Los Angeles Lakers: 4 players who play better in the postseason

Lakers better in the playoffs: Rajon Rondo

I’m sure Lakers fans are tired of hearing about playoff Rondo being leaps and bounds better than regular season Rondo, but the reality is that the stats do indicate he takes big jumps in the playoffs.

In the playoffs, Rajon Rondo gets 21 percent more minutes than his regular-season average, and averages 37 percent more points, 30 percent more rebounds, 12 percent more assists, and a 200 percent better box plus/minus (1.3 to 3.9).

He takes his regular-season career average from 10.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 8.3 assists to 14.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 9.3 assists in the playoffs.

Here’s the major catch, though — Rondo last saw significant playoff minutes in 2018 with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he played a total of 302 minutes. Before that, his last significant playoff exposure was in 2012.

Can we trust that the playoff Rondo of old even still exists? Or has Rondo aged out of that explosive ability to change games in a pinch?

I’d venture that in all likelihood, Playoff Rondo has lost a step. He’ll also be just returning to play after five months away from real game situations due to his recently fractured thumb. It’s going to be too tall a task to expect Rondo to make the jump this postseason for the Lakers. That’s if he even finds a way back in the rotation upon his return.