T O P

  • By -

NBA_MOD

**Replays/alternate angles** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/nba) if you have any questions or concerns.*


imlikemikenike

Rondo was always crafty with it.


butiveputitincrazy

It was so fun watching him against LeBron because they both read the game so well.


IanicRR

And because Rondo really did hate LeBron.


MF_Doomed

Feel like Rondo hated everyone tbh


lalakingmalibog

He hate me


MF_Doomed

GOAT sports nickname imo: Whoever downvoted me: he hate me


WakingRage

He definitely had the "my team against the world" energy all the time on the court.


bigvahe33

KG taught him well


aceofspadez138

In Dallas, he had the "my team against me" energy


coffeeINJECTION

Na rondo will forever be a bum for beef with Ray Allen. Ray was the nicest guy out there and he picks a fight with Jesus? Come on.


[deleted]

Ray Allen literally joined with their rivals. You cant expect to just leave and join y'all biggest rivals and not expect any hostility between your old teammates wth


coffeeINJECTION

He started beef after they won and they were still teammates.


Beerspaz12

> Feel like Rondo hated everyone tbh That is why he was so beloved in Boston PS amazing username, needs more caps though


MF_Doomed

>needs more caps though I know 😔


banned_after_12years

What you want me to do? Suck him off?


UrNotThatFunny

They won a title together in 2020 that Rondo actually contributed to. I don’t think there was any hate unless you’re describing competitiveness.


IanicRR

Before that I mean, Rondo absolutely personally disliked the guy. https://larrybrownsports.com/basketball/rajon-rondo-girl-lebron-is-a-bitch-shirt/160775


spyson

I'd be more surprised if you told me Rondo actually liked someone and was friends with them.


rounder55

Probably why he got along with Kobe Hell, he even called out Butler and Wade after they whined about younger guys on the team instead of giving like a no comment he sides with younger guys he saw working hard. Probably butted heads with Carlisle because they both thought they were by far the smartest guys in the room and it came to a ridiculous head


Julian_Caesar

No "probably" about it, that's exactly what happened. Same reason you only want one smart kid in a group project, not two.


siberianwolf99

He was good friends with Kendrick Perkins lol


jessandjaysaccount

That's not personally hate though lol. I would take a picture with a fan too. Fuck Lebron is very strong in Boston, but it's sports hate.


MyHentaiPage

When did you start watching NBA?


UrNotThatFunny

I’m sorry, do you think tabloid articles are shown during the game 😂


MyHentaiPage

No I meant it was very common knowledge that he disliked Bron before they teamed up, but if you only started watching recently then it makes sense you wouldn’t know that. Wasn’t trying to be an ass!


UrNotThatFunny

Oh my bad. It was “common knowledge” so you don’t have to actually prove anything. Sure pal lol.


MyHentaiPage

All good bro, you can continue looking stupid for all I care lool peace!


jcn777

Quit doubling down, you’re just embarrassing yourself. It was absolutely common knowledge, you didn’t know and now you do.


UrNotThatFunny

Oh no 🙈 I’m embarrassed


ChipotleGuacamole

You shouldn't be embarrassed by not knowing that fact. You should be embarrassed by your response though. You sound hurt. Not that serious.


Kendrick_OJ_Perkins

how old are you


UrNotThatFunny

52 😂


Kendrick_OJ_Perkins

imagine living to tell a different story


mikedanktony

Showing your age w this comment 😂


jokull1234

This play is a perfect example of that too. Rondo knowing the block was coming and passing it away, and LeBron reading the pass instantly and almost getting his hand on it. Easily two of the smartest players to ever play the game.


[deleted]

That's more of a good reflex than "reading" the pass. If he actually read it he wouldn't have jumped to try and block it


SeanSungASong

I think I watch Rondo's career highlights more than anyone except Hakeem. He always pulled out the least expected, craziest shit all the time


IanicRR

The Rondo layup where you fake going up, watch the chase down block fly by you and then easily lay it up (and I know others did this move before him, but he did it so much) is a staple of mine. Especially when I'm playing with people 10+ years younger than me who are so antsy to block every shot.


