The Education of Rajon Rondo

by Jeff Clark on Nov 18, 2007 11:00 AM EST in Boston Celtics Articles

Speaking as someone who has a bad case of Rondoism, I've told anyone that will listen that I have no worries about our starting point guard position. That does not, however, change the fact that he is still a second year point guard in a league where it typically takes three years to develop at that position. So there will be moments when Rondo shows flashes of future dominance and moments when he looks like a boy amongst men.

It is fascinating listening to Bob Cousy, the Sultan of Distribution himself, discuss the young man. Like the rest of us, he's impressed with Rajon's quickness, passing, and defense. However, like a grumpy old professor with high standards and little patience that has seen far too many pretenders stumble upon the parquet that he once waltzed upon, he gives out praise sparingly. His prime complaint is that Rondo is perhaps being too patient, to the point of being passive at times. Or as Trey and Sue might say, "you've got these claws, and you're asking yourself ‘how do I get the bunny?'" (I'm not sure how I was able to transition from Cousy to Swingers, but let's just roll with it shall we?)

Perhaps it is a function of playing with 3 potential Hall of Famers. Who wouldn't defer to them? Or perhaps it is because he's trying to so hard not to make mistakes that he's afraid to push the issue. Playing for Doc Rivers (another former point) can do that to a young player - ask Marcus Banks. Personally I just think it has more to do with everything that goes with learning the point position in the pros.

It isn't just about calling the play and making the first pass. It is about knowing not just the tendencies of each of your teammates, but all the opponents as well. It is about reading the flow of the game and reacting on the fly in order to dictate the pace that benefits your team. In short, it an art form. Rondo is already a beautifully skilled artist. But even the most brilliant prodigies need to practice and push themselves to be at the top of their field. This year is Rondo's education. He just happens to be learning in a pretty high profile and high pressure classroom.

What dawned on me the other day was the fact that Danny Ainge might have planned this all along. I was lamenting the lack of a veteran backup point guard all preseason, but think about what would have happened had we picked one up. Do you think Rondo would be out there at the end of close games, in particular after he gave up a turnover and an offensive foul early in the fourth like he did on Friday? House was in for a couple minutes at most before Rondo had to be reinserted. And he responded by hitting a huge baseline jumper. The lack of a veteran presence means it is Rondo's job through his ups and downs. I think there was a conscious decision to let the young man take his lumps early in the season in order to prepare him for the playoffs and future years with this group.

Rondo certainly shows enough brilliance in short waves that it makes up for the occasional mistakes. My favorite play that I've seen a few times now is what I'm calling the NHL 95 play. Those that played that game like I did (all through college) will remember that if you take the puck with your fastest player ("it's not so much me as it is Roenick") over to the right side of the screen and then quickly back to the left side, the defense and goalie are too slow to react and it is a goal every time. Well, Rondo will dribble off to the right side, free throw extended, turn on a dime and sprint back to the left. He's too quick for his man to keep pace and stay between him and the basket. Not to mention the fact that he's running through several bodies from both teams that work as natural screens. At some point Rondo turns the corner and starts scampering full speed towards the basket. The help defenders, knowing that they are guarding future Hall of Famers are typically slow to rotate. Either Rondo is going to the front of the rim or he's passing back to the right where the help defense is busy going to the left, leaving an open look for the shooter. And of course all of this takes about 3 or 4 seconds to develop.

What will take a little longer to develop is Rondo's assertiveness. He's got it in him to be a floor general, but he's going to need to take his time and go through the normal learning curve of NBA point guards.

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I like the fact that KG and Ray have taken Rajon under their wing, particularly Ray.

I think they’ll have a tremendous influence on bringing Rajon along much faster than he would if they weren’t around.

One little quibble with RR (and a lot of other guys in the league) is that I wish he’d learn to shoot a left handed layup. It’d just make things so much easier for him, and he’d draw a lot more fouls if he shot it left handed. Minor quibble over.

I love Rajon!

by Zoots on Nov 18, 2007 8:02 AM EST reply actions

Im with you Jeff. Rondo has pleasantly surpirsed me already this season. The teams are backing off but his work in the off season is showing with the jumper being more consistant.

I also agree that the PGA Tour will only help him grow into the position and become a strong point for the Celts for years to come.

by cargomaniac on Nov 18, 2007 8:33 AM EST reply actions

Good Article Jeff

by CelticPride on Nov 18, 2007 8:39 AM EST reply actions

I think both Rondo and Perk were vastly underrated by some of the preseason “experts” that write for various outlets. I also thought all along that Rondo would be at least as good as he has been thus far. He also needs to keep working on his free throws, the way he can drive to the basket should get him lots of those. I’m also extremely please with Eddie House replacing him off the bench, Eddie gives the offense a whole new look with another spot up shooter option. Which raises a question. If Marbury becomes available, and is affordable, should the C’s go after him?

by halfman/halfoyster on Nov 18, 2007 8:39 AM EST reply actions

“It is fascinating listening to Bob Cousy”
first time that sentence have ever been said, typed, or thought.

by Ian @ CelticsBlog on Nov 18, 2007 8:48 AM EST reply actions

That baseline jumper on Friday night was a huge step forward I hope. That was a big time, pressure shot and Rondo canned it.

On the negative side, he’s got to learn to use his body more when he drives, he’s getting stuffed way too much, he needs to learn to protect the ball with his body as a shield against the defender. At the minimum he should be drawing some fouls there.

by Green17 on Nov 18, 2007 9:40 AM EST reply actions

I love Rondo…but….we need a backup PG…even a poorly executed two man press is enough to slow down House (which is not a knock on Eddie..he is 2 guard)…asking TA to shoulder PG minutes isn’t helping his recovery (simply because it forces him to think to much..TA needs to just react)..Jeff thanks for bringing up Cous…I know it’s easy to knock the guy (old, speech impediment, etc.) but…we are talking about a man that redefined the point guard position and one of the top 50 NBA players of all time…Cous shows tremendous insight into what the thought process of a PG should be..that alone is reason enough to listen to what the man has to say…

by Fastbreak on Nov 18, 2007 9:55 AM EST reply actions

I agree Fastbreak, I love rondo but we need someone else who can handle a little. Is Boykins still a free agent? I’m sure he probably will cost too much, but it’s a thought.

by airb333 on Nov 18, 2007 10:10 AM EST reply actions

Great thoughts Jeff.

I always enjoy the cous.

Boykins would have no problem bringing the ball up but he’s not a distributor, is he?
I’m surprised no one has signed him, other than his liability on defense, can anyone explain why he’s not playing?
Is he a bad guy?

by Little D on Nov 18, 2007 10:59 AM EST reply actions

I’d like to think it was Ainge’s plan all along to resist signing another point guard in order to force-feed Rondo. It probably was due to the lack of a anyone worth signing at the time. Keith McLeod interests me. He ran the team in Utah very nicely when Deron Williams was out. At the very least, he’d be a nice insurance policy should Rondo or House suffer an injury. Gabe Pruitt may be a rotation player someday, but I wouldn’t want him running the team at this stage of his career, even as a back-up.

My guess is that Ainge will wait until the trading deadline to see if he feels comfortable with Rondo handling the point for the bulk of the minutes. If at mid-season he feels the Celtics are capable of a deep playoff run, he may bring in a player to share the load more evenly with Rondo.

by lemonadesky on Nov 18, 2007 11:30 AM EST reply actions

Hey, Ian, what is that post supposed to mean? Are you saying Cousy doesn’t have insightful commentary about the games he broadcasts? If so, you should try to listen a little better.

Seriously, that post was obnoxious and ignorant.

by Cousin It on Nov 18, 2007 11:59 AM EST reply actions

I like Rondo, i think we need a backup. Marbury is Cancer, Mcleod interests me as well, I still think a Steve Francis buyout might not be a bad look. He’s insurance and he knows he won’t be fighting for a starting spot. lemonadesky what happened to your thread about the west being better?

by Hillcrestwildcat on Nov 18, 2007 2:10 PM EST reply actions

We DO NOT need another point guard. You guys make it sound like there is a real upgrade available over Eddie House and there isn’t. Even Brevin Knight was ignored by Danny/Doc and those two have made believers out of me.
Anyone who doesn’t like listening to Cousy and Tommy is over-thinking it. Those guys are great

by Wildblu1 on Nov 18, 2007 4:43 PM EST reply actions

Jeff, very well put together piece. Rondo is improving. Your point (no pun intended, well maybe) about Doc not having a veteran point guard to turn to, in order to better evaluate and develop Rondo, is probably right on.

Looking at Rondo’s first 9 games, his assists have been trending up and his turnovers have held in a fairly well controlled range. His shooting has been very encouraging. I feel that he’s really taking to his shooting role and the summer work looks to be paying off at least early in the season in his confidence and technique and shooting results.

It’s more than stats, as you point out, and he’s really working to improve on a number of things, especially in his offensive game, so it’s going to take time. But he is a lot of fun to watch and he looks to be right on track.

I agree with others above, Ainge’s best approach is to evaluate the team’s needs for the first couple of months and try to develop players from within. Then watch for someone he actually likes, who may become available, that he feels will fit the team’s need if he has one. That does seem to be what he’s doing.

The Heat’s pressure that gave House and Allen some trouble is something to look at, but can be worked on. In other games I donâ€™t think Iâ€™ve seen the problem, although it will be against the quality teams that it will likely surface most.

by SteveZ from Edgemont on Nov 18, 2007 5:26 PM EST reply actions

i read this post after the magic game, which was a good game for rondo shooting-wise.when pp has the ball and is taking things over the other players end up standing around watching. when rondo has it there is more movement. the c’s have to trust rr at end of games more with the ball.

by nazzbo on Nov 19, 2007 7:43 AM EST reply actions