The Great Debate: Rondo-less C's



Our Boston Celtics have not lost a game since the double OT loss in Atlanta on January 25th. It was the last game Rajon Rondo has played this season, and likely the last NBA game he will play until some point in the 2013-2014 NBA season. Seven straight wins. No Rajon Rondo (or Jared Sullinger). How has this been possible without our best player, and one of the best and most unique guards in all of the NBA? Beats me. One thing is for sure though, this winning streak has divided, yet brought together C's fans all around the globe.

Brought together? Well, simply because the C's are back to their winning ways. Somehow, they have found a sudden formula for winning, and have done so at an impressive rate. They are currently the hottest team in the NBA, and that's pretty awesome to say.

Divided? How so? No single group of Celtics fans will agree on what is seemingly the hottest current topic in Celtic nation - Are the Celtics better with, or without Rajon Rondo? At this point, I've heard a ton of different opinions on this even though it's a yes or no question. Many are throwing Rondo under the bus because Boston has won 7 straight, but has a championship trophy been earned yet?

Personally, I think the Celtics are better with Rajon Rondo in the lineup. The man is a walking/running triple double waiting to happen. When the regular season ends and the NBA Playoffs begin, he ups his game to the level of super-stardom we expect. For a prime example, during the 2011-2012 regular season, Rajon Rondo averaged 11.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 11.7 assists per game. In that seasons Playoffs, his numbers went up to 17.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 11.9 assists per game. For a small 6 foot point guard that supposedly "can't score", the numbers pretty much speak for themselves. Though he does turn the ball over a bit much and gambles on defense quite often, I still think the Celtics would definitely be better off with him in the lineup.



Since Rondo has been out with the knee injury (and is likely to be out for the remainder of the season) the C's have completely flipped the switch and are playing fantastic basketball. Paul Pierce has taken the role of being the point-foward while still keeping a scorers mentality, like a Larry Bird or a LeBron James. These winning Celtics are playing like a well oiled machine, so why were they so up and down before Rondo went down with the injury? Some say 'the ball was in Rondos' hands too much', which led to 'Terry and Lee didn't get enough touches before Rondo got hurt'. The list of things being said is pretty much endless, but everyone has a right to their own opinion.

So what do you think? Ignoring any streaks of losing or winning, would we be better off with or without Rajon Rondo in the lineup?



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