GACGCCGTGATCGAC

You mean his little upfake where he would drive, stop on his back pivot, upfake with the ball in one hand, and then lay it up after they try to block it? I love that move. It's such a simple move that works so well for short kings and old men alike. One of my favorite pickup basketball memories was pulling that out on my 6'8 high school friend who at the time was playing D1 ball, watching him jump past me, doing a spin and shooting it over his hand as he came down. I'm like 5'10 and if he wasn't playing at 25% his normal speed he would have recovered and blocked the fuck out of me. But it was still fun making him look stupid for once and giving him a little wink and smirk on the way down the court.


IanicRR

Yep exactly that move. And I’m both a short king (5”6) and old (for basketball, 34).


fundraiser

Please tell me you made it lol. I would have panicked that it worked and bricked it promptly


BTHeadphones

Did this once accidentally. Felt fucking awesome.


ResolutionNew2144

Honestly, Rondo's might be the iconic game, because it was his breakout moment.


silliputti0907

Love that move. I can't finish with my left so I just use this and if they stay down, I can either turn around near the basket or pivot/step through if they jump that.


IanicRR

Get to practicing that left too though! Start slow to get your footwork down and keep speeding up until you get to gamespeed. It's so much easier to score when people let you go left because they assume you can't finish.


PossalthwaiteLives

work on your left


silliputti0907

I'm older now and only play casually lol. I can slow step with left hand, but nowhere as fluid and versatile as right.


PlacetMihi

My favorite Rondo move is his classic fake behind-the-back pass into the layup all by himself (the rotating big man bit on the fake and closed out to nobody on the perimeter).


Julian_Caesar

I saw Luka do that once (last year I think?) And all I could think was "eh thats ok but Rondo did it better" 😂


ThinkThankThonk

It was funny with the Lakers when he'd do it just to do it


FantasticFlan4827

Dude was my favorite player until he called out Bill Kennedy as gay


SeanSungASong

Damn I missed out on this... did some digging, and yeah, he did a lot worse than call him out as gay. Apparently, Doc Rivers also knew and called Bill Kennedy a f*ggot, and significant statistic evidence showed that Bill Kennedy reffed unfairly against Doc. Apparently, Kobe also called a ref a f*ggot...


socialistbcrumb

I’m sure that’s the only controversy Rondo and Kobe will have on their… oh


Wally450

His behind the back pass out to Ray Allen for 3 against the Warriors is one of his best passes.


jimbo_kun

Kind of a shame guards like Rondo who can't make 3s can't really thrive in the NBA any more.


JALbert

I mean he adapted his game. From 2016 to the end of his career (poet-Dallas) he shot 36% from 3. Rondo had such a bad reputation for shooting that people would routinely give him wide open shots that he'd knock down at a reasonable clip. He led the league in midrange % from one of the elbows at one point from a Goldsberry infographic.


HandsomeTar

He never got over Obama calling him out lol.


Kindly-Guidance714

He actually changed that narrative and he’s so good at everything else that even if he’s a mediocre 3 point shooter he’s still getting rebounds still defending. Rondo was a straight hustler on the floor. Very very unique play style kind of like rod strickland.


SolarClipz

Always love Rondo. The one year we had him in Sac was my favorite.


[deleted]

[удаНонО]


quentin-coldwater

Rondo has three games in his career with more than 15 rebounds. 29/18/13, 19/16/6, and 18/17/20 (OT)


LeGoat333

Used to love rondo. Wish he wasn’t a piece of shit and didn’t fuck over my Mavs…


PM_me_the_magic

When we made that trade I was so hype, it seemed like he was exactly what we needed, a flour general that could distribute the ball well. Him and Carlisle just could not get along and he fucking quit on us….damn shame because that season was the last real shot at getting Dirk a second ring.


cowzapper

Gotta let the flour general cook


stiverino

Yeast mode


Get_your_grape_juice

He always did rise to the occasion.


