Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka is one of Kobe Bryant's closest friends. The former knows the latter like the back of his hand. So when Pelinka notes a Bryant characteristic that is evident in Rajon Rondo, then that is enough reason already to believe so.

Appearing on ESPN 710, Pelinka recalled an observation out of the 2008 NBA champion from practice.

“When you look at guys like Rajon Rondo, he’s a basketball savant. All the players in the league know that. He was on our court a day ago and I was watching from my office. He was working on one play for two hours. That’s that Kobe-level of detail at breaking down plays.”

Rondo's basketball acumen is one of the NBA's worst-kept secrets and Lakers fans should get excited that he's now on their side.

When the Lakers acquired LeBron James to begin free agency, the need to surround him with the right pieces reached stratospheric importance. James is one of the best minds in NBA history and it's only fitting that he's on the floor with players that can keep up with his mental fortitude and Rondo fits the bill like no other.

More than just a Ph.D. holder on the basketball court, Rondo is also an excellent leader. Head coach Luke Walton got to witness this further as Rondo willingly took Kyle Kuzma for some film breakdowns during one of their practices.

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Last season, Rondo averaged 8.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 8.2 assists per game for the New Orleans Pelicans. But more impressing is how he morphed into a totally different player come playoff time, earning the nickname “Playoff Rondo.”