Thunderous Intentions
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NBA Free Agency: Could Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook coexist on Thunder?

By Alex Mcewen

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 04: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors react druing an altercation in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on May 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MAY 04: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans and Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors react druing an altercation in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on May 4, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – MAY 4: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans passes the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – MAY 4: Rajon Rondo #9 of the New Orleans Pelicans passes the ball against the Golden State Warriors in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2018 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

On point passing:

Rajon Rondo’s passing would be greatly welcomed on the OKC Thunder. Since Russell Westbrook was the only Thunder player to register 3,000 or more passes during the 2017-18 season.

The NBA began tracking passes per game at the beginning of the 2013-14 season the OKC Thunder has ranked in the bottom five every season since.

In the above clip, Rondo shows off his laser passing skills by whipping the ball to Nikola Mirotic for an easy deuce.

Near genius basketball IQ

If there were an IQ test to measure basketball IQ Rajon Rondo would likely rank in the genius range. Quality basketball IQ is lost among young guard in today’s era, whereas Rondo’s basketball knowledge rivals the likes of Chris Paul and LeBron James.

In the above play Rondo fires a pass to Anthony Davis so quickly it literally left Steph Curry‘s head swiveling. The play developed quickly, Rondo taking a lay-up would have been sufficient, dishing to AD was the correct basketball play and more efficient shot.

Unwillingness to listen

The reason Rondo’s time in Dallas abruptly ended was due to the fact he and Rick Carlisle butted heads. Rondo is an extension of the head coach on the floor, when point guard and coach are on the same page its beautiful. When they are not things can get ugly very quickly.

It is widely documented that players have ample freedom from the coaches on the OKC Thunder. Therefore, Rondo would likely fit in quite nicely with the team.

Dominant personality

Rondo may be older, yet he still brings a dominant voice to an NBA locker room. Russell Westbrook is Oklahoma City’s undisputed leader, would Rondo be okay taking a back seat to Russ? Probably not, considering Rondo started in 63 out of 65 games he appeared in and played 99-percent of his minutes at point guard.

Conversely, Jrue Holiday played only 1-percent of his minutes at point guard. For reference, Holiday played 63-percent of his minutes at point during the 2016-17 season.

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