Rajon Rondo

Sizing the competition in the Eastern Conference during their search for championship No. 2 over a three-year span, Rajon Rondo and the Boston Celtics discovered that combatting the up-and-comers in their path would require simply wanting it more. The mentality couldn’t have been exemplified more perfectly than in Game Three of the 2010 Eastern Conference Finals. Willfully guiding Boston to a 17-point edge in the early second quarter, Rondo finds himself in a 1-on-1 transition chase with Jason Williams after the ball ricochets to the other side of the floor. Given every reason to merely coast and live for the next possession, the Celtics’ first-time All-Star objects, diving to the floor in pursuit before rising to his feet and closing the hustle sequence with a crafty, crowd-enticing layup. The efforts didn’t go unrequited, as the Celtics moved to a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, and just one away from the NBA Finals on May 22, 2010. Elevating from featured star to full-on top-level superstar during the 2010 NBA Playoffs, Rondo contributed a bit of everything against the Orlando Magic, producing 11 points, three rebounds, 12 assists, and four steals.