Players of all sports are superstitious, basketball players included. Think about a player's pregame routine, or their demeanor at the free throw line. It's all about repetition. It's about developing a consistency that leads to success. But sometimes, despite the routine, players struggle.

Rajon Rondo is a perfect example. He's had some very good games in his short stint as a Dallas Maverick, as well as some pretty bad games. Here's a breakdown of his basic game-by-game stats.

RONDO GAME BY GAME Opponent Headband? Pts Ast Reb TO FGM-FGA FG% Spurs No 6 9 7 4 3-11 27.2% Hawks No 13 11 4 3 6-15 40% Suns No 13 8 6 5 6-14 42.8% Lakers Yes 21 7 8 4 10-17 58.8% Thunder Yes 15 7 6 2 7-17 41.2% Wizards Yes 11 5 1 3 4-10 40% Celtics No 29 5 6 2 12-19 63.2% Cavaliers Yes 4 8 4 1 2-6 33.3% Nets No 2 14 10 1 1-13 7.7% Pistons No 6 8 6 7 3-7 42.9% Clippers Yes 2 8 3 1 1-11 9.1% Kings Yes 21 7 5 3 10-16 62.5% Nuggets DNP - - - - - - Nuggets No 2 8 9 5 1-6 16.7% Grizzlies No 6 1 3 2 3-8 37.5% Timberwolves No 9 3 1 2 4-10 40.0% Total 160 109 79 45 73-180 40.1% Average 10.7 7.3 5.3 3 4.9-12 40.1%

So some games stand out. The Celtics and Kings games are probably his two best, while his outings against the Clippers and Grizzlies probably stand out as two of his worst. Now, Dallas is 11-5 since Rondo came aboard (11-4 in games Rondo has played). He needed some time to adjust, and probably still needs more time to get fully comfortable (see: Chandler Parsons). But, there's a very clear trend developing already. I started noticing it when our fearless leader tweeted this, about a month ago.

Rondo w/out headband: 11 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 38% shooting Rondo w/ headband: 21 points, 7 assists, 8 rebounds, 59% shooting — Tim Cato (@tim_cato) December 27, 2014

Interesting. But it's probably just one of those things that will balance out over time, right? Maybe. But let's take a closer look. Below are the six games where Rondo has worn a headband.

RONDO W/ HEADBAND (6 GAMES) Opponent Pts Ast Reb TO FGM-FGA FG% Lakers 21 7 8 4 10-17 58.8% Thunder 15 7 6 2 7-17 41.2% Wizards 11 5 1 3 4-10 40% Cavaliers 4 8 4 1 2-6 33.3% Clippers 2 8 3 1 1-11 9.1% Kings 21 7 5 3 10-16 62.5% Total 74 42 57 14 34-77 44.2% Average 12.3 7 9.5 2.3 5.7-12.8 44.2%

So, he's averaging about 12 points, 9.5 boards and seven assists per game, is shooting at a 44% clip and is protecting the ball well. The Mavs are also 5-1 in games where Rondo wears a headband. If you'll notice, those are all (except for the assists) pretty substantially better than his overall averages. On the other hand, look at what happens when he doesn't wear a headband.

RONDO W/OUT HEADBAND (9 GAMES) Opponent Pts Ast Reb TO FGM-FGA FG% Spurs 6 9 7 4 3-11 27.2% Hawks 13 11 4 3 6-15 40% Suns 13 8 6 5 6-14 42.8% Celtics 29 5 6 2 12-19 63.2% Nets 2 14 10 1 1-13 7.7% Pistons 6 8 6 7 3-7 42.9% Nuggets 2 8 9 5 1-6 16.7% Grizzlies 6 1 3 2 3-8 37.5% Timberwolves 9 3 1 2 4-10 40.0% Total 86 67 52 31 39-103 37.9% Average 9.6 7.4 5.8 3.4 4.3-11.4 37.9%

I mean, that's a dramatic drop in almost every category. He's averaging almost three points and four rebounds less, per game, while his shooting percentage plummets seven percent.This is all despite the fact that his best game as a Maverick happened sans headband.

It's interesting though, that his assist numbers tick up slightly. Perhaps he realizes that he's not going to have a good shooting night, so he looks to facilitate more. Meanwhile, Dallas is 6-3 when Rondo doesn't wear a headband. Here's a final tally.

Rajon Rondo Pts Ast Reb TO FG% w/ headband 12.3 7.0 9.5 2.3 44.2% w/out headband 9.6 7.4 5.8 3.4 37.9%

So Rajon, please keep wearing your dang headband.