After making his first all-star team, as well as winning over NBA fans around the nation thanks to some incredible plays during the postseason, Rondo fully deserved to be a part of Team USA this year. He has done nothing but work hard and get better since his rookie year, and is now considered one of the top point guards in the league. However, after his DNP against Spain, Rondo withdrew from the team, and there seemed to be a mutual understanding that despite his talent and basketball ability, Rajon's skill set is just not exactly what Coach K was looking for. Every player on that team is very talented, and the point guards are all like Rondo in that they are both quick thinking and quick footed. However, they are different in that Billups, Derrick Rose, and Steph Curry can all shoot the three ball. So although I think that Rondo deserved to be there and, I would love to see him representing both the Celtics and the United States, his withdrawal from that team is good news for Celtics' fans. Rondo is extremely talented, but certainly has some holes in his game that he needs to be working on before the start of next season. He needs to keep working at improving his shot, mainly from the foul line, but also from the 3 point arc. If he wasn't already motivated to work on that in order to silence some of his critics for next season, he certainly will be now since his lack of shooting is probably the main reason he is no longer wearing red white and blue. Exciting and explosive as he may be, coming into international games for a couple minutes at a time only to pass the ball and make occasional Rondo-drives to the hoop won't help him in the future nearly as much as just working hard on his shooting and watching some game tape to see where he can improve his play.
His withdrawal from the team is not just good for Rondo's individual improvement, but for the Celtics as well. This already championship worthy team has some big new faces, and meshing together the way the 2008 Celtics did is vital to their future success. Pierce has even mentioned that he would like to see them go overseas and work out, the way their 2008 team did before their championship run, and the more time Rondo is spending getting to know his new teammates on and off the court, the better they will play together. Since trading for KG and Ra
y, Boston has been stacked with leadership and team chemistry, and Rondo working with his team to help incorporate Shaq, Jermaine O'Neal, and everybody else could lead to big things. Coach K said he would absolutely still consider Rondo for the 2012 Olympic team... but I believe improving his own play and getting himself a second ring and an 18th banner for the C's will be the biggest thing on his mind. Playing for his country in 2012 will just be icing on the cake. 
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