Rondo is younger, healthier and proven to be better. Yes, better, even with his limitations. Other guys score more points, but Rondo still leads his teams to lots of wins in the regular season and big wins in the playoffs. He’s a playmaker and a winner.
Before you say this is a “NBA’s Most Fashionable Selections” list, consider my list last season, or the last few seasons. It’s tough for me to look past all-time greats such as Bryant and Wade, guys who have actually led their teams to titles and played at an elite level for years and years. Guys who are complete players, meaning they also play good defense.
But times are changing.
Once upon a time, Bryant and Wade overtook guys such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. These things happen.
Howard and Love have the skills, but they don’t have a title. The same for Paul. 
I don’t penalize Howard for not having a polished offensive game. I say if they can’t stop your dunk, keep dunking. Strive for the complete offensive game, but keep dunking. And the Defensive Player of the Year Awards are huge. Unfortunately, Howard doesn’t make the cut.
Love hasn’t done it for long enough. It’s that simple. He’s a fifth-year player. And he hasn’t played this season due to a broken right hand. His teams also haven’t been good enough.
Paul is kind of being penalized for not having better teams. I admit that. Put him on almost any team in the NBA and that team is better, including Chicago. He’s a two-time All-Defensive selection. He scores. He leads. He does everything you ask. He might just need a title.
Every now and then, you have to re-calibrate your lists. My “Best Three Players on the Planet” stayed the same for maybe four or five years, with the order of James and Wade switching a couple of years ago.
Leaving Bryant off the list was the toughest choice of all. He wins, he plays defense, he makes big shots, he hits free throws, he leads. He does it all and he’s done it his entire career. The guy is money.
But right now, and going forward, I’d take Durant or Rondo.
Chris Perkins is a regular contributor to SheridanHoops.com, covering the NBA and the Miami Heat. His columns regularly appear every Tuesday. Follow him on Twitter.
Now that is just plain stupid. I’m not even sure that Rondo is in the top ten players in the NBA, let alone top three. Was the article written for controversy?
Rondo? Seriously? He’s not even the best point guard; it’s arguable he’s in the top 3 at his position. Ridiculous comment.
You sir are an idiot. I-D-I-O-T.
Rondo is a great pass-first point guard but his limited offence weakens him. He gets a lot of triple doubles because the Celtics’ system leaves a lot of rebounds for him (the Celtics being a lousy rebounding team generally, boxing out for the point guard makes as much sense as anything) and he gets a lot of assists because the Celtics’ offensive sets are very, very heavy on plays where guys catch Rondo passes and shoot due to the limitations of their other players on offense. Rondo is a brillant passer, don’t get me wrong, but the Celtics system inflates his numbers. Guards often create offense without getting a stat because there’s a 2nd pass after the point guard made the play and distorted the defence, but that happens to Rondo less than most. He’s not a better creator than Chris Paul no matter what the assist totals say (part of that is also simply that Paul’s offensive abilities draw more defensive attention towards him and away from his teammates).
Kobe from last year was the best player to you? What? How could anyone arrive at that?
And for the sake of echoing the other commenter’s, Rondo is amazing. Rondo is not better than Chris Paul. Championships are team awards, and not a great indicator of individual success.
Rondo over Chris Paul?? Come on. Rondo is extremely talented but one step away from Bynum/World Peace type of crazy.
LeBron
Durant
Paul
No if, ands or buts.
I don’t agree with this “title” vs “no title” thing. When Rondo won the championship, he was the clear fourth banana on that team. One could argue that his role was not integral. Besides, he is not a complete player. Horrible and reluctant shooter and I suspect he is a stat hound. I have Rondo top 10 definitely. If he can improve these other aspects in his game, then he belongs in a top 5 conversation. Right now, I would have it LBJ, Durant, CP3.
Kobe’s leading the league in scoring and shooting 50/40/90 so far this season. He may be old, a step slower, and not jumping out of the building, but he’s looking like the 96-98 Jordan right now. Footwork, skills, knowledge of the game, and smarts just off the charts better than anyone else right now.
It’s still James, Durant, Kobe, at least right now.
Should I assume that it is James Durant and Rondo?
Wasn’t clear
This makes very little sense. First, Kobe and Wade have almost unanimously been outside the top three for more than a year. Secondly, you discredit Chris Paul entirely on the fact that he doesn’t have a title but then include Durant with zero reasoning.