It’s moments like these that make you realize why teams would want Rajon Rondo.
The enigmatic point guard is having a bit of a renaissance this year with the Sacramento Kings, and he showed his value again on Thursday night during the closing seconds of Kings-Hawks. With the Hawks trailing 3 points and inbounding the ball, Rondo understood the situation — they needed a 3-pointer — and instructed teammate DeMarcus Cousins to go guard nobody in the corner.
Cousins listened to him.
It seems counterintuitive — you can see Cousins staring at Rondo like what now? — but it makes all the sense in the world. Rondo knew the Hawks needed a 3-pointer. So he put himself on the inside and then tried to set up a loose zone on the perimeter to defend against any 3.
Rondo may be an a-hole, but the dude knows the game.
Keep an eye on the Kings. They just slide into the 8th spot in the West. Rondo’s averaging close to 12 dimes and Cousins is averaging 26 ppg.
