Lakers Video: Rajon Rondo Slaps Hands With Nuggets’ Will Barton After Missed Free Throw

Corey Hansford
2 Min Read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers’ second preseason game was all about LeBron James’ home debut at Staples Center. But it was another veteran, Rajon Rondo, who put fans on notice with another strong performance as starting point guard.

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Rondo was perfect from three-point range, knocking down all three of his attempts, and finishing with 11 points and seven assists. However, it was a random play from Rondo that had many talking following the Lakers’ second consecutive loss to the Nuggets.

Nuggets guard Will Barton was at the free throw line in the second quarter, when he missed his first attempt. Rondo made it a point to give Barton a high five after the miss, via ESPN:

Rondo is known as a cerebral player and has one of the highest IQs the NBA has ever seen. In all likelihood, Rondo was simply playing some mind games with the young Nuggets and everyone can now have a good laugh after the fact.

It can be easy to go through the motions sometimes, especially with free throws. Most players, after a make or miss, slap fives with their teammates without thinking. Barton probably saw a hand in front of him and slapped five out of habit, not realizing it was from his opponent.

Regardless, Rondo is already showing the difference he can make with the Lakers. In two games, Rondo has totaled 18 assists to just five turnovers and has continually gotten open shots for his teammates.

Whether he remains a starter or goes to the bench to spearhead the second unit when Lonzo Ball returns, it is clear that Rondo will play a big role for this Lakers team.

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Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.