I Vote: Rondo

I support Rajon Rondo. While the feisty young point guard of the Boston Celtics is being shopped for Chris Paul, I stand as one of the few people that still want him in green. Sure, it may sound irrational, but I'm certain that it came across the same way when my admiration for Rondo began.

He was one of the few survivors of Boston's ugliest season. When Danny Ainge traded just about every other piece on the squad, he deemed Rondo untouchable. This after a season when the team lost 18 straight and finished 24-58. He got some chances to start, and put up some respectable stats, but nothing outrageous. One would assume that perennial All-Star, Paul Pierce would be the only immovable piece, but Ainge saw something in the young guard that few others did.

The following year the Big 3 arrived, and amidst chatter that he was the weak link on the squad, Rondo ran the offense well enough to win a championship in 2008. On multiple occasions I had to convince people, "Rondo's good" or "Rondo's okay". I understand that a point guard's job is much like a quarterback's: manage the game and don't screw it up. They need not be spectacular, just try not to be a detriment.

Over the next several seasons, championship ring in hand, Rondo emerged as an All-Star, dazzling audiences with his playmaking ability, speed, and aggressive defense. The young kid had confidence, and a slew of endorsements to prove it. In the playoffs, his game seems to elevate, as he has bordered on a triple-double average in several series. That type of impact is unheard of for a guard his size, but Rajon is clearly special.

Here we are, in the fall of 2011 and Rondo is the best young piece that an aging Celtics roster has. Now Ainge is looking to trade that away for a half year rental on the weak knee of Chris Paul? Free agents don't exactly gravitate to Boston, and they've got Rajon under contract for a few more years. This team drafted him, crafted him, and has allowed his hustle to be the face of the franchise.

Don't let that go Danny, not the guy that has shown fearlessness against all of today's greats, be it Kobe, Wade, or CP3 himself. This guy is a true Celtic, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Et Tu, CP3?

Situation: a star western conference player is using his agent to lobby for a trade to the New York Knicks.

No, I'm not talking about Carmelo Anthony. Even though he was the lead character of that drama last season, Chris Paul is reprising that role this year, albeit with considerably more talent.

The lockout had only been announced over for several days, and already sources were claiming that Paul wanted a trade to the Knicks. Here's the issue, the Knicks don't have the trade pieces to acquire CP3 directly. In fact, besides Melo, Amare, and the aging Billups, New York doesn't have much to build around.

The Knicks find themselves in this situation because of last season's 'Melodrama'. Carmelo lobbied for a trade to New York for so long that they put together a package the Nuggets just couldn't refuse. All of the young talent the team acquired over several years was gone for a pure scorer. They also gave up three future draft picks and $3 million.

Future teammates? Most likely

So here we are less than a year later, and CP3 is following in the footsteps of his potential future teammate. What bothers me most about all of this is that even if Paul became a Knick, this team still may not be elite.

Paul is probably the best point guard in the league, but that won't help teach Amare and Melo how to play defense. It also ignores the team's need for a true post presence and a cast of capable role players.

Once again, we've got to thank the "Big 3" in Miami for making other star players feel this is the new way to compete. You can't help but feel this situation wouldn't have happened without their initial union.

My gut tells me, Paul will end up in New York eventually, I just hope he has the patience to wait longer than Carmelo did. It'll be better to arrive at a complete team, not one that's in disarray for one your arrival.