Los Angeles Lakers: Rajon Rondo…what did this guy do to you?

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Rajon Rondo isn’t well liked by some people, but for what reason?

Rajon Rondo represents a lot of things to Los Angeles Lakers fans and media alike. Some, like me, see him as a low-risk high, reward player that fits the description of what LeBron James wants surrounding him going into this season. Others see his one year, $9 million contract as a cap space holder in case of potential trade deals (think Kawhi Leonard around the trading deadline if Toronto can’t keep him).

Others, like Rob Pelinka, Magic Johnson and Luke Walton, see him as a valuable tool to further enhance the culture of the franchise. No matter the reason, I see over and over again how his signing is looked down on by so many people. It leads me to ask…

Why does so many people hate so much on this guy? Why so much criticism on his signing?

The boss has said nothing but positive reviews to the guys giving out the contracts, that being Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka.

She said so herself to Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN.

"“Magic and Rob, they were really prepared and did their homework, where I think maybe the previous regime was a little bit more roll the dice and then react,” she said. “We had our best case scenario, but there was a plan B and a plan C and a plan D and E”"

Okay, so the Rondo plan was not spitting into the wind and not being surprised that it didn’t come back and hit you in the face. I mean this regime got LeBron James and I am assuming that in his meeting with LeBron he wanted a little feedback on how the team was constructed before he signed his contract.

…or would you want to continue with what has happened in the past with the prior front office with different results…more of Ms. Buss talking to Ramona Shelbourne…

"“We’d gone into a free agency with no coach,” she said. “How are you going to convince somebody to come if you don’t know who the coach is going to be? And they [the previous regime] were like, “Well, they’ll have feedback into who the coach would be.“I’m like, “‘What if you can’t get the one that they want?’ I didn’t understand or like that process.”"

Okay so let’s see, I am going to go out on a limb and say that Jeanie Buss, who is the overall leader of the Lakers, is on board with Rajon Rondo’s signing, cool.

Well, let’s see what the Los Angeles Lakers are getting for $9 million this season besides cap space. Rajon Rondo has on his resume:

He is a four-time NBA All-Star, who has led the league in assists three times (in 2012, 2013 and 2016).

He was the starting point guard for two Boston Celtics Finals teams. Lakers fans got to see him a lot, both teams played the Lakers in 2008 and 2010.

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He was named to the All-NBA third team in 2011-12

He has earned four NBA All-Defensive awards (first team twice).

He ranks 11th all-time in triple-doubles with 31 and 10 in the playoffs.

That’s not worth a risk?

Did you see Rajon Rondo’s playoff performance with the New Orleans Pelicans last year? Did you see the “Bully Ball” job he and Jrue Holiday put on the more heralded backcourt of C.J. McCollum and All-Star Damian Lillard?

Let me see how that turned out…oh yeah, a sweep. Not worth a risk? The Pelicans even got a game against the champs before bowing out. Rajon Rondo had in that game about…let me see…21 assists.

Remember what Rondo did in Chicago? It seems that he seems to really shine in the playoffs. The Chicago Bulls were the eighth seed going against the Boston Celtics. The Bulls lost 4-2 in that series. Funny coincidence though…

When Rondo played, the Bulls were killing the Celtics. Then he broke his thumb and was out of the playoffs. The Bulls got ran out the playoffs losing four straight AFTER his injury.

I’m going to go with the Lakers front office here.

For the section that does not agree with the signing and questioning the decision, okay Rajon Rondo does provide a lot of history to back up your fears.

Rajon Rondo is an acquired taste if you will when you are putting together a team. Rondo does have a shelf life before he lets it be known that there are things that he is not cool with. Plus he is known to carry a grudge or two. It has happened at almost every stop in his career.

In Boston…

At the end of his tenure, Rondo did put on the impression that defense was not at the top of his priority list. When Brad Stevens was brought in as coach Rondo did not make it easy for him when he tried to implement his system and identity for the team. That might have gotten him a ticket out of town to Dallas

In Dallas…

If there are doubts, okay Rondo’s five-month disaster is the strongest argument. The word quit floated around Rondo as he and head coach Rick Carlisle did not get along and offensive chemistry suffered when he was on the floor. Remember that mysterious back injury he had in the playoffs after he was benched? Did you believe that? Me neither.

In Chicago…

Remember the playoff performance I mentioned earlier? Cue Drake’s cut…”Started From The Bottom” because it applies here. Rajon Rondo played his way out of the rotation, got suspended, and called out Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade all in the same year! But somehow things worked out to get in the playoffs. Have the Bulls made the playoffs since? Who the point guard? That’s my point.

This is going to work because the Lakers laid out exactly what they expect from Rajon Rondo. That is the only way any team can co-exist. Rondo does not work well with dysfunction. When Boston was winning, they had veteran leadership which provided structure for the franchise. Rondo knew what he was getting. When Boston changed coaches, there was change and Rondo did not adjust well.

In Dallas, the offense did not fit for Rondo and he never caught up with the schemes.

In Chicago, Fred Hoiberg was a young coach that needed to find himself with a front office that changed its mission statement every week. The “Big Three” of the playoffs being Jimmy Butler. Dwyane Wade and Rondo, the trio that was killing the Celtics in the playoffs were gone months later. Rondo does not operate well in these environments.

I think we all can agree that the Lakers front office does not have these problems.

Rondo has been in the league for years and his career is winding down. He has to know that, he is being brought in to mentor the young players for the future. He’s doing that. Let the man live…

If you don’t believe me…Let Luke Walton tell it…

Press play!!! Then let Rajon Rondo play!!!

Please.