Rajon Rondo is making his mark on the Pelicans, using his veteran presence and playmaking abilities to help the team, William Guillory of NOLA.com writes. Rondo missed the start of the season due to a sports hernia but is now drawing praise from his teammates for his teammates.
“I’ve said it many times, once Rondo is on the floor he makes the game easier for a lot of guys. He takes guys’ games to the next level,” DeMarcus Cousins said. “Since Rondo has been back, I think Jrue (Holiday) and E’Twaun (Moore)’s game has gone to the next level. Darius Miller, his game has gone to a whole other level. It’s just making the game easier for everybody.”
The Pelicans are currently in eighth place in the Western Conference with a 13-13 record. Rondo, 31, brings NBA championship experience and one of the most respected basketball minds in the NBA. As Cousins, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday and the rest of the team compete for the playoffs, Rondo is clearly establishing himself as a vital presence for the team.
Check out other news and notes from the Southwest Division:
- This season hasn’t gone smoothly for the Grizzlies as the team has endured the firing of head coach David Fizdale, a deteriorating relationship with All-Star Marc Gasol, and an 11-game losing streak, putting the team close to the Western Conference cellar. However, interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff thinks the team is trending in the right direction, Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal writes.
- Speaking of changes with the Grizzlies, the team hired former player Greg Bucker as an assistant coach, per Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal. Bucker has served as an analyst for FOX Sports and played for the Grizzlies during the 2008/09 season.
- After improved play — including recent wins over the Clippers and Nuggets — the Mavericks are starting to find their identity on both sides of the floor, Eddie Sefko of Dallas Sports Day writes.
Do you mean this season hasn’t gone smoothly for the Grizz?
obviously dude, learn how to read with context
Wow, mr sensitive over here doesn’t understand the context of sarcasm being used….
Fixed now, thanks.
When did the mavericks beat the celtics?
Celtics have lost to the cavs, bucks, heat, pistons and spurs. They’ve beat Dallas twice.
Yeah, Mavs played the Celtics tough a couple times, but no wins. I’ve edited that reference.
Uh, Celtics swept the Mavs.
Yeah, they play the Celtics tonight. Maybe someone has a working crystal ball.
No they don’t. Celtics don’t play at all. Neither do the Mavs. They played each other Thursday I think.