Waiver Wire: Fists and Assists

Allow me to set the scene: Wednesday night, Celtics vs. Nets, early second quarter.

With Boston already trailing by double figures, Rajon Rondo was leading the break with a clear path to the basket. He had a step on the closest defender, and even if he didn't, Rondo is one of the quickest players in the league. No one is catching him from behind.

But he passed up the shot.

Instead, he passed to a teammate stationed out by the elbow, who passed to another teammate set up beyond the three-point line. By then, Brooklyn's defense had caught up to the play, and the C's had to re-set.

The Brooklyn broadcast team was shocked by Rondo's decision. Jim Spanarkel finally ventured a guess that Rondo didn't want to attempt shots at the basket because he doesn't want to be sent to the line. He's a 60 percent free throw shooter. A plausible hypothesis, I guess, but I had another one, which I screamed at the television like a crazy person.

HE PAS

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