Rajon Rondo Already Making An Impact With The Chicago Bulls

Rajon Rondo is already paying dividends for the Chicago Bulls, and it is catching the attention of a lot of people. If Rondo continues what he has already done, his perception, and that of the Bulls, will change.

No one knew what to expect when the Bulls signed Rajon Rondo. He has long been considered a malcontent who has clashed with coaches at just about every stop, which has led to him being on four teams in three years. Everyone expects nothing but more trouble from Rajon Rondo. Early reports from the Chicago Bulls’ standpoint offer a stark contrast.

Because Bulls’ head coach Fred Hoiberg has more of an easy going temperament, his clashes with Rondo may be minimal. On a team with a couple of bold personalities, such as Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, it is most likely that Rondo will clash with his Bulls’ teammates than with the even keel Fred Hoiberg. That is one of the different dynamics which make having Rondo interesting.

Rajon Rondo brings plenty of things to the table.

Few NBA players have Rondo’s basketball I.Q.

That he is one of the most intelligent NBA players in the league makes him maddening. Rajon Rondo sees what is going to happen before it unfolds. Where to go with the basketball on offense. What the opposing defenses are looking at doing. Who to get the basketball to. Everything that was mentioned is a strength of Rajon Rondo. Even at 30, he should be effective.

Most people believe that the Chicago Bulls were foolish to bring Rondo in. Having him goes against the perceived philosophy of younger and more athletic. But, is it possible that Rajon Rondo was brought in to teach the younger Bulls how to play the NBA brand of basketball?

Most times it would be noted that maybe only one, perhaps two players from the Summer League roster will land a spot with the regular season roster. From the Bulls’ Summer League roster, Bobby Portis, Denzel Valentine, Cristiano Felicio and Jerian Grant will all make the regular season team. If the Bulls do not add another player, and they are interested in signing Thanasis Antetokounmpo, it is likely that another player from the Summer League team will be signed. That final spot could go to Spencer Dinwiddie, Patrick Miller, Dez Wells or Rasheed Sulaimon.

Even if the Bulls sign someone or not, Rajon Rondo will be on a team with at least seven players who have three years of NBA experience or less. Rondo has to do what he can in order to lengthen the young Bulls’ learning curve. Practice makes perfect for Rajon Rondo, who knows that he must study the strengths and weaknesses of his Bulls’ teammates. That is how the Bulls can improve quickly. It is also a departure from how Rondo has been viewed over the years.

It may be July, but @RajonRondo is already putting in work and making an early impression: https://t.co/EqbLqtOcNU pic.twitter.com/Qnn6BY6GCu

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 12, 2016

According to CSN Chicago, Rajon Rondo is fighting an uphill battle of when it comes to his perception. At least he knows that as he joins the Chicago Bulls.

“A lot is perception. Not to knock or anything, you make the bed, you lay in it. As you get to know me — and you’ll get to know me a little bit more, and coach (Fred) Hoiberg will get to know me — we’ll see from there. I think I have a clean slate here, and these guys are looking forward and I’m just as thrilled to be here.”

People have short memories, especially basketball fans. If Rajon Rondo can help the Bulls win, his reputation goes in another direction.

“You can consider me stubborn, but I think I’m really intelligent. I don’t BS around. I put a lot of work in, I watch film, I study. People may knock it, but I think it’s what makes me great. I talk to a lot of older players and players I have respect for, and they don’t consider it a knock. I talk to older coaches as well. These guys will get to know me. Like I said, people have always doubted me, and this is Day 1. We’ll see.”

Most NBA observers do not believe that Rondo will have success with the Bulls. Something that he will use as fuel going forward.

The reason for that is the “selfish” label that has been placed on him. On the outside, it is difficult to call Rajon Rondo selfish when his entire game is based on finding the best shot on the basketball court. Rondo’s 11.7 assist from last season on the bad, yet the talented Sacramento Kings team is an indication that he will find the teammates that can finish. Rondo’s knack for pounding the basketball into submission is an astute observation. It is something that most true point guards do. What no one wants to admit about Rajon Rondo is he will do what his team needs him to do.

What offseason? @RajonRondo joined the #Bulls summer league squad to put in work in Vegas today.https://t.co/OYtyPAuUWc

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) July 11, 2016

On the Chicago Bulls, Rajon Rondo will be playing with Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade, so that will beg for some adjustments.

Both Jimmy Butler and Dwyane Wade like to have the basketball in their hands. The question is how will the Bulls, especially Butler and Wade, work out with Rondo running the show. Each of them will handle the ball at times. Butler will have to stretch the floor a little bit more for the Bulls. His three-point shot has to improve. As a budding star, Jimmy Butler can still add a consistent three-point shot to his repertoire. Having a point guard like Rajon Rondo on the floor helps Butler get the right looks needed for that improvement.

Jimmy Butler and Rajon Rondo training together with Butler’s trainer, Travelle Gaines https://t.co/J8Cf2tEO0k

— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) July 14, 2016

Not only has Rajon Rondo worked out with the Summer League roster, but he has also worked out with Jimmy Butler. If both players can remain on the same page and work as one, the Bulls will be better for it.

As for Rajon Rondo working with Dwyane Wade, expect that to happen soon. Both players are consummate professionals who know how to play basketball. They want to win with the Chicago Bulls. Whatever it takes to make things work out will take place. And Rajon Rondo will adjust his game around what Dwyane Wade likes to do, as a true point guard does. It was not until the end of Rondo’s run with the Boston Celtics when the perception of being a malcontent came to the surface. At that time the Celtics were fringe-title contenders, and Rondo felt that he had to do more. Prior to winning the NBA title, Rajon Rondo was considered one of the best point guards in basketball.

Can Rajon Rondo return to being that player with the Chicago Bulls? By working with his new teammates when he could be celebrating his new contract suggests that Rondo is already making his impact with the Bulls. Things may work out better for Rajon Rondo and the Chicago Bulls because of it.

[Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]