SLAM Hardwood Classics Youth Cover Tee - Rajon Rondo (SLAM 145)

What is leadership? Is leadership best in the hands of brash, self-serving showboats who exclusively toot their own horns? Or is leadership more safe in the hands of the measured, humble and quiet, who spend years studying before making their moves? 

The perfect answer may never exist for such a personal question. Responses will always vary from person to person, from the one asking to the one responding. It’s a question that needs to be asked, though, especially in regards to a basketball team. 

These days, the NBA has ballooned into something of a traveling circus. Long gone are the days of 12 players and a few coaches. Today, traveling parties often consist of 50-plus people per team. Leadership is key. It’s too many egos to be left unchecked. Dissonance can run rampant between multiple assistant coaches, doctors, strength and conditioning specialists, and finally, the players. 

And though the perfect leadership style can’t realistically be captured by any one person, Rajon Rondo tried his best to steer the Boston Celtics herd with an approach all his own. 

By the time SLAM 145 had dropped in March of 2011, Rondo was averaging an absurd 13.8 assists per game. His teammates knew in their bones that he would find them. Sometimes, he would know they were gonna break free from the defense even before they knew it themselves. His passing vision was historic, by every metric and by every clip of footage. 

The more unquantifiable part of his authority could only be seen in glimpses. A look to Kevin Garnett; “I got you next play, big fella.” A hand around Paul Pierce’s waist; “I know you just hit two in a row so I’m coming to you again, Truth.” A wordless high five for Ray Allen. A solitary huddle with Doc Rivers; “I know how to shut off their water, Coach.” 

Rondo was everywhere at once, physically and mentally. He never made any excuses, he just made everyone better. 

SLAM 145’s cover image couldn’t have crystallized that moment in time any better than by having Rondo in the middle of a behind-the-back pass. The issue’s cover story sums up Rondo’s leadership with a quote from Allen: 

“Rondo affects the game more all-around than any guard I’ve ever played with.”

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