want to give him a night off like I did the first couple of nights on the road,'' Rondo said.

Rondo had 10 points in the third quarter when the Celtics ensured that there would be no miraculous comeback for the visitors like the one they had spun in Game 4 in Los Angeles. He drove to the basket fearlessly and even picked the pocket of Bryant, who after commiting a hard foul tapped the precocious point guard on the head, the ultimate sign of respect from the NBA MVP.

Source: Boston.comNew Window

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66 Comments

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  1. Zaga
    1. Posted by Zaga Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:58 pm EDT

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    What a boring series. Hopefully Bynum will make it exciting next year.
  2. park
    2. Posted by park Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:28 pm EDT

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    Celtics in 6 like i said game 6 for # 17 on 6/17 in the area code 617 baby!!!
  3. Derico
    3. Posted by Derico Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:41 pm EDT

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    If Rondo can work on being able to knock down the 3ball consistently then he will be almost unstoppable force on that team... Scary, scary thought.
  4. SmackTalkGuru
    4. Posted by SmackTalkGuru Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:45 pm EDT

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    the lakers were too soft......too many euro's and kobe is nowhere near MJ, he wouldnt get pooped on by 40 points in a game 6
  5. a b
    5. Posted by a b Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:15 pm EDT

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    Rajon Rondo for president...great defense...great offence... and can definitely run the show...What more do you need in a president???
  6. WMA
    6. Posted by WMA Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:42 pm EDT

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    Took more than the Big 3. Yeah, they are all amazing players, but dont take away from the bench!!!! Cs bench compared to LA FAKERS bench....puhleas!!!! Posey, House, Powe....... Fakers had nothing but Sasha the suede headband wearing girl! Rondo played out of his mind last night , he stepped up B-I-G!!!!!!! Give the guy some credit. Hopefully it is a glimpse of whats to come. the steals he had set the tone last night. He couldve stood in the background and let the big 3 take over , but HE took the game to Kobe who had NO answer!!! He didnt even look like he cared. TYPICAL!!! That moment when him and Doc were whispering in each others ear....... Kobe was probably BEGGING him to let him come play in TITLETOWN!
  7. alex m
    7. Posted by alex m Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:48 pm EDT

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    i'm glad derek fisher made himself a factor.
  8. Mike J
    8. Posted by Mike J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    Hey TSPAM this is a public forum. Use some decorum. Show some class!!!!!!!!
  9. Mike J
    9. Posted by Mike J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    I gotta admit as a Celtics fan I'm a little embarrassed about some of these posts on this blog!!!!! Please remember and act if like you've been here before meaning this isn't the first championship we've won so please don't act like it is. Giving props to the Lakers and all world player Koby Bryant, I'm sure with Bynum coming back and maybe a defensive shut down forward I hope to see the Lakers again next year if the Celtics are lucky enough to be in the same position.
  10. erici
    10. Posted by erici Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:03 pm EDT

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    Mike J: Bottom Line the celtics were chewed on and dismissed, the world doubted them and LA Fans talked like they had it in the Bag So to all my real Boston Heads gloat, talk trash, and let the sports World nkow we are the most passionate fans and we will never stop admitting that....Not one LA FAN HAS THE COURAGE TO SHOW UP???????
  11. Mike J
    11. Posted by Mike J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    Hey # 22. No doubt most of what you say is true BUT still show some class. There are post here that don't have to be what they are. I'm sure you've heard of good sportsmenship? Regardless of what Lakers fans show up its not hard to think that Celtics fans can show some decorum on these blogs. Throwing the f- bomb around this blog is uncalled for and I don't care how passionate you are , AGAIN JUST HAVE SOME CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!
  12. joarby2
    12. Posted by joarby2 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    he came up HUGE!!!
  13. Celtics - Not this season
    13. Posted by Celtics - Not this season Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    I watched how Rondo played in this game, still cant shoot jump shoots and I've seen better young players. The media is still OVERRATING him. He is STILL an AVERAGE player and without the big 3 he is even less than average. Until he can start improving his game, He is a NON FACTOR. The Lakers will win the next 3-5 championships.
  14. Celtics - Not this season
    14. Posted by Celtics - Not this season Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:25 pm EDT

