Hurt or not, Rondo must step up for Celtics

LOS ANGELES -- Kevin Garnett said he played like garbage but it wasn't Garnett who was particularly odorific. The funk rising out of Staples Center came from Boston's Rajon Rondo.

The Celtics desperately need Rondo to snap out of his funk ... soon. (Getty Images)

It's difficult to criticize the point guard on a team that helped to earn such a commanding lead against the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers, but Rondo was so bad in Game 5 it seems to have even caused the Celtics a momentary pause.

One instance of Rondo's head disappearing in the middle of an elimination game made me want to strangle Rondo on behalf of his teammates.

Rondo was driving to the basket and had a wide open lay-up. Instead of putting it in for an easy two points he passed the ball.

Why Rondo? Why, why, why?

Rondo is playing horribly now. So bad it might be time for coach Doc Rivers to strongly consider reducing his minutes in favor of backup Eddie House. While House doesn't possess the pure talent and athletic skills that Rondo does, he's more consistent and a better outside shooter.

"Well, Rondo is just not playing well right now," Rivers said. "We still believe in him. They're doing a nice job to start games with Kobe (Bryant) guarding him and roaming and the ball is ending up in his hands. And what we're trying to get him to do is be aggressive to the basket."

Going to the basket, getting just inches away, and then dishing?

Not so aggressive.

"I thought early in the game he had a lay-up, I think, that he could have taken," said Rivers, "and he's looking to be a passer. He's got to look to make more plays and be more aggressive to the basket."

Rondo played only 14 minutes and made just one shot for three points in Game 5.

Rondo getting his noggin on straight is doubly important now because the status of Ray Allen. The Celtics released a statement saying that Allen had to leave immediately after the game to deal with a health issue involving one of his children.

While basketball doesn't compare to the well being of a child, unfortunately, the series goes on. It's uncertain what this means for Allen. Rondo and House will have to play more as could the ancient Sam Cassell, who is older than Joan Rivers and Yoda combined.

Rondo's fighting an ankle injury, but Rivers says that isn't the issue. Rivers doesn't want to put too much pressure on Rondo but he needs him to play better.

"You know what, guys, he's a second-year basketball player," said Rivers, "and I never lose (sight) of that. There's a lot of pressure on him. I'm not going to put more on him. I'm just going to keep coaching him and trusting him and he got us here. He's gotten us here. But clearly he's not playing as well as he would like to, but we believe in him."

They do but for how long?