Of all the factors that contributed to Rajon Rondo’s first career triple double—the 16 points, the 13 boards, the 17 dimes, the TJ Ford, the Dick Harter (just wanted to incorporate him somehow)—the most important one has probably gone overlooked.

It was an accidental first quarter head butt.

Less than two minutes into game, Rondo was D-ing up Ford, when the Pacers guard whipped his head back and smashed Rondo in the face. He immediately grabbed his mouth, threw on the Sad Rajon Face and walked towards the bench. Eddie House came into the game, and the triple double wheels were set in motion. I’m not sure I’m making sense yet, but let me try to explain.

Rajon Rondo is underutilized in Doc River’s rotation.

I know this might seem like a ridiculous complaint in the shadow of an 18-2 start, but that doesn’t make it untrue.

Despite 22-year-old legs, and all the talent in the world, Rondo ranks 20th in minutes among NBA point guards. He’s plays less than Beno Udrih, Ramon Sessions and Rafer Alston. He barely plays more than Mario Chalmers. I’m still not sure why this is the case.

As far as I’m concerned, Rondo and Doc should be on a "Let me know" basis. Doc notices when Rondo’s a little tired, takes him out, and just says, "Let me know when you’re ready." It should be that easy. For whatever reason, it’s not.

No matter how well or poorly Rondo’s playing on a given night, the minutes always work out the same. Rondo stays on the floor until the last couple minutes of the first quarter, and you’re lucky to see him again before five minutes are left in the half. Now if this were a matter of conserving his legs—if this were Ray Allen getting an extended rest in the name of long term efficiency—then I’d understand. But that’s not the case. Every night, for most of the second (and sometimes fourth) quarter. The Celtics are playing with an inferior point guard, and doing so for no other reason than the coach doesn’t want him out there.

And then there was last night’s accidental head butt.

With Rondo forced out early, Doc’s precious rotation went to crap. There was no putting Eddie in for the second, because he’d already played much of the first. So the coach said eff it. He sat back and did what he always should—he let Rondo play. 

What followed was one of the more dominating performances we’ve seen this season. Am I saying that with increased minutes, , Rondo drops a Triple D every night? Of course not, but it’s probably worth noting that his first triple double coincided with his first 40-minute outing of the season. In fact, it was the first time all season that Rondo’s played even 36 minutes in a game. Jose Calderon is averaging 36.5 minutes a game on the year.

So cheers to Rondo for what should be the first of many triple-doubles in a Celtic uniform. Just how many, however, might be up to Doc.