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    I watched how Rondo played in this game, still cant shoot jump shoots and I've seen better young players. The media is still OVERRATING him. He is STILL an AVERAGE player and without the big 3 he is even less than average. Until he can start improving his game, HE IS A NON FACTOR.
  15. Mikeypower
    15. Posted by Mikeypower Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    OH HAPPY DAY!!! #17 BABY...WOO HOO!!!!! The better team won! The was the most beautiful butt whoopin' I've ever witnessed and especially against our bitter rivals the Lakers? That was just too sweet. Party time now...Go Celtics!!! I'm going to go and get loaded with championship garb!!! I think I feel a song coming on...."We are the champions...my friends. And we'll keep on fightin' til the end...EVERYBODY...we are the Champions...we are the Champions...no time for losers cause we are the Champions...OF THE WORLD!!!!"
  16. roach
    16. Posted by roach Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    Garnett----defensive player of the year
    Pierce----giving you nothing more but the "truth"----can u handle it?
    Allen---sniper at it's best.....peaked at the right time.....let it rain from the 3 pt line!!!!!
    Rondo---the thief----how many steals?.....watch him get better!!!!
    Perkins----the beast....at only 23....look out for him once he learns how not to get into foul trouble.
    the bench.....a motley crew of role players who know what their job is and can MAN-UP when the need arises
    can u say REPEAT??????
  17. JS
    17. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    TO ALL YOU OBNOXIOUS CELDICK FANS.......Don't ask me to congratulate your bought and paid for championship. The only real Celdick on the team is Pierce. So Garnet the T-Wolve and Allen the Sonic brought a championship to "Basten" and their fairweather fans, BIG DEAL! I congratulate Danny Ainge for purchasing these hired hands. I don't congratulate "Basten" fans, you've done nothing to deserve a championship.
  18. JS
    18. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    Rob...Dennis Johnson? ...Give me a break.
  19. roach
    19. Posted by roach Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    js, don't be sore...just because we got the better deal and you got a SOFT gausol....you cry....i hope Bynum gets healthy and LA keeps the same roster so you can face Boston again next year. what will you be crying about next? have some class and accept defeat.
  20. Mike J
    20. Posted by Mike J Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:18 pm EDT

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    To #30. Ya I felt that same way when the Lakers got Shaq!!!!!!!!!!!
  21. JS
    21. Posted by JS Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:47 pm EDT

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    gambling man....Boston is old and will have too many injuries next year to repeat...the young Lakers over-achieved this year, no one really expecting them to get to the finals. Enjoy it this year, bro.See you again in 22 years.
  22. Mikeypower
    22. Posted by Mikeypower Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    I sense some soreness out there from some Laker fans. Let's get something straight about buying a championship...it doesn't always work. You can buy all the players you want, but unless you got the right coaches and the players perform, you aint gonna win anything. Buying championships is the in thing right now. A big factor is egos. You get three star players on a team, you have to convince them to put winning first and that doesn't always happen. Take baseball for example. The Yankees since 2000 have tried to buy a WS and have been unsuccessful. Another example is my precious Mutts. I love them, but they couldn't run an organization to save their lives. However, don't blame buying as an issue, we didn't blow a 24 point lead and lose...you guys did and that is why we are holding the trophy!
  23. roach
    23. Posted by roach Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:35 pm EDT

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    if old is garnett=31 pierce=30 allen=32 perkins=23 rondo=23, the rest of the role players less than 30 with the exception of pj brown and cassell
    I think repeat is in order, barring injuries and ego problems. as for west, maybe NO can mature and rise up.
    LA, can still be a force....what to watch now??
  24. alex g
    24. Posted by alex g Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:06 pm EDT

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    With all due respect to the Big 3, Rondo was a huge part of this win. He absolutely set the pace for most of the game by pushing the ball to the hoop, finding the open man for the easy 3-pointers, and picking Kobe's pocket how many times? Not counting his hesitation to take the open shot, the kid is absolutely fearless- he goes up for rebounds by himself against 7-footers for crissake! You really cant say enough about how he respinded to all the criticism he has taken. If he starts to get confident about his jumper, look out.
    And JS- as to the Celts being too old to repeat, what are you talking about? Aside from PJ Brown and Cassell they really arent that old at all. The Big 3 are all in their early 30's, and most of the bench and role players are young and will only get better from this win and from playing with the veterans. They've definitely got a good 3 or 4 more scary-good years left in them.
  25. 80'sLakers4ever
    25. Posted by 80'sLakers4ever Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:33 pm EDT

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    I'll give respect to Rondo, he's definitely a solid player and outperform D. Fish in the Finals, but let's be real for a second. Would he be as effective without the big 3 there to take all the attention. I just think we took advantage of the opportunity of having defenders play off of him, while the big 3 got all the double teams and attention of the defense. I think any of us could win a championship if you put us on a team Celtic team with 3 future hall of famers.

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