Two days after Rajon Rondo told Kentucky goodbye, he headed for Chicago. He had been there before.
He had stayed in a couple of smaller hotels.
But now he resides on Lakeshore Drive. In a 40th floor apartment with four other NBA draft hopefuls.
And his view?
“It’s of the lake,” he said via telephone from his new spot over Lake Michigan, enjoying the rise.
That is what Rondo is doing: rising, soaring in this draft class that learns its lot in 22 days. NBA coaches and personnel experts tell me there is not a player in the draft who has risen further or faster than Rondo.
I sure hope the Nuggets are watching.
Every personnel guru in every sport will tell you that the weeks before a draft reveal plenty about a player. If an athlete cannot pull it together and sharpen his or her skills and mind during the draft process, that is a serious red flag. With draft positioning at stake and dollars, too, what more incentive will a player ever experience? With a lifelong dream near fulfillment, do they blow it by showing a carefree attitude and lousy work habits?
Rondo got it.
First, he surveyed NBA sources and learned that if he left Kentucky having completed only two seasons, he would be a late first-round pick. So, he did in early April. And went to work in Chicago.
His mornings start with two-hour weight-lifting sessions. That is followed by 45-minute shooting sessions. The afternoon continues with another nearly two-hour session, developing his all-around point guard skills.
Scouts say his weaknesses are shooting and strength.
But in workouts thus far for Phoenix, Houston, Boston, Washington, Toronto, Minnesota and Sacramento, his shooting was crisp. He weighed 167 pounds at Kentucky. He weighs 175 pounds now.
“When I started this training,” Rondo said, “I could lift 185 pounds about twice. Now I can do it seven or eight times.”
He has used his predraft time to concentrate on his weaknesses. Some draft boards have him rated as high as No. 4.
Few believe he will fall further than the last lottery pick at No. 14.
You start with this player’s perceived weaknesses because his strengths take awhile.
Six-feet-1 … lightning quick … a playmaker via the bounce pass, lob or as a finisher … supreme court vision … finds the open man … deadly flipping in runners and floaters … up-tempo player … nasty defense … provides leadership on the court … speed … athleticism … intelligent … big hands and special rebounder, especially for his size … poised with the ball in his hands … confident.
Here is what Kentucky coach Tubby Smith said at Rondo’s farewell news conference: “I don’t think I’ve ever coached a better athlete or more talented basketball player in my entire life.”
Smith has been coaching basketball for 27 years.
Does this 20-year-old sound like a player who fits the Nuggets?
Does this sound like the point guard this franchise has long sought?
I asked George Karl.
“Well,” Karl said, “we’re picking No. 49. He won’t be at No. 49. But one thing I love about this franchise is we are not afraid to deal and look around and see what can be done and how it can be done. We’re not afraid of that at all. I know this player has defense and speed. We’ll see.”
I hope they see that Carmelo Anthony needs a playmaker and this is a point guard who can deliver him the ball all day long and in a variety of ways. Today’s NBA is moving toward dribble penetration as the primary key to unlocking all that matters. Rondo drives inside the lane with ease and creates headaches for defenses once there.
There is a reason his game is described as fast and furious.
And that is just what Karl wants from his Nuggets. Fast and then faster.
Rondo plays the game fast – but not in a rush.
At Oak Hill Academy in Virginia, as a senior in high school, one night he had 27 assists and set a school record. Two nights later he topped that with 31.
At Kentucky last season, he led his team in steals, assists and rebounds and averaged 11.2 points.
This is a player who is going to become a frequent all-star. Why not in Nuggets blue?
I believe that as with Michael Jordan and more recently with Dwyane Wade, Rondo’s college game plans limited his aura. They did not showcase his wondrous, NBA-level talent.
“I know I have a unique name and I believe I have a unique game,” Rondo said. “Any team that likes to run up and down and wants to give me a chance, I’ll give them that. I’m thankful for all that has happened for me so far. It’s about the future now. I’m thankful draft day is almost here. I’m looking for my name to be called. It’s one more step. I’ve never set limitations on myself.”
Nor will the NBA team lucky enough to get him.
Staff writer Thomas George can be reached at 303-820-1994 or tgeorge@denverpost.com.
