Celtics Legend Drops Bombshell: Rajon Rondo More Deserving of Hall of Fame Than Klay Thompson

The Basketball Hall of Fame just wrapped up its latest induction ceremony, celebrating legends like Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles, and Dwight Howard. But even as the spotlight dimmed in Springfield, the debate over who should be next in line has already sparked heated conversations. And this time, it’s not about obvious names — it’s about Rajon Rondo, and whether the former Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers star deserves to be enshrined sooner rather than later.

On the latest episode of the Road Trippin’ podcast, former Celtics center and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins made headlines by going all-in for his former teammate. Not only did he argue that Rondo belongs in the Hall of Fame, but he boldly compared his résumé to some of the NBA’s most respected figures — including Reggie Miller and even Klay Thompson.

Kendrick Perkins Makes the Case for Rajon Rondo

Perkins didn’t hesitate to defend Rondo’s career with raw numbers and championship hardware, aiming to prove that his impact on the game deserves a place in Springfield.

“I hate to bring Reggie Miller into this, but I gotta compare resumes,” Perkins said. “Reggie Miller — five times, he was an NBA All-Star. Five times, right? Rondo, four times. Reggie Miller, no championships. Rondo got two. Assist leader three times. This matters! If I Google and put their résumé side-by-side as far as their accolades, how doesn’t he get in?”

The comparison between a pass-first point guard and one of the game’s iconic sharpshooters was certainly unconventional. Miller revolutionized perimeter scoring in the 1990s and became synonymous with big-time playoff shot-making. Rondo, on the other hand, built his career on defense, playmaking, and orchestrating star-studded teams to titles.

But Perkins wasn’t done. Encouraged by the discussion, he leapt from Miller to one of the modern era’s greatest shooting guards — Klay Thompson.

“Is Klay Thompson a future Hall-of-Famer?” Perkins asked.

Richard Jefferson answered immediately: “First ballot.” Channing Frye laughed at the absurdity of the comparison. “We’re not comparing Klay Thompson to Rondo, no offense,” Frye said. “I can’t do that.”

But Perkins kept pressing, arguing that while Thompson’s shooting is historically great, he was rarely the first or even second scoring option on Golden State’s championship runs — similar, in his view, to Rondo’s supporting role behind the Kevin Garnett–Paul Pierce–Ray Allen Celtics or LeBron James–Anthony Davis Lakers.

The Case for Rajon Rondo

Even without controversial comparisons, Rondo’s Hall of Fame case is strong in its own right. His achievements include:

• Two NBA championships — with the 2008 Celtics and the 2020 Lakers.

• Four-time NBA All-Star (2010–2013).

• Three-time league leader in assists (2012, 2013, 2016).

• One-time league leader in steals (2010).

• Four NBA All-Defensive Team selections (two First Team, two Second Team).

Beyond the accolades, Rondo was often the smartest player on the floor, a master of tempo, spacing, and anticipation. He didn’t just run an offense; he manipulated games. His playoff performances — particularly during Boston’s battles with LeBron’s Cavaliers and the Lakers in the late 2000s — showcased a level of court vision and defensive intensity that few point guards could match.

Like 2021 Hall of Fame inductee Ben Wallace, Rondo could become one of the rare players inducted despite not averaging double-digit points per game. His value was never in scoring — it was in controlling the chessboard.

The Case for Klay Thompson

But Perkins’ decision to pit Rondo against Klay Thompson triggered a backlash because Thompson’s Hall of Fame case is not just good — it’s virtually untouchable.

Thompson is widely regarded as the second-greatest shooter in NBA history behind teammate Stephen Curry. His résumé speaks for itself:

• Four NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022).

• Five-time NBA All-Star.

• One of the greatest catch-and-shoot players in basketball history.

• Owner of some of the most iconic scoring performances ever — including an NBA-record 37 points in a single quarter (2015) and 60 points in 29 minutes on just 11 dribbles.

• An elite perimeter defender who consistently guarded the opposing team’s best player during the Warriors’ dynasty years.

Thompson wasn’t just a supporting star — he was a co-engineer of a dynasty, whose two-way brilliance allowed Golden State’s system to reach historic heights. Without his explosive shooting, defensive versatility, and willingness to play without ego, the Warriors’ four rings likely don’t happen.

Comparing the Incomparable

Perkins’ instinct to fight for Rondo is admirable, but in trying to elevate him, he may have unintentionally weakened his argument. Comparing Rondo to Miller or Thompson sets up a false equivalence. They played different positions, in different eras, with completely different skill sets and team contexts.

While championships matter, using them as the ultimate measuring stick is tricky. As analysts have pointed out, Rondo won his first title alongside three surefire Hall of Famers in Boston (Garnett, Pierce, Allen), while his second came as a savvy veteran role player next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles. By contrast, Miller spent the bulk of his career carrying a small-market team without another All-NBA-caliber star. Thompson, while not always Golden State’s primary scorer, repeatedly saved the Warriors in critical moments with legendary shooting performances.

In other words: rings don’t tell the whole story.

Why Rondo Still Deserves Serious Hall of Fame Consideration

When judged on his own terms, Rajon Rondo’s résumé absolutely holds up. He was the floor general for one of the best defensive units in NBA history. He combined size, defensive length, and passing vision in a way few point guards have. His reputation for elevating his play in the postseason — earning him the nickname “Playoff Rondo” — became a defining trait.

Hall of Fame induction is about impact, excellence, and historical significance. Rondo checks all three boxes:

• Impact: Revolutionized how a point guard could control a game without elite scoring.

• Excellence: Led the league in assists three times, anchored championship-caliber defenses, and produced multiple All-Star seasons.

• Historical significance: Won titles with two of the league’s most storied franchises and played central roles in iconic playoff battles across multiple eras.

Whether he gets in on the first try or after several ballots, Rondo’s career has all the markers of a Hall of Famer — even if comparing him to elite shooters muddies the waters unnecessarily.

Conclusion: Respect Both Legends

In the end, Kendrick Perkins’ passion for his former teammate is understandable. Rondo deserves recognition. His game was unique, cerebral, and highly effective. But Klay Thompson is a generational shooter whose résumé is beyond debate. Both can be true: Rondo has a compelling Hall of Fame case, and Thompson remains one of the most obvious future inductees in NBA history.

The best way forward isn’t to compare them — it’s to celebrate what makes each special. Because when the Hall of Fame debates settle years from now, chances are both Rajon Rondo and Klay Thompson will have their places secured in Springfield, side by side with the legends they helped define their eras alongside.