When the Kings brought Rajon Rondo aboard this past summer, there was tangible excitement for the four-time NBA All-Star to suit up in the purple and black.
Though No. 9 has only played one season in Sacramento so far, he wasted no time making an impact, not only on the floor, but also on the franchise record books.
Rajon set new Sacramento-era marks for assists in a single game (22) and assists in a single season (839).
His total assists were a career-high and the most by any player in the NBA in 2015-16, marking the first time in Rondo’s career where he has led the League in that category – he led the League in assists per game during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, but not total assists. This was also the first time a Kings player has topped the Association in total assists for a season since Nate Archibald accomplished it back in 1972-73.
Additionally, Rajon’s six triple-doubles during his 2015-16 campaign broke Chris Webber’s previous Sacramento-era record for most triple-doubles in a season (5).
On an individual level, this was one of the best statistical seasons for No. 9 to date. He scored 859 points, his highest total since scoring 1,110 in the 2009-10 season. After already topping his career high for assists, Rajon also grabbed a career-high 435 rebounds this season, good for an average of six per contest. Rondo started 72 games, the most by any Kings player this season, and the most he’s started since the 2009-10 campaign.
Key Moment
There have been a plethora of highlight passes and plays made by Rondo this season, but these two are perhaps the most notable.
Making a good pass to bypass the defense can be an art form, and if that’s the case, this dish by the Kings floor general belongs in a museum.
Rajon has long been known as one of the craftiest passers around, but No. 9 shocked everyone (especially Quincy Acy) when he threw down a dunk with authority against the New York Knicks.
Quotables
Kings TV Analyst Jerry Reynolds on Rondo’s play style: “In a nutshell, Rondo’s a basketball player playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers. He’s two or three moves ahead of most people." (Via Sacramento Bee)
Indiana Head Coach Frank Vogel on Rondo: “He’s one the most gifted players, point guards in the game. There’s no player like him with the ability to pass the basketball. There’s no player like him in the NBA.”
DeMarcus Cousins on playing with Rajon: “It’s crazy – kind of get caught up watching him play. It’s just amazing to be able to watch that, just watch his efforts on a nightly basis. I don’t really have to say much – you guys see it.”
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