National Basketball Association

A Leader is Emerging from the Advocate Center at Bulls Training Camp

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Halfway through week one of the 2016-17 season and a new leader is emerging from the depths of the Advocate Center.

Newly acquired point guard Rajon Rondo is taking the Chicago Bulls by storm not only with his communication on the floor, but in the locker room.

The feeling has been mutual with Rondo.

Wearing his fourth different jersey in the last three seasons can be challenging in its own right, but Rondo has been upbeat and eager in Chicago.

Rondo, classified as a true “floor general” is essentially like having a coach on the floor at all times.

“The biggest thing that I’ve been most impressed with with Rajon is, the minute he stepped on this floor he pulled everybody together. He’s got the best voice on the team,” Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg said on Tuesday.

(ESPN.com, Nick Friedell)

Communication is everything in the NBA.

Not only does it ensure everyone is on the same page, but accelerates team chemistry and builds trust. Defensively, Derrick Rose was not much of a talker as a point guard. The Bulls front office are happy with the addition of Rondo. The Bulls can be more vocal and work more efficiently both offensively and defensively.

Of course, Rondo isn’t the same player as he once was athletically, but having his floor vision and “quarterbacking” can only be a positive.

But Hoiberg isn’t the only admiring his new point guard. Jimmy Butler has also been raving about Rondo.

“He’s super smart,” said Butler. “I think he really sees things before they even develop out there on the basketball floor, so it makes everybody’s job a lot easier. And not only is he leading the team on offense, but he’s constantly talking on defense, so he’s letting everybody know where they have to be. And then Dwyane Wade’s the same way, so he makes everybody’s job easier as well, and you learn from that, so you just follow suit for the most part.”

(ESPN.com, Nick Friedell)

When the Bulls signed Rondo this summer, it was with every intention to have better flow offensively from the point guard position. Last season, the Bulls looked very choppy and had challenges getting into their flow. Rondo averaged 11.7 assists per game a year ago, tying a career high. The Bulls are rolling the dice that Rondo will set up the Bulls’ offense the way Hoiberg intends.

“I think if you followed me in my career, that’s what I do best,” Rondo said. “It’s making guys’ jobs a lot easier. That’s what I do. It’s not a concern if I will be able to do that. It’s just a matter of us buying into the system, continuing to run the floor and getting stops defensively.”

(ESPN.com, Nick Friedell)

Having the veteran leadership of a Rajon Rondo, the voice and energy he brings on a daily basis, should really help with development with of this roster.

Only time will tell whether or not it constitutes into more victories.