Rondo Shooting Straight

by Jeff Clark on Dec 14, 2009 5:51 AM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

In case you haven't noticed, Rondo has been hitting more of his jumpshots lately. His coach and teammates have noticed:

Rondo giving it his best shot - The Boston Globe

Coach Doc Rivers has been pushing his point guard to shoot more. First, the more Rondo shoots, the more confidence he gets. Second, the more he draws defenders, the more he can drive past them for a dish to a teammate or layup. "It’s great where he is at mentally, he understands our team,’’ Rivers said. "If we come down and take three or four shots without running the offense, he’ll slow us down and get us in a set. That’s the sign of a great point guard. He’s become a leader on our team and I think that’s the step he’s taken this year. Our guys now want to follow him and that’s huge when your point guard is your leader.’’

BostonHerald.com - KG comments on Rondo

"The man’s worked on his game a lot," Garnett said. "I try to pull him to the side and tell him little small things about getting better and wanting to embrace that and actually believe in that. I think he’s embraced the whole notion of getting better. Actually you can see it, not just with his mentality but with his physical presence. He’s on the weights; he’s taking care of his body. "You know, he hears the whispers. He hears the hollers, the critics about his game. And he chases that. That fuels him. He has a lot of confidence in himself right now."

Bonus Link 1: Green Street " Former Celtic Green to play in Russia

Bonus Link 2: Maine Red Claws comeback win - recap

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I love to say I told you so.

… and I did!

http://www.celticsblog.com/2009/11/6/1118505/the-celtics-most-hated-jumpshot

- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
Twitter: @4Hoopz

by Kiorrik on Dec 14, 2009 7:35 AM EST reply actions

I think everyone except opposing teams has noticed that Rondo has found his shot. And while I expect that he’ll still run into dry spells, his shooting should gradually improve over the next few years.

He’s made great strides.

Regarding Lester, I wonder if he’ll get any run while Daniels is sidelined.

by amenhotep04 on Dec 14, 2009 7:35 AM EST reply actions

I hope Doc plays him a bit in his hometown tonight.

by Atzar on Dec 14, 2009 8:13 AM EST up reply actions

lol on first read, I thought that second quote was KG praising Lester

because of the headline associated with it.

by Pengaloo on Dec 14, 2009 7:41 AM EST reply actions

Everyone's praising him

Give Lester a chance! Everyone’s been praising him since training camp.

by Global Celtic on Dec 14, 2009 8:14 AM EST reply actions

rondo is the best and most important player on the celtics…they’re a joke with him on the bench

by takeit on Dec 14, 2009 8:23 AM EST reply actions

agreed with the best record

thanks only to rondo……………………: (

"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said

by Birdbrain on Dec 14, 2009 10:12 AM EST up reply actions

Be patient, Lester

Your time is coming. We heard the same things about Leon Powe and I think it was about January when his number started to be called. My main man Eddie isn’t proving his critics wrong about PG play. Lester’s limited minutes sho he has both O and D parts to his game. When Pierce and KG are saying good things about you, Doc is noticing too.

by Wildblu1 on Dec 14, 2009 8:24 AM EST reply actions

It's nice to see that Doc is happy too with Rondo's jumpshot.

It is not yet a dangerous and consistent weapon to add to his repertoire but it will come in time, and his shooting mechanic is always the same, and show its effectiveness.

Remember Baby and his shots last year? We were cringing at all his attempts and it paid big time in the playoffs. It should pay big for Rondo too in the playoffs but also for all the years to come. Excellent news.

I also thought KG’s comments were about Lester… I got excited, thinking “wow, he is going to contribute a lot” and then realized it was about Rondo… false hope. :D

by Drucci on Dec 14, 2009 8:24 AM EST reply actions

And remember were Perk's offense was when he was 23 compared with today?

Patience on Rondo. Patience on Hudson.

What you haven’t heard re: Hudson, which would be far more normal for a young player, is any coach or vet trying to send him a ’you’ve got to do better with this’ or ‘as long as you focus on that’ in order to earn playing time sort of message. By all accounts he came in the right way, working hard and trying to soak it all in. He may not get more playing time for Christmas, but I bet he does for MLK Day—or Valentine’s Day at the latest. Happy holidays, Lester!

by clover on Dec 14, 2009 8:31 AM EST reply actions

where

by clover on Dec 14, 2009 8:32 AM EST reply actions

Jeff, please put in a line before the second quote

Jeff, Before the second quote it should say “KG says of Rondo” or some such. If I hadn’t read the article I would have been convinced it was Lester being discussed. Thanks.

by Silverlock on Dec 14, 2009 8:51 AM EST reply actions

by richtrader on Dec 14, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions

done

sorry for the confusion

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Dec 14, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Rondo’s stepback jumper at the 3rd quarter buzzer was a thing of beauty. Looked so smooth and natural, like he was planning it and didn’t think twice. No doubt. Won’t go in every time, but with that confidence the success rate will increase. And he’s such a threat to drive that he can can get a ton of clearance for a step-back whenever he wants. I’d never want him to rely on it because attacking the rim is better overall, but if he can hit it from the free throw line 40-50% of the time and shot 1-3 of those per game, that’d be enough to really stop defenders from sagging and keep them honest.

by Fan from VT on Dec 14, 2009 11:19 AM EST reply actions

BTW, with Walker's uneven performance up in Portland (see the bonus writeup from their latest game)...

…it’s looking like he maybe could actually use the better part of a year up there. Too bad, given the need the C’s have at his position, but likely so.

by clover on Dec 14, 2009 2:08 PM EST reply actions

rondo's shot

you know what’s crazy?!! He had no problem with his shot at Eastern or at Oak Hill, while at UK they changed his form AND took him away from penatrating…which naturally led to frustration I find changing your shot analagous to changing your golf swing..its gonna hurt for awhile… When he gets his old game back…watch out!!

by duval e on Dec 14, 2009 3:14 PM EST reply actions

Great post

..but no one is mentioning that Rondo’s FTs have been going in the past few games as well! If he keeps this up, he is going to be pretty dang near impossible to guard.

by DTB on Dec 14, 2009 3:51 PM EST reply actions