Point is, Rondo remains hungry for more

By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff  |  October 30, 2008

The Nike deal was recently inked. He just moved into a beautiful home in the city. The Big Three listen intently to him. And after just two NBA seasons, Rajon Rondo already has a championship ring.

It would be easy for the average 22-year-old to become complacent and get an inflated ego with such quick accomplishments. Such, however, isn't the case for Rondo, who is wise beyond his years. There's no question he's confident, which is a must to do what he's done. But he's also hungrier for more, humble, and knows hard work is needed to make more happen.

"The kid never gets too high or too low," said Doug Bibby, who coached Rondo at Louisville (Ky.) Eastern High and attended the Celtics' season-opening win Tuesday over Cleveland. "When he struggled during his rookie year, he didn't get too low. When he won an NBA championship, he didn't get too high. He gets that from his mom. He's mature.

"He's no different. He's the same kid he was when he went into the league. Same work ethic. Nothing changes. He's not [saying], 'I am the man now.' But he's never had that attitude."

The biggest question entering last season for the Celtics was how Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen would adapt to playing together. The next question was whether Rondo, an unproven point guard, could lead the Celtics to a title. Garnett showed early confidence in Rondo by saying he would be a superstar one day. And Rondo never seemed worried about the challenge.

Rondo exceeded expectations by averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game last season. He earned the honor of starting for the sophomore team in the Rookie Challenge during All-Star Weekend, after not making the rookie team the year before. And he was the floor general for a team that won the Celtics' first title in 22 years. Rondo will be rewarded by tomorrow's deadline when the Celtics exercise his contract option for the 2009-10 season, and will likely get a lucrative, long-term extension next summer.

"He's a big part of our team," said Celtics president Danny Ainge. "He's young. He's got a brain. At his age, doing what he's doing right now, tells you how special he is."

The only question surrounding Rondo now is how will he improve on his breakthrough season?

On the first day of training camp in Newport, R.I., he was asked about the backup point guard battle between Eddie House, Sam Cassell, and Gabe Pruitt. Rondo responded by saying he was working hard every day to ensure he didn't lose his starting job to one of them.

"I just want to go out there and just defend my position," Rondo said. "At the end of the day, it's a team effort. I'm rooting for Eddie, I'm rooting for Gabe, and I'm rooting for Sam. But we're competing."

The 6-foot-1-inch, 171-pound Rondo also said he had an individual goal in mind - and it wasn't to be named an All-Star for the first time. Rather, it was to be the first Celtics guard since the late Dennis Johnson 21 years ago to make the All-Defensive first team.

"It starts with my intensity on the court," Rondo said. "Be the leader out there on the defensive end. I know Kevin is the leader, but I want to be right beside him. If he's the leader, I want to be the next man. But it starts with me because I'm the point guard. I'm going to start picking up guys [defensively full court] every game and keep my conditioning up."

Rondo picked up where he left off last season with 14 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals in 30 minutes in the 90-85 win over the Cavaliers. His steal from newest Cavalier Mo Williams surely made ex-Celtic defensive great Satch Sanders smile from the stands.

"I'm just trying to be aggressive and get to the free throw line this year," said Rondo, who was 6 for 10 from the line Tuesday night. "I'm hoping I can get to the free throw line to be amongst the top five in this league. I know I don't shoot the ball as much, but with my speed I can create fouls and havoc for the defenses."

Allen already has noticed improvement from Rondo.

"Last year, he was reserved, trying to wait and see how things were, how people were going to attack him, and how things would be played," said Allen. "But now he knows how to attack when he's out there. We always said that if you have the ball, you've got to make it happen. Now he knows the plays. He's the director on the floor at all times.

"You can tell that he and [coach] Doc [Rivers] don't talk as much. Well, it's the first game, so it's hard to say what they will or won't do. But even [Tuesday] night, they didn't have a lot of dialogue. Last [season], Doc would say, 'Think this or think that.' He's somewhat graduated now where he has the reins a little more."

Rondo said the fact the Celtics won a championship with him at point guard makes everyone more confident in him, from Ainge to Rivers to his teammates.

"I felt really comfortable last year talking to them," Rondo said. "They were very receptive. Not a lot of cockiness or ego problems. That makes my job a lot easier when I need to tell them what to do sometimes."

Rondo proudly wore his championship ring in the locker room after Tuesday night's win. And when Rivers took a long look at it, Rondo said, "Yeah, you see it." And with Rondo's maturity, humility, and work ethic, it's easy to see a lot of great things happening in the future for this budding star without the stereotypical star attitude.

"I have to be [humble]," Rondo said. "I haven't done anything in this league. I got a championship, which is what a lot of people haven't done. But I want more. I want to be like the '68-69 team and win back-to-back titles. I'm such a young point guard. I'm trying to get it done early."

Marc J. Spears can be reached at mspears@globe.com