I firmly believe that "IF" DAL falters in the playoffs OR don't make the playoffs, Rajon Rondo will be only a SMALL part of the blame.
BUT - he will take the brunt of the blame, from some DAL fans and from some Celtics fans, too.
Some won't look at the fact that their awful defensive ranking (like in the upper 20's ranking, as per the Starters on NBATV) went up to like top 5 once Rondo got onboard.
Some will give Irk Nowitzki (As in NO "D") a free pass. He's DAL, and can do no wrong, unfortunately. Some will ignore that even when Irk was in his prime, he was perhaps an AVERAGE defender, at best.
Some will give the coach a free pass. It is the coach's responsibility to make sure the pieces fit.
Some will give Chandler Parsons a free pass. He is no defensive stalwart, either. BUT - he can score, which enamors him to some.
So, you have Irk and Parsons as your Book-End Forwards, and Tyson Chandler in the middle. He and Rondo are "IT" for defense for DAL. Tyson still has a lot to offer, but certainly his window is closing. He is NOT the Tyson from 10-11.
So, if the unfortunate happens, Rondo will be the whipping boy. LarBrd33 and a few others
will be hovering overhead, like vultures waiting for the injured/hurt to succumb. He will catch flak from CBlog AND DAL, of course.
And Irk will get a free pass.
For me, I wish Rondo the very best, and will definitely appreciate the good times in Green (and hopefully in BLUE, too)
And THIS STARTING FIVE never lost a series.