Top Three X-Factors For The Sacramento Kings This Season
By Rafe Wong
Jan 13, 2015; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Rajon Rondo (9) drives to the basket against Sacramento Kings guard Ray McCallum (3) during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Rajon Rondo
For the Kings to have a legitimate shot at the postseason, it could heavily be decided on the performance of Rondo. Throughout the majority of Rondo’s career, he has shown great success on both ends of the court.
Offensively, Rondo has been a dominant playmaker. The combination of his passing ability, vision on the court, and intellect have given him the ability to conduct offenses efficiently, and to create nifty plays for his teammates and himself to score.
Defensively, he has also found success. During his tenure with Boston, Rondo earned the reputation as a lockdown defender around the league, which lead him to earn two consecutive NBA All-Defensive First Teams (2010, 2011), two NBA All-Defensive Second Teams (2009, 2012), and the league leader in steals in 2010.
Unfortunately, the chances of Rondo returning back to his elite form seem to be slim, as Rondo has shown an alarming decline in his game in the last two seasons. With his decline, plus attitude on the court, it eventually lead the Celtics to trading Rondo to the Mavericks last season, and for the Mavericks to opt out to resigning the once elite point guard for this forthcoming year.
On a bright note, maybe a fresh start is what Rondo needs. This might be the last chance Rondo has to prove he can still be an effective point guard in the NBA, and to earn a contract next offseason that he ideally wants.
I think even Rondo would agree that if he can get even close to what he produced while his prime in Boston, it will help both his current team and himself going forward. Hopefully that’s enough motivation for the former all-star to restoring his career.
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