Last night, the Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 114-96 at TD Banknorth Garden, and are now 18-2 for the second straight year. After a closely contested first half, Boston crushed the Pacers in the final 24 minutes, outscoring them 57-45 in the last two quarters.
This Celtics team is just as good as last year's group, which of course raised banner number 17 last June. While yes, James Posey, one of the team's best defenders, is gone, Rajon Rondo has improved so much it's scary. Now don't get me wrong, Rondo was good last season. Without his great play, who knows what would have happened? But this year he has truly been special. Against the Pacers last night, Rondo became only the third player in NBA history with 16 points, 13 rebounds, 17 assists, and 3 steals in a game (Magic Johnson and Fat Lever were the others).
Rondo's oft-criticized shooting has improved a ton as well. He's draining 51.3% of his shots this season, up from 49.2% a year ago. He has also been slightly better from three (he doesn't take many), and has been better from the charity stripe as well.
If the Celtics are as good as last season's team--and by all accounts they are, Rondo's contribution has to be one of the major reasons why. Hopefully he will continue his stellar play and help the team build off it's 18-2 start.
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