LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.– Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel supported veteran point guard Rajon Rondo after L.A.s 112-97 Game 1 loss to the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals on Friday.
” Rajon is among the most intelligent gamers in the league, and clearly our men IQ raises when hes on the court, so hes certainly going to assist us this series,” Vogel stated.
Rondo had 8 points, 4 helps, 3 rebounds, 2 takes and a block against Houston, appearing in his very first video game because prior to the NBA went on hiatus since of the coronavirus pandemic in March.
2 RelatedHe had been out on the lineup after he underwent surgery to fix a fractured right thumb in early July and after that was sidelined again when back spasms struck quickly prior to Game 4 of the Lakers first-round series versus the Portland Trail Blazers a week and a half back.
While Rondos output on Friday was in series of his regular-season averages of 7.1 points, five assists and 3 rebounds, the Lakers struggled when he was on the flooring.
L.A. was outscored by 10 points in the 25 minutes Rondo played, as he shot 3-for-9 from the field and had 4 turnovers.
The loss, which truly escaped the Lakers when Houston opened up the fourth quarter on a 12-3 run against a lineup of LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma, Markieff Morris and Rondo that Vogel had actually never ever attempted out at any other point this season, snapped L.A.s four-game winning streak.
” It is a difficulty operating in a new player at this stage in the playoffs,” Vogel stated. “Its always a bit different when you work somebody in at this phase.”
Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis, who teamed with Rondo to win a postseason series together on the New Orleans Pelicans in 2018, also supported the 14-year veterinarian.
” Hes a great player and an extremely cerebral gamer, so he understands the video game really well,” Davis said. “I do not think itll take that much time to get him back accustomed with the team. He made some shots today, made some excellent plays for us.
” Game conditioning is hard and when you havent played, and after that your first game is in the Western semis. Well get him back adjusted with the group and simply try to play from there.”
Rondo was Vogels first guard off the bench in Game 1, subbing in for James with 4:52 staying in the first quarter and L.A. up 16-15. It was an inauspicious debut, with Rondo missing out on a 17-footer and after that throwing the ball out of bounds on the very first 2 ownerships.
When the Rockets went on their go to begin the 4th quarter, Rondo was 1-for-3 with a take and a turnover, before being subbed out for Kuzma with 9:07 remaining.
Rondo did not speak to reporters after the game. Davis, nevertheless, was adamant about how having Rondo back is an increase for the group.
” Good for us since it kind of offers Bron a break,” Davis said. “Hes trying to make plays for others, remain in attack mode. So it gives Bron, it offers him a break with Rondo on the floor, let Bron type of be that man who can catch it and deal with assaulting. And Rondos able to enter the paint and make plays in action, so its advantageous to us to have him on the flooring.
” But its just getting him back, acclimated to the group, and get his conditioning back to where it is.”
” Hes a fantastic gamer and an extremely cerebral gamer, so he knows the video game very well,” Davis stated. “I dont believe itll take that much time to get him back acclimated with the group. It gives Bron, it provides him a break with Rondo on the floor, let Bron kind of be that guy who can capture it and work on attacking. And Rondos able to get into the paint and make plays in response, so its advantageous to us to have him on the flooring.
