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Rondo Spreads His Wings To Atlanta
On Saturday, after a two-year stint, Rajon Rondo officially departed from the Lakers, signing a 2-year, $15 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks. This is Rondo's sixth team. The Los Angeles Clippers were said to be interested in the 15-year vet's services as well. As stated earlier, Rondo was somewhat pedestrian in the regular season, averaging 7.5 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 steals in 20.5 minutes per game (48 games and 3 starts). He also missed 23 games due to injuries, including the first round against the Portland Trail Blazers with a broken thumb.
However, he was able to return in the second round against the Houston Rockets and his impact was invaluable. In 16 postseason games, he averaged 8.9 points, 6.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He also upped his 3-point shooting from 32.8 percent in the regular season to 40 percent in the playoffs, and his overall shooting from 41.8 percent to 45.5 percent. Before his signing, Rondo gave a heartfelt thanks to the organization, fans and teammates.
Final Analysis
Schröder has been consistent as a starter and 6th man during the course of his career, and he figures to add more depth and some excitement to an already dynamic and dominant Lakers team featuring LeBron James and Anthony Davis. But he will have big shoes to fill. Rajon Rondo is a two-time NBA champion who has a résumé of brilliant play, winning and unrelenting (and sometimes grating) leadership. Perhaps it is even a Hall of Fame résumé. "Doe" is one of only two players (Clyde Lovellette in the 50s and 60s) in NBA history to win a championship each with the fierce and historic rivals Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. Lovellette won as a Minneapolis Laker, so technically Rondo is the first to win in Boston AND LA.
