The Three Alphas have put their differences aside for the playoffs and the Chicago Bulls are reaping the rewards.
The stubborn trio of Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, and Rajon Rondo were at one another's throats earlier this season, hurling accusations of bad leadership in the press.
But time - and some wins - have healed all wounds. Butler and Wade are now praising Rondo for his stellar performances, which have helped the Bulls to a 2-0 series lead over the top-seeded Boston Celtics.
"I could tell he was still locked in. He was trying to help whenever he wasn't playing," Butler said of Rondo to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
"As a vet, as a leader, that's what you do. He was ready when his time was called again. He's such a smart player. When he buys in, he gets everybody to buy in. We don't win a lot of these games without (Rondo) out there."
Their relationship seems to have come a long way since Rondo posted this on Instagram in late January:
Rondo's highly publicized rift with Wade and Butler led to a prolonged benching earlier this season. Getting over that experience allowed the Bulls to grow stronger as a team, Wade explained.
"We had adversity as every team has, and that's the thing that's made us closer and stronger together," Wade told Johnson. "The credit for this team sticking together through injuries, a trade, through everything, it goes to everyone, from the coaching staff to the leaders to the young guys. Everyone did it together."
That experience also helped Rondo, who finished the season strong and carved out a niche with the team. The former All-Star is averaging 11.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 10 assists and 3.5 steals in Chicago's two playoff wins.
"Each year you grow. The older you are, the more mature you're acting, the wiser you become," Rondo said.
With everyone on the same page, the Three Alphas are tapping into their collective experience for the good of the team.
"For me and Jimmy to have someone who is so locked in, that gives us a different voice," Wade said. "Fred (Hoiberg) gives us a voice. We know we can go to (Rondo) and ask anything. He's watching film all the time. It's key to have a point guard like him that controls the whole game. Our job was easy. We just had to play."