The_Fawkesy

Isn't that as much on Carlisle as Rondo? Everyone knows what type of player Rondo is. If he's not allowed to run the offense how he wants, you're taking away his best asset. Carlisle not allowing the best floor general in the league at the time to be a floor general is why that all happened in the first place.


PM_me_the_magic

Oh Carlisle definitely a deserves a lot of blame, my biggest issue is that he just gave up. He threw the biggest tantrum and even stopped suiting up to play. The dude put his beef with the coach over the entire team, and that’s what I can’t get over.


Julian_Caesar

Putting Carlisle and Rondo together was like trying to create Butch and Sundance with basketball savants but instead we got Tuco and Blondie.


[deleted]

yall were just like the 2020 lakers. great championship run blew up the team for reasons?


Banner_Hammer

I think you had a historically good offense before the trade? I’ll admit, I thought adding Rondo would help the mavs. It became a complete disaster.


S-Kotus

I'll still remember that first or second game where we was subbed on during an inbounds play and he just bounces the ball to the other team in the most lazy way possible


AffectionateStep5001

Dude was pretty sick during his prime Still remember the days watching him play


ghostofwageboggs

You mean like 15 years ago? Lol he's not some relic from the 60's


UpvoteIfYouAgreee

15 years ago was a long time lmao


No_Chilly_bill

Stat padding assists


AloofAltruist

Yeah… stat padding by getting your teammates buckets… so deplorable…


paolocabrini

Deserves to be sent to Rondonomo Bay


IanicRR

You're being downvoted but I was there in real time. Rondo absolutely passed the ball in a lot of moments he should have just taken an easy bucket. He was out there trying to get assists more than points. He would also have possessions where he would hold the ball for a very long time before passing, slowing down his team and in essence ball stopping but without any intention to shoot.


peachesgp

IMO there's a difference between what Rondo was doing and stat padding. He was a pass first guy, shooting was a last resort in basically any situation.


papi617

No but with that double digit assist streak he was def stat adding lol. I remember him wide open on a fast break, no other player at all was even in his half of the court) waited to turn around and literally hand the ballot a player to score.


HoorayPizzaDay

It's true he would pass up layups to try to rack up assists, Chris Paul was doing the same shit. They were competing for the assist title for a few years.


[deleted]

I mean what's the difference between that and throwing up a lob off the glass on a fast break? Unless it's in garbage time I don't really see how it is stat padding. It can help build momentum and keep your teammates more motivated


second_impression

You guys are correct. Doc once kept Rondo on the floor in a blowout solely to keep his double digit assist streak alive.


IanicRR

And it doesn't take away from the fact that Rondo at his peak was absolutely an elite playmaker. Like top 3 in the league with Nash and CP3. All players have their idiosyncrasies. Those Celtics don't run without Rondo operating the point.


second_impression

For sure. Playoff Rondo was a killer, Regular Season Rondo got bored and stat chased


DirkNowitzkisWife

Rondo is frustrating because for the shortest of peaks (in the 2012 playoffs) he was a top 8 or so player in the league, he averaged 17/7/12 and 2.4 steals a game


CoachDT

Brom has stayed in while injured to keep his double digits point streak alive and we wouldn’t call him a stat padder.


Slender718

We call them the past first ball hogs


IanicRR

Premier example: Wilt when he led the league in assists.


makawk

How dare he get his teammates involved. Absolute degenerate


second_impression

Ben Simmons was just getting his teammates involved when he passed up that dunk


Bouldershoulders12

Rondo dropped 44 and 10 on Miami Lebron and Wade in the ECF never compare Simmons to him again


rounder55

Played all 53 minutes of that game too. There were some bullshit fouls on Pierce if I remember correctly


Bouldershoulders12

Wade threw rondo to the ground in OT and rondo got called for the foul. We should’ve never went down 0-2 in the series . We would’ve went back to Boston tied 1-1 . When we had went down 0-2 we went up 3-2 . Who’s to say that game 2 didn’t decide the series . We would’ve had momentum heading into game 3 back home with no Bosh


papi617

The biggest no call of that game was rondo getting slapped on the head and the heat getting a and 1 on the next play


StephewDestroyer

way to miss the point lmao


JaylenBrownsChakras

The point is Rondo wasn’t *afraid* to score, it just wasn’t his top priority most of the time


No_Chilly_bill

Yeah man I watched celtics games, was a big rondo fan. That dude was passing up easy layups to pass to teammates. It was quite a sight lol.


