Young star is now leading by example

This is no leadership issue in the Celtics’ locker room. Kevin Garnett, the team’s spiritual leader since arriving in the summer of 2007, has accepted Rajon Rondo’s exponential improvement and impact on this team.

Rondo broke Rick Fox’s Celtics record for steals in a season — bet you wouldn’t have guessed the previous record holder — during yesterday’s 94-86 victory over the Sacramento Kings and he added a season-high 18 assists.

Rondo is 20 assists from breaking Bob Cousy’s team mark of 715 set in 1959-60, which could happen tomorrow against the Spurs at the rate Rondo is pumping out helpers.

With those gaudy numbers and his obvious importance to the Celtics’ fate, Rondo is no longer a youngster who’d better not mess things up. He is no longer a facilitator but a factor, a versatile point guard for which teams must prepare. He has turned himself into a frontline player on a team of frontline players.

The transition from complement to standout has been smooth for Rondo because of the tutelage of Garnett, who has served as a mentor and motivator. Not that the confident Rondo needs any urging, but Garnett has become his Drew Bundini Brown, telling the guard, 10 years his junior, that he is capable of being one of the league’s best.

Rondo responds by calling Garnett “Big Homey,’’ a sign of respect and admiration.

It’s similar to the situation in San Antonio, when Tim Duncan took a step back and acknowledged the evolution of Tony Parker, who catapulted from a 19-year-old erratic speedster into an offensive force. Rondo is not yet an offensive force but he controls the game with his defense and passing.

Garnett encourages Rondo to use that influence.

“He’s grown up before everybody’s eyes,’’ Garnett said. “He’s grown up into a prolific scorer, a player who can affect the game in many ways. When he’s frustrated I try to relay that message to him. I try to repeat it in his head so at some point he understands. I love him because he’s a student of the game. He’s hard-headed like all of us but at the same time he wants it more than any other player and that’s what you want.

“You want your point guard setting the tone every night. You want your point guard leading us. It’s great to watch because I’ve seen him when he was quiet, hiding in the corner, didn’t say two words. Sometimes we sort of miss that.’’

An NBA general manager once told me that he would prefer his core players not to have a wide age gap because it could affect team chemistry. Sometimes older players, unwilling to admit they may have lost a step, become envious or annoyed when a younger player’s role is expanded. Not every team could deal with the dynamic of a 10-year age difference between All-Stars.

Like David Robinson did with Duncan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with Magic Johnson, and Duncan with Parker, the wily veteran Garnett took a step back and understood that the spotlight is shifting to Rondo, and he has no issue with that reality.

That makes for a closer team and the type of cohesiveness that can win championships. Garnett understands the only way for the Celtics to make a serious title run is for Rondo to be dominant come playoff time. Garnett motivates different teammates in different ways. He is tough on Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis.

He reassures Rasheed Wallace. He energizes Rondo.

“Rondo is strong enough and long enough to get you 10, 12 rebounds if you want to,’’ Garnett said. “At the same time, he’ll see the same plays before they happen. Sometimes he’ll throw the ball and he’ll see [the play] and if you stop [because you don’t see] it . . .’’

“Will be a turnover,’’ Rondo said, completing Garnett’s thought.

“He affects the game in more than one area, in three areas if you ask me,’’ Garnett continued. “As he grows it depends on how hungry he is . . . It’s up to him whether he wants to be a prolific scorer. But at the same time, just affecting the game in so many different areas is huge.’’

Soon enough it will be Rondo’s team. He is entering the prime of his career while the Big Three are leaving theirs. And the only way they are going to thrive in the coming years is for the veterans to accept Rondo’s impact and hand him the keys to the franchise — when he’s ready.

Garnett’s leadership is unquestioned but his mentoring of Rondo sometimes goes unnoticed. Yet, if the Celtics want a smooth transition from the Big Three to Rondo and Co., that type of guidance and encouragement is essential.


http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/03/27/young_star_is_now_leading_by_example/