Follow the Leaders

Follow the leader(s)



October, 2, 2012
Oct 2
10:05
AM ET



By
Chris Forsberg | ESPNBoston.com







Jim Davis/Boston Globe/Getty Images



The Celtics have one captain, but at least three leaders in Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo.Maybe
no storyline has been as prevalent at the start of training camp as
Rajon Rondo's ascension to the role of team leader. Coming off a summer
in which Doc Rivers made numerous references to this being Rondo's team,
coupled with Rondo organizing offseason full-team workouts in Los
Angeles, everyone seems in a rush to suggest he's the only one steering
this ship.


Rondo is embracing a leadership role, but stresses this isn't a one-man operation.



"I’m not the team leader," Rondo said Monday before the team
departed for Turkey. "Everybody keeps saying that, [Celtics president of
basketball operations] Danny [Ainge] put that pressure on me [by
calling Rondo the team's best player]. There’s 15 guys on this team.
Paul [Pierce has] been here for 15 years and I’m still following in his
footsteps. I might be a leader as far as point guard wise, and I’ll
accept that role. But three or four guys are the leaders -- Kevin, Paul,
and even [Jason Terry]. They are the veterans. I’m going to lead the
young guys, and try to lead the older guys as well. But I’m still
following."



Downplay it as he might, Rondo has clearly taken on increased
leadership responsibilities since the start of last season when Rivers
said the Big Three gave him the reins.



"I don't know if [Pierce and Garnett] are pulling [Rondo up to a
leadership role], or if they are just stepping back," said Rivers.
"[Pierce] and Kevin are stepping back more to allow Rondo the role, to
do his job, because I think they believe that's what's best for our
team."



Pierce said Rondo has simply absorbed everything since he came into
the league and is finally comfortable in taking on that leadership role.



"He was a quiet rookie. He came around, he was around myself and a
couple older guys, so he kind of sat back and watched and was like a
sponge and soaked things up," said Pierce. "And I think he just
continued to learn over the years, and now he’s matured to the man he is
right now, to where he’s ready for that role.”



Added Garnett: "I think you see a bit of a changing of the guard
with Rondo becoming our leader. I think something that he’s earned."



Pierce seems at peace with the idea that, one day, he'll likely hand down the title of captain to Rondo.



"He’s going to be here a lot longer than me and KG," said Pierce.
"It’s just important that we continue to help him grow, his development
-- not only on the court, but as a person, as a leader of this ball
club, and knowing that he has to take a lot of responsibility. He gets a
lot of the credit for the things that we do when we win, so he’s got to
accept those responsibilities."



bob
My Note: The best part about this, for me, is that Pierce and KG think of themselves as Celtics, and are stepping back from their personal spotlight to groom the next era of Celtic leadership and they're doing it before they're on their last legs and the writing on the wall is obvious. They're doing it because it's in the best interests of the team. I think this is the "Doc effect".


.

I never really got all the negative press on Rondo for being immature and a disruptive influence. I guess I would have had to be in Boston reading and viewing all the coverage to fully understand. What I have no problem understanding is that now he is the team leader, anointed by DA, DR, KG, and PP. Rondo hasn't even hit his prime years yet. He is still growing and improving as a player and as a man. Given that, I have no problem with Paul remaining team captain for the rest of his career. He has earned that. If he wants to share in the next year or so, that's great. If not, give the pouter his due. He will go down as one of the all time great players to wear green, even if he only has 3 rings.