I don't bash Rondo, but I don't agree that assimilating his mood to Bird, Russell, KG is appropriate.
These are intense players, yes. They could press buttons, yes. But they also know how to lead. They know how to prop guys up when the time is right. They knew how to get the best out of teammates. Their peers look up to them, admire them.
Rondo's not there yet in the locker room or on the court. He's still immature in a variety of ways. He's still selfish in a variety of ways. He takes plays or even games off... mails 'em in. He pouts. He's passive-aggressive with teammates. Refs hate him because he's too bitter in arguing calls. Meanwhile, the other team is score in the other direction.
The organization -- including Pierce and KG -- has gone out of its way to try to make him a / the leader, and so far he's failed that test -- concerning considering he's in his 7th year.
Is he tough? Yes. Is he a leader? No. And this element -- considering how much he dictates the Cs success when he's on the floor -- is at least in part responsible for the more energized basketball you're seeing from the Cs since his injury.
I see no fault in calling this out. I, for one, won't homer my way into thinking that Rondo is a better contributor, leader or player than he actually is.