Rondo: ‘The true point guard has vanished’

Rajon Rondo has never shied away from challenging conventional thinking, and his latest comments on the evolution of the point‑guard role underline that reputation. Now coaching an AAU team after pursuing NBA assistant positions with the Lakers, Bucks and Pelicans, Rondo told All The Smoke that the traditional floor general is disappearing from today’s game. He argued that modern scoring‑focused guards often lack the leadership and tactical command once expected from point guards, noting that many would struggle to manage a team if a coach were ejected mid‑game.

Rondo expanded on his criticism, saying current players frequently don’t know which actions to run or how to exploit matchups in crucial moments. He also blamed the league’s offensive explosion, claiming the NBA “forced 160‑point games” and devalued defense, accelerating the decline of the classic playmaker. While he hopes the role may eventually return, Rondo believes today’s basketball is taught and evaluated in a fundamentally different way.