Celtics, Rondo agree to 5-year extension
The Boston Celtics and point guard Rajon Rondo agreed to a five-year extension worth $55 million, per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe.
With an increase in minutes every year, Rondo has increased his assists per game averages every year: 3.8 (rookie season), 5.1 (2007-08), 8.2 (last year) and 11.8 early this year.
He's currently second in the league in assists (11.8) and tied for third in steals (2.5) per game through four games. Tonight the Celtics play the Sixers in Philadelphia.
“Sure you go into the free agent market and maybe he could have earned more money,’’ [Rondo's agent Bill] Duffy said yesterday. “The grass is always greener on the other side. But I also look at this as his second contract and he’ll be in his prime when this contract expires, so there’s still more ahead. If we were shortsighted, maybe we go to a better situation, perhaps more money. But if it’s not the right fit, you’ll suffer later.’’Rondo was drafted with the 21st overall pick (by the Phoenix Suns) in the 2006 NBA Draft.
“When I first saw him on film, [president of basketball operations Danny Ainge] brought in a highlight tape and there were no highlights,’’ [coach Doc] Rivers said. “A lot of rebounding and pushing the ball up the floor but I haven’t seen a shot made. We were almost laughing at it. Early on in practice, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I hope Danny saw something [I didn’t]’. But as it went on, you can see it more and more. He does so many little things. And you knew for him to be great, you had to get better players around him.’’
With an increase in minutes every year, Rondo has increased his assists per game averages every year: 3.8 (rookie season), 5.1 (2007-08), 8.2 (last year) and 11.8 early this year.
He's currently second in the league in assists (11.8) and tied for third in steals (2.5) per game through four games. Tonight the Celtics play the Sixers in Philadelphia.
