A Subtle Shift

by Jeff Clark on Apr 29, 2009 7:48 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

Last year you heard the refrain repeated time and again, by coaches, fans, and broadcasters. "You can count on the Big Three to do their thing, but as Rondo goes, so goes the Celtics." It was meant as a compliment and a challenge to the young point guard. It showed just how critical his progression was to the fortunes of the team.

In the first 5 games of this playoff series, I would like to offer a different refrain. "You can count on Rondo to be amazing, but as Paul PIerce goes, so goes the Celtics."

In the two losses, Pierce scored a good amount of points, but did so by putting up a lot of shots, resulting in poor shooting percentages. He also missed key buckets and at times looked tired and frustrated. In the wins he has stepped up and delivered.

Meanwhile, game in game out, quarter by quarter, Rondo has carried this team on his back. He's doing it all. Rajon is still averaging a triple double for the series AND he's the leading scorer on the team at 24.2 points per game.

Many have said that you have to start including Rondo by expanding the nickname to the Big Four. I disagree. If anything Rondo may be passing up the Big Three before our very eyes. We knew that he would eventually take the torch and run with it. We didn't know that he would swipe it, run down the court at break-neck speed, and dunk it this soon. You almost have to refer to this team as Rondo and the Big Three.

The Celtics have the opportunity to extend Rondo's contract this offseason to ensure that he'll never even sniff free agency. Talk about a no-brainer. Lock this kid up long term as soon as you can. He's a joy to watch now and he will be for years to come.

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Rondo's Might Ascent

http://www.realgm.com/src_feature_pieces/766/20090428/rondos_mighty_ascent/

by elrod enchilada on Apr 29, 2009 8:24 AM EDT reply actions

man is that an awesome article. Great stuff, thank you!

by wahz on Apr 29, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

You almost have to refer to this team as Rondo and the Big Three.

That put a smile upon my face.

Finally someone who gets it. Well said.

- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel

by Kiorrik on Apr 29, 2009 8:32 AM EDT reply actions

Nicely written

Rondo and Perkins have stepped up, and so has Baby. If I were Danny I would offer Rajon a multiyear extension this summer. It’s a must for this offseason

by greenwise on Apr 29, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions

jeff and elrod

Great insights and thoughts shared today. thanks

by mec1 on Apr 29, 2009 8:45 AM EDT reply actions

the kid has moved up to the pantheon. times of crisis make the man and we are witnessing his coming of age. if nothing else comes out of this series, we know a lot about rondo’s character, but also about the character of this team. they are gritty and tough. danny has to do some changing but he has a nice core. baby has put himself in a choice spot as well and tho his game needs work, he is young and can improve.

by nazzbo on Apr 29, 2009 8:48 AM EDT reply actions

ROOKIE-SOPHOMORE GAME

Rondo also had a triple-double stats as a sophomore..

how about All-Star in 09-10

by mjohnson on Apr 29, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

From Elrod’s article:

And it would be nice if he could become a 35 percent 3-point shooter. I don’t want him looking for that shot often, but once or twice a game he finds himself holding the ball out there with the clock approaching zero. Nailing that shot will be the cherry on the sundae. Rondo draining occasional threes has the effect of making the other team feel utterly helpless.

I thought it should be pretty obvious from the second half of the season that this is already happening. Rondo shot .310 from three on the season, and .330 post-All-Star.

And for those who had any doubts, he’s a sizzling .570 from three-point land in the playoffs. A lot of these shots come exactly as described in the quote.

by kozlodoev on Apr 29, 2009 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

I'm Glad there is someone to pass the torch to.

We can’t take for granted that we have someone worthy of getting the torch passed to. This type of continuity is rear nowadays, There was a huge gap between Bird and Pierce, although we cannot help what happened to Bias and Lewis. But we are seeing the transition in our own eyes. Just like how Red used to do it. Kudos to Danny for seeing what he saw with Rondo. Just like Paul Pierce, he probably will never be seen as the best, but just like Paul Pierce, he will be the best player on the court every night.

by afflatus on Apr 29, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Can't say enough about Rondo

What he’s doing on the main stage right now is unreal. During every game he’s the best player on the court. He’s playing like a superstar as Elrod’s article stated. Because of Rondo, I can’t help but feel confident about the the post-Big Three era. He’s a player that defenses fear and that’s an invaluable thing to have.

by BOSPORTS on Apr 29, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Tommy was right

I believe he said last year that Rondo had the potential to be a hall of fame player. He’s eventually going to take Ray’s contract so yeah, it’s a no brainer to lock him up now, enjoy next season and then hope Ray will take a significant discount to stay longer.

by Kuberski33 on Apr 29, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions

Rondo's performance has been amazing but it bears mentioning...

…the Bulls are a great matchup for him. Rose can’t keep him out of the paint and Noah and Ty Thomas don’t seem to be able to get block on him.

I’m hoping that he will be able to keep this up against Cleveland (hopefully we make it that far). In the past the Cavs have been able to turn him into a jump shooter.

No one is expecting him to average a triple double against the Cavs, but he will still need to be a dominant offensive force if we are going to have a chance in that one.

by mattyweb on Apr 29, 2009 10:48 AM EDT reply actions

Of Course I'm Biased But....

I know Rose can’t keep up with him, but very VERY few can. You can mention any name, I don’t recall him being outplayed by any point guard. The ability to get blocks on him by the bigs is a valid point though. Against Cleveland, Mo Williams won’t be able to keep him out of the paint, but I think Big Z, Ben Wallace, and Verajao is a more daunting group to deal with.

I hope the biggest difference with Rondo’s emergence is the fact that teams would now be forced to use their point guards on him on defense. And teams will actually pay the price if their defensive scheme involves not guarding Rondo, (remember Kobe in the finals?). Either way both scenarios benefit us.

by afflatus on Apr 29, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I remember two quotes about Rondo ....

Danny Ainge: When he drafted Rondo, he mentioned that he believes that RR would be a very special player in the league. RR is.

Kevin Garnett: When he first joined the Celtics and got to see RR, he said that he believed that RR would be one of the top PGs in the league in 2-3 years. KG has now been w/ the Celtics for 2 years … and RR has definitely ascended the ranks of the PGs.

Comments by these two are right on spot!

I HEART Rondo!

by TheGreenThumb on Apr 29, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions