Today we begin a new project that we will be working on throughout the offseason as we wade through free agency, Summer League, and the long months until the regular season starts again. It is called, as you may have guessed from the title, NBA Pokemon. Each week we will have a few posts comparing NBA players to Pokemon. Today we begin with Rajon Rondo who is, without a doubt, Farfetch’d.
Pokemon were of course not created with Rajon Rondo in mind, because for one, Rondo was only nine years old when Pokemon dropped in 1995. And, in addition, Pokemon are a Japanese creation, and even if they were for some reason aware of a nine year old Rajon Rondo growing up across the Pacific, they certainly wouldn’t have created a Pokemon with him in mind.
Yet, when you think about Farfetch’d, it seems that in fact, that is exactly what happened. Never before have two seemingly unrelated things had so much in common.
I mean, just the name itself draws a comparison, as Rajon Rondo is about as far-fetched as an NBA point guard can be. But let’s dig a little deeper. According to Bulbapedia (Wikipedia, but strictly for Pokemon information), Farfetch’d’s two main abilities are a “keen eye” and being “defiant.” Which seems like it could have copied straight from one of Rondo’s scouting reports.
That’s not all, however. Much like Rondo needs the ball in his hands at all times, and is rendered almost useless without it, Farfetch’d carries around a stick at all times. Without it, the little bird would be unable to live, and as such, protects this stick with its life.
Oh, and in case you still weren’t convinced, one of the attacks Farfetch’d can learn is, wait for it… frustration.
Yep, Farfetch’d is Rajon Rondo. Rajon Rondo is Farfetch’d. Maybe next year the Dallas Mavericks can trade for one of these little guys.