Okay...one way to discuss this is to break down his skills and weaknesses. Of course, we're really all homers that place a high value on our own guys (keepin' it real here-we all do it).
Another way is to rank PG's and see if Rondo is the top-5 that he and DA thought he was when extending him last year, or at least top-10 to be above average. Of course, just looking at assist numbers is a very limited way to rate a player, so we should look at other things, too, right?
(side note: convenient that Rondo got top-5 PG money right before so many extremely talented young PG's emerged this year, eh?).
Some that should probably get top-10 consideration are:
Deron Williams
Chris Paul
Chauncey Billups
Jason Kidd
Steve Nash
Russell Westabrook (a beast)
Darren Collison
Andre Miller
Jameer Nelson (once again healthy, he's as good as any)
Tony Parker
Derrick Rose
Stephen Curry
Baron Davis
Aaron Brooks
And, of course, Rondo.
No question Rondo isn't the best. Is he top-5? Maybe, but I really don't think so. Top-10? I'm really not so sure, let's say it's debatable. There are some players that are "different" but not necessarily "better" or "worse" that I'd just as well take, meaning they're just as effective.
He's a lock for top-15, though. I guess that makes him above average?
[explanation: I don't give THAT much credit for his assist numbers since it's come at the expense of ball movement, IMHO]
He's not top 10 PG?
He's third in the NBA in assists per game
He's first in the NBA in steals per game
He's fifth in the NBA in PER amongst PGs
He's 4th in the NBA in assist percentage
He's fifth amongst PGs in rebounding rate
He's 4th amongst PGs in Estimated Wins Added
He's 7th in the league in assist to turnover ratio
He's 4th in the league in assist per minutes
He's 1st in the league in FG% amongst ALL guards
He's 4th in the league in 2 pt FG% amongst ALL guards
He's sixth amongst PGs in eFG%
He is amongst a group of 4 current starting PGs with a world Championship ring
He's 24 years old
And given all that you think he's not in the top 10?
I say Paul, Nash, Williams and Kidd are ahead of him
Parker and Billups can both be said to have a very good argument to be fifth in the league along with Rondo but based on this year, I say Rondo is probably fifth, 6th the absolute lowest