Broussard: Rondo Could be MVP in 2013

[Kane3387]

It's an insider piece on the players he feels could prevent LeBron James from winning his 4th MVP trophy.

Here are his thoughts on Rajon Rondo and what he feels he needs to do to win it.

Rondo is not typically on most people's list of MVP candidates, but it could happen. The Celtics are clearly his team, and I love what they did this offseason. They had a strong draft in getting Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo. They added Jason Terry as a free agent, and Jeff Green and Avery Bradley will return from injury. Boston is going to contend in the East, and Rondo will be its engine.

To win the MVP award, he'll need to lead the Celtics to at least the second-best record in the East with a mark that is close to that of the Heat's. And he'll need to rack up several triple-doubles, lead the league in assists and score about 15 points a game, which would be a career-high. That's asking a lot, but if he can do it, he might be rewarded with the MVP award.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8293954/nba-other-mvp-candidates-besides-lebron-james

Other players he mentions are Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Kobe Bryant, and Carmelo Anthony.

[ManUp]

There's being in the conversation and then there's actually winning. Rondo would have to have a ridiculous assist season to make up for the lack of scoring. Rondo would have to put up Stockton numbers, 14/13/5 or something like that, while being dominant.

[Donoghus]

It'd be a huge uphill battle considering he's going up  against Lebron, Durant, and others.

Would love to see him in the conversation, though.   That would most likely mean the Celtics are playing extremely well.

[Finkelskyhook]

Every once in awhile Broussard trips over himself and says something lucid.

[KCattheStripe]

Well, now we know it won't happen.

[wahz]

Well, imho, he wins it outright if we have the best record and probably only then unless several obvious contenders have something go wrong with their season. Rajon can go 15-12 -4, improve his free throw shooting to 70+ and as the deepest team in basketball there is no reason for us to not win the most games.

[pearljammer10]

I think rondo is gonna put up big numbers this year. He's got Kevin and Paul carrying less of a load and young guys to coach and set an example for. If he brings it every night like he does in the playoffs he could easily win it. However this team is built for the postseason and I think he will save his energy for that. Plus the league and fans are infatuated with superstars who can sell, lebron Durant and Paul will be ahead of rondo regardless of his numbers unfortunately.

[heitingas]

Rondo coasts during regular season,saving himself for the playoffs. That's why he's a playoff performer.
Doubt this happens, I would love if he got voted to start the ASG though.

[Celtics18]

I guess it's in the realm of possibility, but the likelihood of Rondo getting the MVP award isn't high.

I do think he's the front runner for starting Eastern Conference All-Star point guard, though, with D. Williams being the main challenger, and Wall and Irving having an outside shot if they can lead their respective teams to winning records.

Being an All-NBA first teamer is within reach, as well, although there will obviously be some very stiff competition.

But, c'mon, Broussard, I thought it was just us wild eyed, delusional, green-tinted glasses wearing homers who considered Rajon Rondo one of the best players in the league.

[xmuscularghandix]

Agreed. If Rondo can average about 15-12-5 with a ton of triple doubles, and a top 2 seed for the Celtics... he would deserve the MVP.

[LooseCannon]

If Rondo is perceived as improving and the Celtics end up with the best record in the East, Rondo will get the lion's share of credit for the improvement in the team.  If he can couple that with some signature monster games on national television that single-handedly carry the team to victory against other contenders so that the perception is that on any given night, Rondo can match any other player in the league at their best, then, certainly, he would be talked about as an MVP.

It's not likely to happen, but it is certainly not so ridiculous that we aren't allowed to ponder "what if" scenarios.

[masteremile123]

Didn't Rondo have a bunch of triple doubles, lead the league in assists and been dominant with a horrible bench last year and no one to run with ? Yeah he will be fine.
Plus he is actually developing a shot , around the end of last season he was hitting mid-range jumpers consistently AND he was actually hitting 3s and actually shooting them (witch is really all he needs "confidence") so yeah Rondo winning mvp is not a long shot , actually his only competition are Lbj , Durant and Cp3.

[indeedproceed]

Rondo is a pretty big longshot for MVP, since he's behind for sure LeBron, Durant, Paul, Howard, Westbrook (Westbrook's numbers are way prettier, that matters)..

I'd say if his PPG can top 16 and he continues with 11-12 APG, he's got a shot. Celtics have got to do well, and he can't miss many games though. 

[Vermont Green]

Boussard's exact words were "it could happen".  To be honest though, I still think that KG is our most impactful player (just look at the plus/minus numbers for KG on the court vs. off).

KG is an MVP candidate (or should be) if he just stays healthy and doesn't wear down too much through the season.  In order for Rondo to be a legitimate MVP candidate, he would need to dramatically improve his shooting, forcing teams to defend him honestly.

In reality, it is not likely that any Celtic is the MVP becasue our success will come from balance and depth, not the individual performance of a single player.

[BballTim]

Rondo is a pretty big longshot for MVP, since he's behind for sure LeBron, Durant, Paul, Howard, Westbrook (Westbrook's numbers are way prettier, that matters)..

I'd say if his PPG can top 16 and he continues with 11-12 APG, he's got a shot. Celtics have got to do well, and he can't miss many games though.

  I don't think Rondo will win the MVP but he's finished higher in the voting that Westbrook has in each of the last 2 years, I doubt he's "for sure" behind him in the race.