Into the Bears’ Den: Our ‘Hot Take’ NBA and Grizzlies predictions

Mike Parrott (@MikeParrott_)

Rajon Rondo will make an All-NBA team

First of all let’s get this out the way, have I ever been a secret Rondo fan? No. It’s never been a secret, Rondo in his prime was a top-three or even being the best point guard in the league. The last time he was in a full playoff series was 2012, when in my eyes became the best point guard in the league. Especially the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Heat when he averaged an obscene 20.9 PPG, 11.3 APG, 6.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG.

He took one of the best teams in the modern era to seven games and had to do everything for that team. I fondly remember watching the series on television and hearing Mike Breen saying “Rondo doesn’t only have to get a triple-double this game, he has to get a high scoring triple-double.” How many people have ever had that told to them?

Now what does this have to do with Rondo making the all-NBA team? This was four years ago and pre-ACL surgery. The big connector between these two teams is veteran leadership. Since that playoff series, he’s been on the Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings. On all of those teams they were lacking a veteran to put him in line. Dirk Nowitzki isn’t the kind of veteran who’s going to put you in his place, and the words “Sacramento Kings” and “veteran leadership” have never been in the same sentence.

This changes in Chicago. Dwyane Wade is essentially a 6’4” version of Kevin Garnett in terms of personality. Wade is going to be your best friend if you put in the same amount of effort as he does; but if you don’t, he’s going to put you in his place. And this couldn’t be any better for Rondo, he’s going to be getting back to his old intensity levels of being part of the “big four” in Boston. When Rondo puts his mind to it and plays at his full intensity, he puts up those 2012 ECF numbers.

Now in terms of stats, Rondo will always be in the top-two in assists and that’s not debatable. Now in terms of points, rebounds, assists and team record, all these should rise. His points should rise the least with his career high only being 13.7 and he’s coming off a 11.9 PPG season. His rebounds shouldn’t see any drop off and will stay at around 6 RPG with Chicago’s pace surely to soar with Rondo manning the point.

Team record is huge, though. This newly revamped Chicago Bulls team looks much better than last season’s counterpart that barely missed the playoffs with a 42-40 record. With major improvements at the point guard, center, and small forward positions, surely their record will also rise.

Overall, I see the Bulls winning at least 50 games (prediction being 52-30) with Rondo averaging 13.1 PPG, 12 APG, 5.7 RPG, and making the All-NBA third team while also being an All-star.