Rondo learning on the fly as the Celtics' leading man

Through the Celtics' first 19 games, Rajon Rondo led all guards in shooting -- in part because he hadn't attempted a three-pointer. Elsa/Getty Images

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Each time Rajon Rondo releases a jump shot, his extended hand can be seen tracing out the shape of a question mark. And it is that image -- that question -- that defines him as well as the Celtics' title hopes: Will Rondo be able to make jumpers when Boston needs them most in April, May and June?

The team with the league's best record has been soothed by Rondo's early-season numbers. Through Tuesday, the 6-foot-1 point guard was shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, which ranked 13th overall and first among starting guards.

That stat shows that efficiency and shot selection shouldn't worry anyone, yet doubts persist that Rondo can perform under pressure. Thus is it clear that shooting is the symptom of a larger concern. The questions around his shooting trace back to the central issue of whether the second-year player can earn the confidence to lead the Celtics with authority. He can't be expected to shoot with conviction until he is comfortable in his role as the quarterback overseeing Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen -- and yet it's premature to expect such overwhelming confidence from Rondo so early in the season.

"The toughest part for a point guard when they actually take a jump shot is feeling worthy,'' said Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who played that role for 13 NBA seasons. "Even the good-shooting point guards, their first couple of years they struggle with their shot because even they're thinking, 'Am I supposed to be taking this shot?' It has to be a committed shot, and when Rajon does that he's a good shooter. It's when you see him shooting and thinking, 'Is Ray open? Is somebody open?' Those are bad shots.''

No point guard has a more intimidating assignment than the 21-year-old Rondo, who as the youngest player in the rotation is trying to govern a trio of All-Stars with a combined 32 years of NBA experience. But it's also fair to say that nobody has a better opportunity to accelerate his career than Rondo, who already ranks in the top 16 in steals (1.7 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9). He has improved a long way in this short time even though he didn't arrive with the confidence of Tony Parker, who quarterbacked the Spurs to a championship in his second year after spending his rookie season ordering Tim Duncan and David Robinson around the floor.

"I don't think he's the same as Parker in that way,'' a longtime NBA advance scout said. "Parker had charisma in leading his team. Rondo is more a leader by example; he's going to work hard but you don't see him as a director. Rondo is a little quieter and not as flamboyant as Parker, who had that edge to him that he's as good as anybody and you'd better listen to me and I know how to run this team. I just don't see that in Rondo. What I see is Rondo starting to realize that I can play in this league, I'm not a late [first-round] pick, I'm a guy who belongs here."

The most impressive sign is that Rondo has embraced the challenge of managing Garnett, Pierce and Allen, who are trying to become the oldest championship trio in league history. No team has ever won a title with three leading scorers 30 or older, which is why in the big picture it's wrong to look at Rondo as the Celtics' weak link. In fact, he is their savior -- they might be too old to contend if their point guard was in his 30s too.

"We need his energy and quickness,'' Rivers agreed.

As one of the league's most athletic point guards, Rondo isn't afraid to sprint out ahead and attack the basket in transition against multiple defenders. But even in those situations, Rivers sees him occasionally deferring to his elders by kicking out to Allen or Pierce for a three-pointer.

"Every time that pass leads to a missed shot, I tell him, 'That's a turnover, because you turned down a layup for a three that didn't go in and now they get the ball back.' And I keep a list, I count that as a turnover and I tell him, 'You had three turnovers last night,' '' Rivers said. "There are times he didn't know he was open at the basket because he's going too quick. But we've showed him film of the layups he doesn't take, and he's been surprised on a lot of them: 'Wow, I didn't know I was at the basket.' ''

Garnett and the other Celtics make jokes when they see Rondo studying his touches on the mini video player he carries in his pocket.

"You laugh at it,'' Garnett said, "but at the same time, you're impressed. He's working.''

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