Rajon Rondo’s “Playoff Rondo” nickname goes back to his days as an All-Star point guard for the Boston Celtics. Since nearly the beginning of his career, Rondo has had that reputation of turning it on in the postseason. That nickname resurfaced last April, when Rondo, before suffering a playoff-ending injury, led the eighth-seeded Bulls to a 2-0 series lead against the Boston Celtics while averaging 11.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 10 assists and 3.5 steals per game.
Now on the New Orleans Pelicans, “Playoff Rondo” has returned again this postseason, as Rondo helped his team to a sweep against the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers. In that first-round series, Rondo averaged 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 13.3 assists per game. Despite his continued postseason excellence, Rondo has taken exception with the “Playoff Rondo” moniker. From the New York Times’ Marc Stein:
Rajon Rondo of the Pelicans has a few words to say about a nickname that is generally meant to be complimentary. More than a few words, actually, when it comes to “Playoff Rondo.”
“I hate it,” Rondo said.
…
“There’s no such thing as ‘Playoff Rondo,’” Rondo insisted at the Pelicans’ practice facility this week during his first extended interview of the postseason.
…
“I’ve done what I’ve done in the past,” Rondo said. “I let my game speak for itself. I feel like, when I get a certain amount of minutes and when the coaches allow me to be me on the court, I’m Rondo. There’s no ‘Playoff Rondo.’”
He added: “Ask any player. You’re only as good as your coach allows you to be.”
If you’re searching for evidence to back up Rondo’s last statement, look no further than his brief and disastrous stint with the Mavericks in 2015; feuding with Rick Carlisle, he certainly didn’t look like “Playoff Rondo” in Dallas. Under coaches like Doc Rivers, Alvin Gentry and Fred Hoiberg, however, Rondo has been given freedom and flourished.
It cannot be denied that there is a difference in the playoffs, but that difference exists for all players. Every game means more, defenses are ramped up, each team has more time to analyze and gameplan against its opponent. Some players, like Rondo, thrive on that pressure more than others.
