I love Rajon Rondo.  The Celtics just gave him the keys to the future of the franchise and I couldn't be more thrilled. 

But when people talk about Rajon Rondo right now, they're not talking about the guy who took the leap against Chicago in last year's playoffs... or the guy who's among the league-leaders in assists. 

They're talking about the guy who got into a "dust up", if you even want to call it that, with Chris Paul (video here).  The reaction is pretty one-sided:  This is Rodno's fault.  Rondo's the guy who started it all.  Rondo's the guy who was trash-talking and he's the guy who came over and pumped Paul in front of the Celtics bench.

And it's hard to argue those points.  Does that mean Rondo's 100% at fault?  Probably not.  I'm sure Paul was a willing participant in some of the back and forth.  But he's "Chris Paul"... who is almost unanimously regarded as the best point guard in the league and one of the young stars who will usher the NBA into its next era.  He's in league ad campaigns.  He's featured in Nike commercials.  And because he's built up a good reputation, he's going to get the benefit of the doubt in times like this.  That's only natural.

Meanwhile, Rajon Rondo is starting to build an army of haters.  It started when he nailed Brad Miller in the head in last year's playoffs... and followed it up by riding Kirk Hinrich out of bounds.  Two incidents, which just happened to come in the one of the all-time great playoff series.  A series which Rondo dominated.

Depending on who you ask, Rajon Rondo is somewhere in the top 5 among the league's point guards.  And while I love his fire... and I love that he takes nothing from anyone... it's in his best interests to channel it a different way.  If he truly wants to be an "elite" point guard... and get all the perks (read: endorsements) that go along with that... he's got to chill out a little. 

Rondo's a young guy who still has a lot to learn.  And part of getting a huge contract like this is becoming more mature and representing your team, as well as yourself.  The Chris Paul incident was not Rondo's finest hour, but it's also not a big deal.  Yet.

Rondo has time to focus the rage, or ego, or whatever it is, into something more productive.  If he wants to take that one, last step from great to elite, he's got no choice.  If he doesn't, little "nothing" incidents like the one with Paul will get blown more and more out of proportion.  And that's ultimately going to cost him a lot of money.