I concur. Like everyone keeps saying: Imagine if he [Rondo] shot better. Rondo would be something else entirely.
I wonder what would've been had Phoenix drafted and kept Rondo and he was now learning under Nash. I don't know, a player has to better his shooting deficiencies on his own. So, maybe Rondo would be the player he's now in either situation. But, I think Nash would relish the opportunity to pass the torch to Rondo if he were his teammate.
Like Nash, Rondo didn't enter the NBA with a lot of fanfare either.
The Suns actually took Rondo with the 21st overall pick in the 2006 draft, but dealt him on draft night to Boston with Brian Grant for a future first-round pick. Rondo averaged just 11.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during his sophomore season at Kentucky, his final year with the Wildcats, and was far from an All-American.
"I've always been an underdog," Nash said. "So I'm sure he's the same way. He probably has that mentality, too, where he always has to prove something. I think that helps. He has a lot of great tools and as he develops that mentality is what will allow those tools to develop."
"I knew the type of skills he had and what he brought to this level," Nash said about Rondo. "But you never know how it turns out. I'm impressed. I'm greatly impressed with the way he's improved every season. And it looks like he is going to continue to improve."
Along with being underdogs, Nash says the other things that he and Rondo have in common are "unselfishness and teamwork." On the flip side, Nash also noted that Rondo is a "phenomenal athlete" and they play "a different way." But one advantage Nash has over Rondo is an intimidating 3-point shot and a reputation for hitting big shots.
Rondo hits only occasional 3-pointers and his mid-range jumper isn't considered a sure thing. He does, however, have the required work ethic and has listened to teammate Kevin Garnett's advice by taking extra jump shots after every practice. If Rondo somehow can get a jumper close to Nash's and similar consistency with his play, he instantly would be spoken about in the same breath with the NBA's two top young point guards, Chris Paul and Deron Williams.
When asked what Rondo could learn from Nash, Celtics coach Doc Rivers said, "I'll take [Nash's] shot. That's pretty good. Really, every night Steve's agenda is to make his teammates better. And he does it every night. He does it some nights by scoring and passing. Other nights he decides to be a ball mover and does it. But that's what Nash does every single night. He always does that.
"I love his game," Nash said. "He's not a shooter yet. But I think he can develop that and the rest of his game is great. He's a terrific athlete. Terrific defender. Unselfish. He's a winner. His passing has improved. He does all the little things. I'm a big fan of his game."
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball ... od/?page=2