When we got Garnett and Ray Allen there was all this talk about each of the big three sacrificing a part of their game for the greater good. Primarily this meant each of the big 3 would score fewer points.
Rondo detractors (including Gary Payton) have accused Rondo of being worthless when not playing with hall of fame caliber players. The only reason he's any good, they say, is he's playing with such great scores and such a great defender (Garnett).
Rondo fans like myself, however, have seen that Rondo has been "sacrificing" his game almost all along, just like the members of our big 3. In other words, on a team like Memphis or Ok.City, Rondo would have been scoring a great deal more all along, while probably having much fewer assists.
With Garnett out, Rondo is forced to be more assertive, and those of us who've been his fans from the beginning (remember MikeD...remember Tommy H. way back saying Rondo could make the hall of fame one day) have sensed that he had this extra gear. Rondo's was born to sacrifice his game for the greater good, but right now they need him to take over the game, and he's doing just that.
So Garnett's injury has hastened Rondo final coming out party (the detractors now crying in mud puddles bemoaning their poor scouting abilities) and made his value skyrocket. Ainge, recognizing Rondo's value, would have paid him a big salary anyway, but I do think the extra offense brought about by Garnett's offense will add up to a few more million per year....