By Peter F. Stringer
Celtics.com
May 8, 2007
BOSTON - Rajon Rondo didn't get the opportunity to show his stuff in the first part of his rookie season, but he came on strong after the middle of January and today was named to the NBA's All-Rookie second team.
Rondo received one first-team vote and eight second team votes, giving him 10 points in the overall voting from NBA head coaches, who were asked to select five players for both the first and second team, regardless of position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players on their own teams.
Rondo averaged 6.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG and 3.8 APG, but emerged as one of the best ballhawks in the NBA. He led the entire league in steals per 48 minutes with an impressive 3.36 mark, and finished 4th in the steals per turnover (0.93) category. Overall, his 128 steals were good for 10th in the NBA despite playing just 23.5 minutes per game.
Brandon Roy, Andrea Bargnani, Randy Foye, Rudy Gay, Jorge Garbajosa and LaMarcus Aldridge were all named to the NBA's All-Rookie first team, while Paul Millsap, Adam Morrison, Tyrus Thomas, Craig Smith, Walter Hermann and Marcus Williams joined Rondo on the second team.
Fellow Celtics rookie Allan Ray also received one second-team vote.