New Orleans Pelicans Guard Rajon Rondo Expected to Make his Season Debut on Nov. 17
Rajon Rondo's still on the shelf following his surgery to repair a sports hernia, but after last Thursday's practice, New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry told reporters that they were hoping to see the veteran point guard make his regular season debut when they take on the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 17.
However, Rondo's availability will depend on how well he has progressed in his recovery because they don't want to bring him back too soon.
"It's a marathon," Rondo said, via the Times-Picayune. "I want to play the rest of the (season). I don't want to come back and play two games, then I'm sitting out for another two weeks. These guys are pretty cautious of my timing of when I'm coming back," he added.
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The four-time All-Star also admitted that he's still experiencing difficulties moving from side to side on defense right now.
"My lateral movement, that's the hardest part to come back from with a sports hernia. (Moving) forward and backwards is easy, but being able to stay in front of guys and move side to side would be the most difficult part. I'm waiting on that," he stated.
Well, the Pelicans can't possibly put him on the floor if he can't guard opposing guards, so don't expect to see him play until he's fully up to speed.
It will also take some time for him to get acclimated to his new teammates and their style of play since he missed most of the preseason due to the injury.
In any case, Rondo should take some of the ball-handling duties away from Jrue Holiday once he's healthy enough to start at point guard. This will allow Holiday to spend more time off the ball. Furthermore, E'Twaun Moore should move back to the bench.
Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins have been putting up All-NBA numbers this season, but Rondo will make their jobs easier thanks to his knack for finding the open man.
