Rajon Rondo may be competing for a starting job with Lonzo Ball next season, but he has nothing but respect for Ball’s game.
In a video feature that was posted to the Los Angeles Lakers’ official Twitter page on Friday, Rondo gave some high praise to his young fellow point guard.
: @RajonRondo sits down to talk about joining the Lakers, and what his expectations are for the upcoming season pic.twitter.com/wBa0s2ApCp
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 6, 2018
“His IQ at 19 or 20 years old is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen, the game has ever seen,” said Rondo of Ball. “I love his unselfishness, the way that he plays the game. He wants the best for his teammates, and I think there’s a lot of similarities that we have.
“I look forward to teaching him as much as possible, and also, if he has some things I can learn from as well, I’ll definitely be open to it,” the 32-year-old continued. “I don’t have a mindset to where I’m the veteran guy, and I can’t learn from the young guys. I’m looking forward to a great partnership and working with a great guy.”
Coming from a 12-year veteran, four-time All-Star, and NBA champion, that is no small acclaim. Rondo and Ball do also share very similar styles of play (pass-first guards who can chip in on the glass and on the defensive end as well), which may help explain why Rondo feels a connection here.
Granted, only one of the two players will be able to start at point guard for the Lakers next season. But it sounds like it will be a healthy, good-natured competition, despite what Ball’s father LaVar might have to say about it.