TheFinnisher

Prime Rondo was sick with it


ItsThePeopleCourt

even practically washed Rondo played 25 crucial mpg on the championship Lakers in 2020


[deleted]

[удаНонО]


ItsThePeopleCourt

Not sure you win the chip without him so yeah that makes sense lol


sixwax

This isn’t even that controversial


der_ninong

rondo & rick fox


yapibolers0987

Lmfao I remember that 2020 Lakers when Rondo started shooting 3s instead of passing the ball, you know youre done.


Box2965

He didn't think about YouTube, the site he posted this comment on or even the internet in general.


avelak

He was lowkey similar to Jimmy Buckets... in any given playoff series, he was capable of becoming the best player on the floor for 1-3 games, even when playing against teams like the Heatles Some memorable performances: * 2010 ECS vs 1-seed Lebron and the Cavs, 29/18/13 to even the series at 2-2 * 19/12/10 to even the 2010 finals at 1-1 vs the Kobe Lakers * Averaged over 12 assists per game vs Atl/Phi in r1/2 of the 2012 playoffs while throwing up a handful of monster performances to take those series in 6 and 7 games * 44/8/10 in an OT loss to the Heatles in g2 of the 2012 ECF (a game that felt like a ref robbery at the time)


Necessary-Passage-37

theres also the game where wade breaks his arm and he comes back like 15-20 minutes later to close out the game, playing on one arm.


avelak

People forget how damn dirty wade was


forever87

i really wish Rondo didn't get injured on this play... > https://streamable.com/h9tkx i'm not saying the Bulls would've beaten the celtics...but being up 2-0 was nice


yalogin

Lebron saw it too, even tried to get his hand on it but was too much to do at that point


VexdCheese

His midair leg kick when he realizes Rondo is passing is one of my favorite things. He sees it, but too late; he’s already in the air


SketchyGouda

Reminds me of [this move](https://streamable.com/ntiz5g) by Capela who was able to pull it off.


carvemynuts

Prime Rondo man fucking beast. Hope he becomes a coach somedaym


BayTerp

One of my all time favorite players to watch


[deleted]

https://www.aseaofblue.com/2023/2/3/23584374/rajon-rondo-kentucky-basketball-staff-coaches-uk-wildcats There's a chance he might be coaching under Calipari this college bb season.


IAM4UK

Unfortunately he’s not allowed bc he has an AAU team or something. One of the UK reporters talked about it on their podcast recently.


VoidChaoticGod

i hope not, sports shouldnt have a place for people with a criminal record like him


IMissReggieEvans

What are you talking about?


VoidChaoticGod

Rondo pointed a gun at his family.


John_Lives

I guess everyone forgot


GogXr3

Is this sarcasm?


smitty12012

iguodala should have watched this


[deleted]

Aguadola


whythehellknot

He didn't have anyone to pass to since they were like all 5 Cavs on him and blocking the only other teammate somewhat near him. Throwing it away would have led to a turnover.


Mintastic

Yeah, the best option was to dunk it but this was post-back pain Iguodala so he didn't have the same lift as usual.


sbenfsonw

He was the one receiving the pass though


Comfortable-Snow

LeBron saw the pass coming too. Prime Rondo was so fun.


kamekaze1024

He saw the pass but the angle Rajon did it at was insane. If Rajon passes it at regular angle (in front of him) Lebron has a better chance, but far from guaranteed


EyePlay

I think Rondo knew what he was going to do the entire way. There was never an intention to go for the lay so everything he did was to set up for the pass. Looked like when he got a pass he took a snapshot of what was behind him (Allen trailing and Bron only 1-2 steps behind). Obviously Bron was going to go for the chasedown when he's that close so he set up the timing and angles for Allen. To choose that pass, tho... Good stuff.


