Basketball Brothers: Rajon Rondo and Kawhi Leonard

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Throughout the NBA Playoffs it became quite evident that San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard shares similar characteristics to Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo. Both NBA stars have a similar upbringing in their NBA careers that not many people might’ve notice before. Both youngsters are like professional brothers from a different mother with their similar paths with their draft stories, rise to success, hands and more.

The Draft:

The genesis of the Leonard and Rondo comparisons starts at the NBA Draft. Starting with Rondo, as he was drafted with the 21st pick in 2006 by the Phoenix Suns and Leonard was drafted by the Indiana Pacers with the 17th pick in 2011. Both players were drafted by teams that could’ve used them mightily during their playoff runs. Phoenix could’ve had Rondo, Nash, Marion and Amar’e: who knows maybe Rondo was their missing piece. Leonard and Paul George on the same team would’ve been a defensive dream for Frank Vogel and a great tandem to watch, but those scenarios are just “What-ifs.” Now the two were both drafted low, and nobody could prognosticate the success that a low pick could have, and only few have prophetically predicted the success of both.

Big-3 + 1:

Both stars have spent a majority of their time with Hall of Fame players that have came in trios. In the case of Rondo he paired up with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett until the trio disbanded. Leonard since day 1 has been with Tony Parker, Manu Ginbili and Tim Duncan. He was automatically in a winning culture with one the best trios the league has ever seen. What Rondo and Leonard both have in common is that they both became intricate parts of their respective trios by finagling their way in and making it a “Big-3 +1.” Both Rondo and Leonard are/were part of aging trios and their development was vital, and luckily they evolved nicely each season to take less pressure of the codgers on their team. With their evolution, they became known as the future of their respective franchises and on the cusp of stardom.

Playoff Performances:

Reputations are made in the playoffs, and both Rondo and Leonard have done just that. On separate playoff occasions, both have galvanized the troops to perform at their best to succeed. Rondo over the years has become a guy that shows up for nationally televised games, and all playoff games are done that way. In 2009 against the Chicago Bulls, he averaged a triple-double and broke numerous triple-double records held by Larry Bird and Jason Kidd. The next year against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 he had 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson to do so. In 2011 Rondo had a triple-double with 20 assists against the New York Knicks in Game 3 and had the 2nd most triple-doubles that postseason with six. In the postseason subsequently after that he scored 44 against the Miami Heat and became the second Celtic to have a triple-double in a Game 7 joining only Larry Bird (came against Philly).

Now to be fair, Leonard hasn’t had many playoff opportunities to shine, but the 2014 NBA Finals was his arrival. Leonard single handily led the Spurs to their 5th championship. Between Game 3 and 5, is where we knew who he has as he averaged 23.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 2.0 blocks. His NBA 2K athleticism was on great display and were seeing him emerge before our very own eyes, and for a guy who didn’t have plays called for him, he did pretty well. His confidence has risen and the expectations have risen for years to come due to his magnificent postseason play and lockdown defense on LeBron James.

Personality:

Both Rondo and Leonard are known are the league and basketball community as quiet people who like to keep to themselves. Leonard for instance never really talked to the media, and many people became surprised when he talked, because for most it was their first time hearing his voice. He follows the mantra, “let your game do the talking.” Leonard has turned down numerous opportunities to talk at the podium and would let his teammates do the talking for him. Many people say he doesn’t even talk when he’s in public with the team away from cameras, but would only open his mouth when needed to. Basically Leonard is quieter than Duncan.

Rondo is the brother that’s quasi-quiet when he wants to but will have a little tantrum when he doesn’t get his way. Rondo was quiet when he entered the league but has gained more confidence and has at times lost his temper which equated him to being ejected. On the court he resembles a wild pitbull as he goes after everything insight. Off the court though, he’s completely different as he does much within the community and has been a recipient of NBA. Nonetheless, he is regarded as one of the more perplexing stars in the game today.

Hands:

Both these basketball brothers have enormous hands which makes them adroit with the ball. Leonard’s hands are 11.25 inches from pinkie to thumb and 9.75 inches long. Rondo’s hands are 9.5 inches long and 10 inches wide. On the court these two are defensive pests as they have an innate ability to garner a bevy of steals and turn them into easy baskets. Having hands like them, gives them to resolve to guard the opposing teams threat. Rondo’s hands help him guard the elite Point Guards in the NBA and Leonard’s help him against the elite Small Forwards – both positions are vital in the league. Both “brothers” have been selected to an All-NBA Defensive team in the past.

Confidence:

On the court both men are pretty confident in their abilities to perform at a high level. In the playoffs, Leonard became the Spurs’ No. 1 option without and offensive set for him. In the finals we seen him pull-up for threes during a fastbreak, get the ball at the wing and have an isolation set by his teammates so he could shoot or drive to the rim. At first his game was like little kid and was shy to do new things, but now that he has developed in three years, his game has reached “puberty” and he is slowly becoming a man. His “brother” Rondo’s confidence has become more noticeable each season as he has become more comfortable taking a jumpshot, after being excoriated by many on him taking that type of shot. The confidence of Rondo and Leonard has increased exponentially and it can only get “higher than the empire state building” in the words of FUN.

Coaching:

Rondo and Leonard have been coached by two of the best coaches arguably in the NBA, Gregg Popovich and Doc Rivers. One could surmise and say that if it wasn’t for those two Hall of Fame worthy coaches, neither Leonard and Rondo would amount to so much so quick and this article wouldn’t exist. Both coaches have a proclivity to get the best out of their players ranging on a wide scale of different personalities. The juxtaposition of Pop and Doc is obviously different, which makes it even better as to how they get players to reach their potential. For Rondo, Doc has been somewhat of a father-like because he helped groom the 4x All-Star and 2x assist champion into the elite player he is to do despite their hardships. The effect Pop has on Leonard is somewhat noticeable as he lets him freelance around the court and is sangfroid when he makes a mistake, and thus made Leonard the 2014 NBA Finals MVP and breaking him out of his shell.

The league has many literal brothers, but Leonard and Rondo are figuratively related due to their similar stories and upbringings along with noticeable characteristics. Both have had been blessed to come into the league with veteran leadership from Hall of Fame players and coaches who have exhorted them to have success and put them on the path for longevity. It’ll be great to see how the careers of these two unique players end up 10-15 years from now when they say adieu to the NBA.

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— Clevis Murray