"The Big Three," "Drive for 17." With all the media attention focused on the two recently-added all-stars and the team's comeback this season, a young player's name may have gotten lost in the shuffle, Rajon Rondo. Sure, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and KG are the present heroes of the Celtics, but it's the young players like Rondo who are the future of this franchise. With his remarkable intelligence at the ripe age of 21, Rondo is a promising leader as point-guard for a team that will undoubtedly be successful in the playoffs for several more years. Look at where he's led his team so far. Although he makes some unwise decisions, this is to be expected from a second-year player. Some fans have criticized Rondo's inexperience as it was evident in game five of the finals against the LA Lakers. During one play, Rajon Rondo had an opening and took it to the paint, but instead of finishing, he dished the ball to Pierce for a jumper from beyond the arc, which missed.

But before we fault the young player for lack of confidence, let's remind ourselves of the circumstances in which he was asked to perform. Coming from the 2006-2007 season, Rondo's rookie year, Rajon was lost in the shadows, as was his team and all-star teammate, Paul Pierce; however, the franchise experienced a sudden turnaround, developing into one of the hottest teams in the NBA ignited by the addition of two more all-stars, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Suddenly, the celtics were catapulted to the number one spot in the Eastern conference, taking the upper hand on the Detriot Pistons which later awarded Boston homecourt advantage in the postseason games against this very team. Rajon was thrown into the starting lineup on a championship-caliber team, being the youngest and most inexperienced starter on the Celtics in the postseason. This is viable explanation for Rondo's "postseason jitters" responsible for the second-year player's lack of confidence.

Concerning in his lack of confidence is Rondo's shooting from beyond the paint and taking the open lay-up. In the clinch, he would rather make an unnecessary pass than take the open lane to the hole. But as his intelligence
sharpens, Rondo's confidence will build as well. With his rebound numbers surpassing those of many other "small men" in the league and the hustle we have had the pleasure to witness this past season, it is evident that this young player has all the tools to make it in this league, so long as he accepts the instructions from coaches and veteran players on how to use his tools. He has improved greatly from his rookie year to this past championship season; although, it doesn't hurt a point guard to be surrounded by all-stars. Rajon Rondo came into the league as an unselfish, agile, hard-working player. With impressve athleticism in pre-existence and his open mind-set, key components to a rising NBA star were already in place.  There is no doubt in my mind that, if he stays with this franchise and continues to work hard and improve, his number will someday hang from the rafters.