Rajon Rondo already breaking NBA records with others in jeopardy
The primary reason for the Boston Celtics’ (8-2) hot start to the season hasn’t been Paul Pierce or Ray Allen. It has been their 6ft 1in point guard Rajon Rondo, leading the league in
assists with 15.1 helpers per game. Throw in his 10.8 points and 5.2 rebounds per game and it is clear that he is the main reason why the Celtics currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference.
But Rondo’s early numbers could come to mean more than just a bunch of wins. They could lead to a historic season. He’s already starting to break records as his 24 assists against the
New York Knicks on 29 October tied Isiah Thomas’ record of most assists in a triple-double. Averaging nearly five more assists per game than anyone else in the league, Rondo has already passed Magic Johnson and John Stockton for the most assists in the first
five games of the season with 82.
"He's got four outlets for assists,” team-mate Ray Allen told reporters of Rondo. “And when he makes a sharp cut with the ball, someone's got to come over to help because he's just so
quick, he blows past his guy. So when someone comes over to help, that means one of us is open. It's scary."
Boston coach Doc Rivers said Rondo is bringing the ball up the floor on every possession, as opposed to previous years.
"Last year, or even the year before they would just get a rebound and throw it to the nearest guy,'' Rivers said. "We're telling everyone to get the ball to Rondo and let him do what he
does. The trust they have in him is unbelievable.''
If Rondo continues passing the ball at his current clip, numerous assists records will be in jeopardy this season. Retired Utah Jazz point guard John Stockton currently holds the records
for assists per game with 14.5 over the 1989-90 season and most assists in a season with 1,164 during the 1990-91 season.
If Rondo keeps up this pace, he would finish the season with 1,230 assists, a new NBA record. Rondo has noticed the rising expectations of him so far this season. He’s not used to fans
being disappointed when he posts only 10 assists.
"It's sad,'' he said. "People expect 15 assists every night. It's not going to happen. They say, I 'only' had 10 assists. Ten assists was great for me last year. It's great for me this
year, too. The expectations, they're getting up there.''
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