“Playoff Rondo” became the talk of the town on Tuesday night, with the Los Angeles Lakers guard putting in a vintage performance in their 112-102 Game 3 win over the Houston Rockets.
While Rajon Rondo himself isn't buying into this hype, Anthony Davis is all about it:
“’Playoff Rondo’ is real,” Davis said, via Michael C. Wright of NBA.com. “His intensity picks up. He wants to guard the best perimeter guy. He wants to facilitate on the floor. He’s shooting the ball very well, making the right passes. We’ve got the two best I.Q. guys in the game with him and LeBron on the floor at the same time, which is tough for defenses. So, ‘Playoff Rondo’ is real, and he showed up tonight.”
Rondo played a key role in helping the Lakers secure a 2-1 lead in the series. The veteran guard scored 21 points and dished out nine assists while shooting 8-of-11 from the field and knocking down three 3-pointers.
This isn't the first time Davis has witnessed the so-called “Playoff Rondo” up close and personal. So, he certainly knows what he's talking about here.
Prior to reuniting in Los Angeles this season, Davis and Rondo were teammates with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2017-18 season. Rondo was instrumental in the Pelicans' 2018 postseason run, where they upset the favored Portland Trail Blazers in a first-round sweep.
Rondo was in his Boston Celtics prime form against Portland, posting averages of 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 13.3 assists.
The Lakers missed Rondo's services throughout the seeding games and the entire first round due to a fractured thumb and back spasms. If “Playoff Rondo” continues to play like he has since returning to action, the Lakers will be very tough to beat on their way to the NBA championship.
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