Can Michael-Carter Williams Impress Rajon Rondo?

On my subway ride from my Northeastern University dorm to the TD Garden, I checked Twitter and learned Sixers rookie point guard Michael Carter-Williams was named to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, otherwise known as the Rookie-Sophomore game. The news was cool and certainly noteworthy, but its something we've been expecting ever since MCW earned NBA Rookie of the Month honors for October/November.

Carter-Williams leads 2013-14 rookies in almost every meaningful statistical category. He's first amongst first year players in scoring (17.4 ppg), assists (6.7 apg), rebounding (5.6 apg) and steals (2.41 spg). In Philly, he's turned all of his haters from Orlando Pro Summer League into full-blown believers. But in Boston, he hasn't impressed his counterpart.

I asked Rajon Rondo in the Celtics' locker room what he thought of MCW's play this season. I've been credentialed for a few Celtics games this season, and every veteran point guard I've asked from Andre Miller to Ty Lawson to Jamaal Tinsley all gave candid and complimentary opinions on the League's leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Rondo, in typical Rondo fashion, had something else to say about is thoughts on the rookie.

"Nothing," Rondo said. "I haven't seen him play."

Well, with Rondo sidelined tonight on the second night of a Celtics' back-to-back, he'll have a courtside seat to see Carter-Williams continue his special debut campaign.