Scouts Love Rondo

by Jeff Clark on Apr 10, 2009 2:00 PM EDT

SI's Ian Thomson asked NBA scouts to pick several awards (MVP, ROY, etc.). Two places where Rondo showed up were Most Improved (3rd behind Harris and Granger) and 1st team All Defense.

Rondo was the surprise here. "Off the ball, he takes chances and he's not solid,'' a panelist said. "But I love his ability to get everybody on the team to defend. Garnett has the fanfare, and he deserves it, but when Garnett has been out, you notice that this guy [Rondo] is the guy who goes out to meet the ball. I love the way he gets over the screens, plays the 1 and 2 and at times he has even played Kobe Bryant on defense. When they have to have a major stop, it's Rondo. He sets the tone out front and gets them to be good defensive team.''

They also put Pierce on the general NBA first team and KG on the 2nd team.

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can't believe they called for pierce first team

I hope paul is given that honor… what a great sign of respect that would be for what a total player pierce has become. much respect.

by WillyBeamin on Apr 10, 2009 2:14 PM EDT reply actions

Absolutely...

Paul Pierce is showing us this year why we still have not come far enough with statistics. His numbers do not equate to an All NBA player. I don’t think there is any doubt that he is at least 2nd team if not first. You cannot accurately compare Dwayne Wade’s season to Paul Pierce. You just can’t. If Pierce was on the heat his numbers would be very similar. But the real question is, if Pierce were on the Heat could he possibly be playing as well as he is now? I’m not sure that’s the case. He is playing as perfect team basketball as you can play. And isn’t that the goal?

SCOTT

by Vegas Scott on Apr 10, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Hey, I heart Rondo too

Finally! We agree on something!

Do these mystical ‘scouts’ do the voting for these honors? Because I really hope they do give some recognition to PP and R2.

by illantari on Apr 10, 2009 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

Haha now that's funny...

When they have to have a major stop, it’s Rondo.

Somewhere Paul Pierce is grinding his teeth…I agree that Rondo is fantastic defensively but Paul Pierce is always the guy called upon to make big stops. He’s also been their best defensive player this year, without question. Again, Rondo may be more electric and dangerous defensively, but nobody has locked down big time defenders like Paul Pierce has over the last 2 years.

SCOTT

by Vegas Scott on Apr 10, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

What’s not to love?

Perk and Powe... the Next Big Thing

by FLCeltsFan on Apr 10, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

I find it interesting how Mike Brown is the runaway choice for Coach of the Year this year. He says that most scouts mentioned the improvement from last year and the fact that his team has the best record in the league. Alright, why didn’t Doc win it last year? He fit both of those criteria last year – the first one on a historic level. And don’t talk to me about the “we added two All-Stars last year” either. For one thing, the Cavs picked up Mo Williams this year, who has been an All-Star for them. For another… I could see how KG could meld into any team rather easily because he doesn’t want to be the go-to option on offense, but Doc also had to deal with a headstrong point guard and two superstars who were used to being alpha dog on offense and nonexistent on defense. Yet the fact that Doc integrated these guys into a championship team without a wrinkle was somehow overlooked.

by Atzar on Apr 10, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

I was surprised to see Paul on the first team and Ray not making any of the top 3 teams. To me, the two of them have been of equal value to our team this season.

by footey on Apr 10, 2009 4:12 PM EDT reply actions