Will Rajon Rondo play in Game 5, and if so, will he be effective?
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So Woj has it that Rajon Rondo is trying to get ready to play in Game 5. Shocking. Say what you will about the guy, but his toughness can’t be questioned. But will he play? And if he does, will he be effective? He was the biggest reason the Bulls won the first two games, and his return makes me nervous. – Tom P.
I’m with you on most of that, Tom — he’s tough as hell, he was Playoff Rondo in full force in the first two games, and with apologies to Isaiah Canaan, the Bulls are a much different and better team with him.
But if he plays — and I’m sure he’ll try, for this news surprises no one — I can’t imagine that he’s effective.
He’ll essentially be playing lefthanded, and only Larry Bird can pull that off among born righties. Plus, Marcus Smart will be whacking him on his hand every chance he gets, so he’s either going to be in tremendous pain or shot up like a Bash Brother. (Timely reference.)
Rondo has played through serious, even gruesome, injuries before. When his current teammate Dwyane Wade helpfully dislocated Rondo’s elbow during Game 3 of the 2011 Eastern Conference semifinals between the Celtics and Heat, Rondo not only returned to that game but also played in the final two games of the series. (The Celtics lost in five.)
This time, though, it’s his dominant right hand, and before you make jokes about how it might actually help his shot, he shot the same percentage from 3-point range as Doug McDermott did with the Bulls this year (37.6).
If he plays, he’s going to struggle in all offensive facets. I respect Playoff Rondo, but I suspect this injury is going to make him play like Hates Rick Carlisle Rondo.
Don’t sweat the comeback, I say. How about you? Are you worried Rajon Rondo is about to tilt this series back in the Bulls’ direction? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
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