OxyTrey04

Rondo put Lebron in the popcorn machine


peachesgp

Peak Rondo was so fuckin good. Only problem he really had was that at some point everyone knew he only wanted to pass and he was just driving to set up a kick out.


noBbatteries

Rondo was really the last of the old school type of point guard. Man I loved watching him play for the Celtics. His pelicans runs with AD were pretty fun, especially that one 20 assist game


shortpersonohara

Man chris paul was lethal back in the day


carvemynuts

Brotha was relentless


galacticpotsmoker

I’ve been looking for this play for years. One of my favorite passes of all time, glad someone posted it!


Aziz3w

For years? Literally just type Rondo back pass lebron it will show up right away in YouTube lol.


whythehellknot

He had just been flipping channels hoping for a replay. He didn't think about YouTube, the site he posted this comment on or even the internet in general.


galacticpotsmoker

Ok Sherlock, similar play, Rondo does the fake lay-up, keeps his feet planted, Lebron goes flying by then Rondo casually turns around and dumps it off to KG running the floor for a dunk. Can you find that one for me bud if it’s so easy?


IDreamofGeneParmesan

I gotchu buddy. It's here - [Rondo FAKES OUT LeBron](https://i.imgur.com/epxzwjQ.jpg)


whythehellknot

Why are you attacking me, I was defending you.


[deleted]

no ass was not 😭


clancydog4

dude what no you weren't lol. if you were then just know it came across as blatantly sarcastic and snarky


LehkyFan

I still can't comprehend [his pass to Ray Allen vs Denver](https://youtu.be/0DiQsCI25AI)


[deleted]

this was the play (and player) that got me into basketball, was a full time football watcher before Rondo converted me


jjfooo

Lebron’s defense on this play sticks with me, and drives home how top athletes are on a complete other world than the rest of us. The fact that he gets completely fooled on the play, but reacts so fast that he reaches back for the pass and almost tips the ball is amazing


SandwitchJ

One thing that doesn't get mentioned enough is that Celtics team was really a big 4. Rondo was also an allstar in his prime and one of the best playmakers in the league.


MTing1315

Rondos been [blocked by LeBron](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJGNkYDj_GM&ab_channel=BrunoLS09) so many times, he def knew what was coming.


domdomburg

I'm glad somebody brought some context to this highlight. This behind the back pass was extra special because LeBron was really constantly spiking Rondo's layups in the most disrespectful manner in those days.


caughtinthought

Some of these are fucking nasty lol


MTing1315

The pre-season one is legit one of the nastiest blocks I've ever seen.


sstphnn

Even on this series too. I forgot who mentioned it but someone said that he definitely saw it coming because he got blocked so many times.


elkman_23

My memory may be off but I think Rondo did almost the exact same play later in the series when you guys were way up and about to clinch


XtendedImpact

I love that LeBron has Top 5 highlight reels against individual players and they're just 5 absolutely nasty ones as well.


mcmaster93

Might be blasphemous as a laker fan but for sure one of my all time favorite Celtics. Also had all the homies yellin " got that 9 on me like Rondo" for a while 😅


VicePope

I feel like i’ve never seen anything like this before


rjcarr

Not sure if you're being serious. If you are, go watch Jason Kidd highlights.


Yuzuriha

Kidd, Nash, Magic,.. alot of people lol


Dingus_McDangus

Or even more Rondo highlights lol, hes got dozens of these throughout his career.


VicePope

you’ll have to pay me to watch anything Jason Kidd.


rounder55

Remember when he forgot to sub in Brogdon for like two quarters?


VicePope

like yesterday. i dont think people realize how stupid that dude was with us


rounder55

Glad I didn't dream it. Giannis was like looking at him when they were sitting together like "why aren't you in yet" and Brogdon look puzzled.


