I am not that worried about the finger. They can protect the finger so he can play but the question is how much will the protection interfere with his game. It is his left hand so that helps. They will have had a few weeks of practice to see how well he plays with whatever protection he will have to start the year. I don't see any need to hold him out until he doesn't need the protection. I am fine with putting him out there and I don't see this as any big hero thing. Sure, there are some players that would elect to sit over playing with a bad finger but you see guys out there with broken noses and other things all the time. Good for Rondo.