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As the summer wears on, with training camps and preseason play still off in (what feels like) the distant future, we turn our attention to the past. Join us as we while away a few late-summer moments recalling some of the most scintillating slams of yesteryear, the most thunderous throwdowns ever to sear themselves into our memories. This is Dunk History . Today, Paul Palladino looks back at Rajon Rondo's knifing one-handed slam against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference semifinals. From Kobe to LeBron to Carmelo, some names seem destined for greatness. Rajon Rondo certainly feels like one of them; between the alliteration and internal rhyming, it's truly poetic. Add in the obvious connection to John "Hondo" Havlicek, and you have a name tailor-made for the spotlight in Boston. During his first three years in the NBA, Rondo was best known for his passing and defense. After battling for playing time with Sebastian Telfair as a rookie, Rondo claimed the starting spot in his second season, when Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce to transform the Boston Celtics into title favorites. He hinted at a flair for the dramatic with moves like his signature behind-the-back pass fake and his 2008 dunk on Jason Maxiell of the Detroit Pistons. In a supporting role to the Big Three, however, Rondo split time with veteran Sam Cassell during the team’s run to the 2008 NBA title. In the postseason, his playing time fluctuated depending on matchups and who had the hot hand. With Garnett out of the lineup for the 2009 playoffs due to a right knee injury, Rondo took center stage as the Celtics tried to defend their title. In a seven-game victory over the Chicago Bulls in the first round, Rondo averaged 19.4 points, 11.6 assists and 9.3 rebounds in 45.3 minutes per game. After the Celtics dropped Game 1 of the conference semifinals against the Orlando Magic, Rondo responded with a 15-point, 18-assist, 11-rebound triple-double to even the series . The highlight of the 112-94 blowout victory came when Rondo received a pass at the top of the key, took one dribble in the paint and took flight with Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard in sight. Marv Albert’s call quickly goes from a run-of-the-mill play to the frenzy that ensues when a 6-foot-1 point guard dunks on the league’s best defender and most imposing figure: At first glance, the dunk might not seem all that impressive, but the details add up. At his peak, Rondo has the ball at the top of the square on the backboard:
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