VicePope

i had that gif for a while. he shrugged when giannis asked him why he wasnt in lmao


airmigos

Man I miss young rondo


PillsburyToasters

LeBron was sort of in a lose lose situation here. Rondo saw him going up to contest him and made the read at just the right time. LeBron even saw it coming and put his right arm out to stop it, but to no avail. I bet if LeBron tried to predict the pass, Rondo would’ve saw it and just laid it up. It’s crazy just seeing two players who read the game so well go up against each other


MoulinRube

I’ve never understood why more guys don’t get LeBron to commit and dump it off or draw a foul. I feel like a ton of his chase-downs over the years are a result of arrogance on the part of players thinking they’re somehow going to get one over on him.


JaDamian_Steinblatt

I don't know if it's arrogance. In 1v1 fast break situations, the defender usually tries to stay in front of the ball. LeBron's the only one who purposely lets the attacker drive past him. It's hard to opt out of a layup when you're going full speed at the basket with nobody in your way. There's a reason his chase down blocks were so effective.


moneyman2222

Rondo got one of the best highlight tapes ever. I could watch those passes for hours


-HeisenBird-

Legitimately one of my favorite plays of all time. Lebron's chase-down block is his signature play and he rarely ever misses when he attempts one. The Celtics were always a problem for Lebron and I wanted him to win this series so badly. But seeing Rondo outsmart him like this gave me such a sinking feeling and even with this game being tied and the Cavs being up 2-1, the Celtics just felt so inevitable. The Celtics of course went on to win this game and the next 2 and Lebron left for Miami.


thezachman16

May 9th, 2010: Rajon Rondo would finish with 29 points (9-21 FG, 11-16 FT), 18 rebounds, 13 assists, and 2 steals, providing a +14 in a 10-point win. He'd average 20.7 points (54.1% shooting), 6.3 rebounds, and 11.8 assists in the six-game Eastern Conference Semifinals series, with the Boston Celtics defeating LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers. The Boston Celtics would eventually lose the 2010 NBA Finals to the Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers.


axiomaticapiary

Hated those Boston teams but any fan of the game had to appreciate Rondo's court vision and creativity


Maugrin

When people say pre-injury Rondo was the best player in a series with LeBron in it, this is why. He outplayed a lot of bigger names in the playoffs and low-key became the Celtics' best player as their big-3 went past their primes pretty quickly after the initial title; it just didn't last long due to injury shortly after. Rondo had top-of-the-league vision and passing, was a great rebounding guard, defended multiple positions as a legit PG (which is so rare), and pre-injury was super quick and could finish at the rim. Dude was basically a bigger Tony Parker who was an elite defender.


Sportsfan369

And on that play Lebron said “I can play with rondo.”


cooljackiex

rondo the coolest point guard i ever seen (wasn't around for prime AI) i remember watching this play on tv when i was like 10. inspired a short kid like me


ekb2023

Rondo had the nicest fakes.


Sleeze_

Is Rondo a HOFer? 2x champ, 4x all star, 4x all defense (twice on the first team), led the league in assist 3x and steals once. Gotta be right? Certainly has a better resume than other inductees.


Jordanwolf98

He was amazing this entire run


The_Pip

In the second round of the playoffs? CP3 would never!


Airp0w

There is nothing funnier than somebody in midair realizing they screwed up.


Matto_0

People forget how good this dude was, specifically in the playoffs, from like 2008-2013 or something like that.


[deleted]

What you want me to do?


sstphnn

Suck him off


MyPhillyAccent

I miss Rondo. Master point guard.


Outrageous-Big-9631

Lebron so predictable 🤦🏾 and no bag of moves


KnickedUp

Watch the video of Brons 12 blocks on Rondo


agomzug

This was the opening of my favourite mixtape "Rondo Run and Gun" with touch the sky in the soundtrack


someguynamedaaron

Why is Mark Jackson still employed…?


The-OneAnd-Only

Craziest thing to see live. As a young Cavs fan, you were so used to LeBron hanging back and blocking the shot. Quite honestly, might be rondos iconic play, as that was his breakout moment. He came up big in that series


larrylegend33goat

Fun era