'Hold onto Rajon Rondo' is the ultimatum for the Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo (file photo)

The young duo did offer a glimpse of their much talked about talents but the Knicks battering of the Celtics in the playoffs only evinced how much the franchise needs Rondo as its starting point guard. It further illustrated if the Celtics could ever cope up persistently without the team’s cardinal player in defense.

The Kentucky product also offers more than just experience and stability on the backcourt. In a team with no player but him assured a spot in the 2014 All-Star team, Rondo could well be the quintessential option in leading this team to a playoff spot in 2013-14 or 2014-15. He could also mentor incoming draftees, given he, too, underwent that sprouting stage early in his career.

Rajon Rondo has redefined the Celtics’ this past season as much as the franchise defined him when he burst into the scene in 2006. 2012-13 particularly signalled the genesis of the era of Rondo at Boston, and to trade him just a year later to certify a relatively measly tag of rebuilding is nonsensical.

For Brad Stevens’ appointment to be attributed with success, it matters as much as to hold onto some sort of experience, which Rajon Rondo provides in abundant.

Moreover, the young tandem of players being added onto the roster need someone to look up to – a pivotal dimension Rondo adds to the team.

When the Brooklyn Nets signed Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry and Paul Pierce from the Boston Celtics, the millstone was upon Danny Ainge to assemble a roster that encompasses the balanced traits the trio offered. The most crucial element was the clutch factor which Pierce and Garnett were dubbed as specialists in, and Jason Terry demonstrating no less. The same could be said about Ray Allen, arguably the greatest three-pointer shooter in the fourth quarter if not in the game itself.

But what the Celtics lost in the fourth quarter with the departures of Garnett, Pierce, Allen and Terry, Rondo makes it up with his dexterity at the point guard position. With the calibre to wrap up games single-handedly, Rajon Rondo could be the best bet should the Celtics attempt to scourge anything in the last 12 minutes of the game.

Rondo is accustomed to the heat he faces from defenses stringently guarding him throughout the games whereas the rest of the Celtics lineup cannot be accredited with the same.

Today’s NBA frequently sees games go to the final hurdle in the fourth and this make-or-break factor can easily prove decisive if the Celtics are to boast a winning record.

The legions of Celtics’ fans have been content with the team being post-season florets but there is a sudden epiphany that the team is seeking to bolster its squad chiefly through the draft.

But instead of marring itself with abysmal performances on the court thanks to no real authentic savoir-faire in either backcourt or frontcourt, the Bostonian franchise should aim to hold onto Rondo and compete in the highest level possible – at least for the gospel of Red Auerbach’s wisdom at The Garden.

The draft is where the future is for Boston but the cynosure of its success will be revelling around Rajon Rondo’s ingenuity.

“Hold onto Rajon!” is the ultimatum for the most decorated franchise in NBA history.