By JessicaCamerato
CSNNE.com
BOSTON -- Rajon Rondo likes taking risks.
For every one that hasnt paid off, there are many more that have.
My whole life Ive taken chances, he told CSNNE.com. Right now, Im pretty successful. So far, so good.
Rondo takes the same approach in basketball, especially when it comes to dishing the ball.
Instead of settling for an easy look, he would rather pull off a play that leaves fans -- and his opponents -- wondering what just happened.
Rondo has compiled an entire careers worth of jaw-dropping passes over the last five years. At the same time, many of those moves that didnt go as plans have resulted in turnovers.
Boston Celtics
As the Celtics near the playoffs, Rondo wants to limit those errors.
Easier said than done, though, for the feisty point guard who thrives on a challenge.
Im just trying to keep my turnovers down and continue to run this show, he said following his 16-point, 13-assist performance in the Celtics' 99-82 win over the Philadelphia 76ers. I guess I have to make the simple pass, but at the same time, Im a risk taker. I try to make plays for my teammates, whether its a behind-the-back pass or whether its a regular bounce pass. Any way I can get it out there, thats the best way is what I do.
Rondo is averaging a career-high 3.5 turnovers per game this season, tied for fifth with Derrick Rose among all point guards. Last season he averaged 3.0.
He attributes the increase in turnovers to the changes in his offensive game. He has expanded the range of his jumper and is no longer reserved to driving the lane.
With these new shot options comes a new mindset -- he doesnt always have to pass it off.
I think what I get caught up in is if I have a shot and I try to force a pass when I should just take the shot, he said. So obviously Ive gotten up a lot more FTAs in the last couple of games, so I think thats why.
Rondo will take the good with the bad, pointing out that even though his turnovers are up, so are his assists. He ranks second in the league with 11.3 per contest and recorded his 43rd game with 10 or more assists on Tuesday night.
Give-and-take a little bit, he said. Im having the ball in my hands a lot. If we take care of the ball, I think weve got a great chance of winning.
Thats the result Rondo is used to seeing after taking risks, anyways.
Jessica Camerato is on Twitter athttp:twitter.comjcameratoNBA