Lebron: “I needed rondo.” Is Rondo now a hall of famer?

[CelticsElite]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30095439/nba-finals-biggest-takeaways-los-angeles-lakers-title-clinching-win-miami-heat

That day, James gave a lesson on where he was in his basketball life. He talked about how he had to have teammates who could think the game as well as play it. He name-checked one player twice: Rajon Rondo.

"Not only do you have to have the talent," James said, "you have to have the minds as well."

And he brought Rondo, the player he thought was vital to a championship team, with him.

2008


2010



2020
https://twitter.com/nbaspain/status/1315474101000048640?s=21

[SparzWizard]

Gross.

Honestly, if this wasn't a bubble season and all the NBA playoff teams had to actually travel to play their away games then IDK if the Lakers make it far. I don't know if the Clippers would choke a 3-1 lead. IDK if the Jazz would choke a 3-1 lead. IDK if the Celtics would have won all 4 road games in Toronto including Game 7, or if the Raptors winning all their games at the TD Garden. IDK if Miami would have faltered against the Bucks or Celtics on the road.

The bubble environment really increased the confidence of these role players like KCP, Tyler Herro, etc.

[tazzmaniac]

Gross.

Honestly, if this wasn't a bubble season and all the NBA playoff teams had to actually travel to play their away games then IDK if the Lakers make it far. I don't know if the Clippers would choke a 3-1 lead. IDK if the Jazz would choke a 3-1 lead. IDK if the Celtics would have won all 4 road games in Toronto including Game 7, or if the Raptors winning all their games at the TD Garden. IDK if Miami would have faltered against the Bucks or Celtics on the road.

The bubble environment really increased the confidence of these role players like KCP, Tyler Herro, etc.

Sour grapes.  Everybody played in the same environment.  Every team has role players who had the same opportunity to step up. 

[GreenlyGreeny]

“I needed AD to force that trade. Now instead of missing the playoffs, AD and I won a championship.”

[Roy H.]

He’s not close in my mind.

[cons]

his highs are really high - HOF discussion worthy

but i think overall his lows have outnumbered his highs , and his low in dallas was pretty bad - derailed that seaon for them.
 
so i don think overall he'll be in the HOF.

[Donoghus]

No, he's not.

[celts10]

I don't think so. His Celtics highs were great but the ACL injury really screwed him in the prime of his career.

When was the last time he was a top five point guard in this league? Like 2013?

[Vermont Green]

Rondo can be an important player on a championship team that has a number of actual stars, like the 2008 Celtics or the 2020 Lakers.  But Hall of Fame?  Not even close.

Glad to see him get another ring though.  In aggregate, he has had a nice career.  Good for him.

[KGs Knee]

Rondo getting another ring, as a vital contributor, is the only good thing to come out of these finals. I'll always be a huge fan of his and would love to see him don the green again.

I'm glad I didn't waste a single second of my time watching the finals though, I'd rather have just gouged my eyes out.

[Moranis]

Rondo has no where near the resume needed.  4 all star games, just 1 once All NBA and that was 3rd Team, though does have 4 All Defense Teams (2 each on 1st and 2nd team).  No awards.  He was at best the 3rd best player on the Lakers (at best) and was no better than 4th on the Celtics title team.  Did lead the league 3 times for apg and once for spg (which significantly boosts his HOF Probability - see below), but never was a scorer or efficient at what little scoring he had.  Solid rebounder, maybe even great for the position, but not uber elite. 

That said HOF Probability has him at 60.6%, which would probably put him in the HOF, but I just don't see it.  I mean Draymond Green has a better resume and he only has a 30.17% probability (Klay Thompson is 51.29% and I'd argue he has a better resume as well).  Kawhi is also at just 55.56% and he clearly would make the HOF before Rondo.  Rondo is getting a bit of a boost for longevity as well as those 4 stats leading the league, which is artificially making him seem like a better candidate than he actually is.  Rondo needs to do a lot more to make the HOF, though I do think he has a shot if he can remain an integral part of the Lakers and if they pick up another title or two.

And while Rondo played well in game 6, for the entire finals he averaged only 8.7/5.2/5.5 on 38.8% shooting.  It isn't like he was a menace for that series and really cemented himself or his candidacy.  He played well, but his level of importance to the series victory was like 2% and right around KCP in level of importance (Lebron was like 55%, Davis like 40%, and the rest of the team 5%).

[PhoSita]

I don't think his peak was high enough or sustained enough to get him there.  Yes he won a second title, but he did so as a role player coming off the bench.  He was never the best or even second best player on a title team. 

He also flamed out in several locations due to personality or conflicts with the coach.  That's bad for your legacy unless you're super duper talented.

[Who]

Nowhere close.

Two titles as a role player doesn't get you into the Hall.

He had a few All-Star caliber years in between but not many enough to warrant consideration here either.

[KGs Knee]

I mean, I love Rondo and all, but I don't see how he qualifies for the HOF.

Of course, there are probably worse players already inducted, so.....

[Big333223]

I'll add to the chorus that he's not a hall of famer.

What a bizarre career he's had. Remember when he led the NBA is assists on a 33 win Sacramento team?