Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“I’ve always looked at someone as the MVP as someone who makes his player not only better, but is able to dictate the game from different stat-wise, is able to get rebounds, does multiple things for his team. That’s personnel. That’s preference. Obviously, I’m going to be biased, because I play with him, and I see his growth and I see how hard he works, but when it comes to his presence on the game, that’s hard. That’s up there with the modern day Kobe [Bryant]s and LeBron [James]es and all that, so I think he gets his knock, because he doesn’t score the ball and all that stuff. But when you look at the overall package, it’s unbelievable what he’s doing.”
WEEI.com: Kevin Garnett Puts Rajon Rondo on the same Level as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James
As with judging anything this early in the season it’s wise not to go to extremes on either side of the spectrum. Rajon Rondo has been playing fantastic overall to start the season, but the team is still struggling to remain consistent. They finally put together their first blowout win at home, against the Raptors and Rondo’s teammates have already begun the MVP campaign. Maybe it was because something as small as a one game absence was highlighted with a 20-assist return might have got the thought process going, but either way it speaks volumes at how much his teammates value him.
Does Rondo have a shot at MVP? If he keeps up at this pace and helps lead the Celtics to a good record and a top 2-3 seed, he’ll be in the conversation for sure. But just as it’s a little early to declare a New York Knicks vs Memphis Grizzlies NBA Finals matchup, it’s early to declare Rondo as MVP. It is great though, to see just how much respect his teammates have for him and how important they say he is.
Doc’s quote from Chris Forsberg’s link below is fantastic when describing he and other coaches sitting down to discuss how to defend Rondo:
“[Rondo’s game is] an offense in itself,” Rivers said. “We’ve always said that about him. We have an offense, and then he creates another offense at times. He’s a tough one. I sit with a lot of [opposing] coaches and we brainstorm about how to guard him, and I love hearing them, because I know the wrong ones. I don’t ever say much. But it’s hard because he’s so smart.”
Related Links: ESPN Boston: Rondo’s MVP Campaign Gains Legs | Herald: Play it by Ears | CSNNE: MVP would be a ‘dream’ for Rondo | SI.com: Celtics’ Rondo: Winning MVP is ‘in the picture’ | MassLive.com: Jason Terry says Rajon Rondo will ‘definitely’ be in MVP discussion if Boston Celtics win enough games
The Rest of the Links: ESPN Boston: Lee: Rondo ‘mad’ about 20 assists | Terry: Zone-breaker, Swag-checker
Globe: Rajon Rondo returns to assist Celtics in victory | Rajon Rondo transforms Celtics when he plays | Globe Sunday Notes: Confrontational style costs DeMarcus Cousins again
Herald: C’s Finally put one Away | Sully doesn’t get mad, gets even | Hub’s 7 deadly non-wins
CSNNE: Blakely: Rondo ‘sliced up’ Toronto’s defense | Terry picks apart zone defense | Lee: Rondo is like ‘Peyton Manning’ out there |Marshall: Can’t say enough about the energy Terry brings | Rivers: ‘Our defense was the difference”
WEEI: Fast Break: Rajon Rondo, Celtics tame Raptors | FUELED BY ‘CHIP ON MY SHOULDER,’ CELTICS ROOKIE JARED SULLINGER EARNS STATUS AS STEAL OF 2012 NBA DRAFT
MWDN: Celtics 107, Raptors 89: 20-20 vision
MassLive.com: Chris Wilcox of Boston Celtics still not in great shape, so Doc Rivers played him even at the end of lopsided win against Toronto Raptors | Jason Terry explains ‘swag check’ role, new Boston Celtics celebrations: Jeff Green is Iron Man, Brandon Bass is ‘the musclebound man,’ Kevin Garnett is ‘sheer silence’ | Courtney Lee compares Rajon Rondo to Peyton Manning, says Boston Celtics star was ‘mad’ about having 20 assists
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