NBA+Career

NBA Career media type="custom" key="11007386" align="left" width="76" height="76"

In 2006, Rondo entered the NBA draft. He was picked 21st over all by the Phoenix Suns then he was traded to the Celtics. This was the start of a great NBA career. He split time with two other guys when he first started out on the team. As he went on, he got better with more time, points, and assists all leading up to his first start against the Clippers. He started 25 games over all that season. He set many records including 1st in steals, 2nd in assists, and 6th in time for the rookies. He also made the All-Rookie Second Team.

In 2007-2008, he started all 77 of his games and the other two guys that he split time with were traded. He was not known for his shooting but more for setting up his team mates with easy shots and driving in to the basket. During the All-Star break, he was picked for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam. After the break, they hired a veteran point guard because they felt Rondo wasn’t experienced enough. With his help, the team improved and became the #1 team in the eastern conference. Rondo finished top 5 in the most improved player voting, and #1 in the NBA Finals. In game 6 against the Lakers, he had 6 steals and the Lakers head coach called him the “Star of the game.”

In 2008-2009, with Rondo leading the way, the Celtics had the best starting record in NBA history, going on a 19 game winning streak. Rondo finished the season 5th in assists and the Celtics went to the playoffs. In the series against the bulls, Rondo had two triple-doubles in the same series. Larry Bird was the only other to do that. In game 6, Rondo had 19 assists and NO turnovers! Despite Rondo’s best efforts, the Celtics were defeated by the bulls in game 7, but Rondo nearly averaged a triple-double.

In 2009-2010, Rondo signed a 5 year contract worth 55 million dollars. He was also chosen for his first NBA All-Star game. Plus, he was selected for HORSE but lost to Kevin Durant in the finals. This season he set records for assists and steals in a single season. The team went all the way to the finals, but lost in game 7 to the Lakers. In 2010-2011, early in the season Rondo had 24 assists and a triple-double tying Isiah Tomas for the only player to have at least 24 assists and a triple-double. He also had a total of 50 assists in the first 3 games which broke a record. This happened again for games 4 and 5. Unfortunately, this season he suffered many injuries including: planter warts, strained hamstring, sprained left ankle, and a dislocated elbow in the playoffs. The Celtics went through the first series beating the Knicks. They lost to the Heat after Rondo dislocated his elbow to end their season. Rondo had the third highest selling jersey behind only Kobe Bryant and Lebron James by the end of the season.