Unlike Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy, the individual known as “Playoff Rondo” is real. Whether Rajon Rondo is on a championship-caliber team like the “Big Three” Boston Celtics or this Los Angeles Clippers team, he just shows up and takes it up a notch when the postseason starts.
During the 2016-2017 playoffs, Rondo was a part of the Chicago Bulls, putting up near triple-doubles, and was instrumental in winning the first two games of that postseason. Then, he suffered an injury and the Bulls were subsequently wiped out in four straight games by the Boston Celtics.
Just like the aforementioned mythical creatures, Playoff Rondo leaves gifts making us want more. Last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, he averaged 7.1 points, three rebounds, five assists, and 0.8 steals, per outing. Come playoff time, these numbers improve to 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and 1.4 steals, per game.
Rondo has been averaging pedestrian stats with the Los Angeles Clippers, but he has barely played with them and sees few minutes in action. With his body of work, it is safe to say that he will turn on the switch when the regular season ends and the playoffs begin for the Clippers.
He is a traditional pass-first point guard and a natural playmaker. This is what the Clippers have sorely lacked this season and last year. The offense stagnated last year and involved star forwards Kawhi Leonard and Paul George finding their own shots. This is one of the many reasons the team fell apart and had an early exit, which meant the much-anticipated “Battle of L.A.” never took place.
Rondo can get the ball moving and his teammates involved in any offense as a top tier facilitator. If needed, he can space the floor and contribute in other ways. He can reliably get boards, despite standing at just 6-foot-1.
Part of this is a result of his court awareness and freakish 6-foot-9 wingspan. It is that same basketball IQ and length that makes him able to comfortably defend against most guards and interfere with passing lanes. In general, most people's wingspans are close to or about equal to their height, but even by NBA standards, Rondo has unusually long arms and large hands.
This may seem absurd, but maybe Rondo could even help Paul George get out of his playoff funk, which led to all the “Way off P,” and “Pandemic P” memes. If George carries over his usual, regular-season form all the way, then the Clippers get a two-way forward, who can knock down shots anywhere, and even make plays for others. Having Rondo in the fold should help elevate his game.
Playoff Rondo is the edge the Clippers need to be considered title favorites and now that he's on this roster, the Clippers have a good chance to take it the distance.
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