Wow... Just Wow
by Jeff Clark on May 7, 2009 8:31 AM EDT
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61 comments
The challenge in blogging about sports is that sometimes you have to try to describe the indescribable. You are forced to put words to something that leaves you speechless. That's where I'm at with Rajon Rondo at this point. I don't know what else to say about him that doesn't sound like a cliche.
I once talked about what it would look like to create the perfect basketball player. Here's what I said:
If you were going to build the perfect basketball player, what would he look like? For me, that player would have to be really tall, like 7 feet or so. Give him a huge wingspan, too. But don’t make him too heavy and slow. In fact, make him freakishly quick and athletic. Give him low post moves, face-up moves, a great jump shot and the ability to dribble and pass with the best of them. Definitely make him an elite rebounder and defender because such assets are underrated and critical to winning basketball. Just for kicks, let’s also make him absolutely ferocious — just a madman driven to run through walls to do what it takes to win. And, as a finishing touch, make him an unselfish, classy, fiercely loyal, mature leader.
Or, I could just point at Kevin Garnett and say, "I’ll take him."
Allow me to use that same line of reasoning for filling out an NBA roster. Once you've got a dominant big man, the next best thing to put on the roster is the ideal point guard.
First, he has to be a game-changing passer. Like the kind of guy that can take over a game without ever looking at the basket himself. He makes everyone around him better and gives the defense nightmares. Next, he would be an incredible defender - one that funnels the ball to help defenders, bothers the ball handler everywhere he is on the court, and swipes a good amount of steals (turning them into easy layup opportunities going the other way).
He has to be great on the break as well as in a half court set. He has to be aggressive to the basket without being foolish with the ball. He has to keep the dribble alive without pounding it into the floor (too much waiting stalls the offense). Oh, and it doesn't hurt when he can crash the boards (since most point guards don't, this essentially gives you a man advantage on rebounds).
He would need to be lightning quick and end-to-end fast. It would help to have great leaping ability and good length. And for fun, why not abnormally large hands (all the better to control the ball with)?
Or basically you could just point to Rajon Rondo and say "I'll take him."
Yes, yes, to be fair, a picture perfect point guard would be able to shoot from anywhere. Yet somehow Rondo manages just fine being an average shooter (he's improved greatly in this area and I no longer consider him a bad shooter). For one thing, his average shot has forced him to be superhuman in every other area of the game. For another thing, he'll continue to improve his shot over the years. So no worries there.
At some point you have to start including him in the conversation with the Chris Paul's and Deron Williams' of the world. He's got a ring already and he's peaking exactly when his team needs him the most.
Bottom line is that I'm crazy about this guy. I've been waiting for someone like him since I started watching the Celtics (back in the 80s). There's just something about a pure point guard that I love watching on the court.
So I've just used a lot of words to try to describe the indescribable and I fear I haven't done him justice, but that's ok. When someone asks me why I'm so optimistic about the Celtics (now and for the future) I can just point at Rondo and say "I'll take him."
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Better
I forsee Rondo being better than the Chris Paul’s and Deron Williams’ of the world. Yes he has a ring, but he also has the attitude of a Bill Russell in him.
What your doing here is describing Rondo here as your next Bill Russell to the Paul and Deron your next Wilts.
I’ll take Rondo any day over these 2
by Ancient Red on May 7, 2009 8:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
As Much As I Love Rondo
I wouldn’t go as far as putting him in the same sentence as Bill Russell. Bill Russell is a totally unique basketball player and person. What separates Rondo from Paul and Williams, and places him ahead of them, is that Rondo, regardless of any scoring is a pass first guard that rebounds. Paul and Williams, to me, are shoot first. Past first guards win championships if they are surrounded by good players. Shoot first guards have nice stats, the ones people look at.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
by TrueGreen on May 7, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he meant he had Russell's mind set. Yeah, you could say that, and Birds, and Cowens
and Havlicek. He’’s fearless and he posterized Howard last night. Incredible. I’d take him any day over Paul and Williams. By the way, didn’t Paul’s team just quit on it’s coach?
by eastie Rich on May 7, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Awesome dunk
But I wouldn’t say that he “posterized” Howard. Howard was flat footed and didn’t try to do anything. In fact, the rest of the Magic didn’t try to do anything pretty much all night.
by darylglen on May 7, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did you hear Doc yesterday?
He said Rondo and CP are the only PGs who can change a game.
by clover on May 7, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
since midway through the 3rd of 1st game
rondo has dominated the series.
PP is slow moving the ball
by tommyfan on May 7, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nicely Done!
I agree with that as long as we realize that at this point we only get to say “I’ll take him” on the nights Rondo decides to play like he is capable. He has all the tools to be consistently one of the best PG’s in the league for years. Once his focus matches up with his abilities then I agree we take him over CP3. I am still not sure about Deron Williams though. I think he posesses the same attributes Rondo does but is bigger and can shoot the ball extremely well. I think he will end up being much more durable due to his size. I worry about Rondo getting injured quite a few times in his career due to the way he throws himself around the court.
by EJPLAYA on May 7, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"I’ll take him" on the nights Rondo decides to play like he is capable"
This is really a question and not a disagreement with your statement. Do you or does anyone think Rondo comes with the mindset that he’s NOT going to play well on a particular nite? I think there are just nites when a player, or even an entire team just doesn’t have it, for whatever reason. There are nites when the defense takes away a player’s game, but there are just some nites that things just aren’t going to work. Why were the C’s so flat in game 1 and the Magic so flat in game 2. Same players, same arena. To me bad nites are just a fact of basketball, an intense sport, with a tough schedule and tough travel parameters. As to Rondo in particular, I just wonder how much his ankles are bothering him and I also wonder if he’s been sick with the flu recently.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
by TrueGreen on May 7, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good points
There are definitely nights where a player doesn’t have it. Ray will have an off shooting night. PP will struggle to keep hold of the ball. KG isn’t hitting that outside jumper. That is a far cry from what Rondo does though when he is playing poorly. The majority of the time that he is “Bad Rondo” he is slowing the ball down the floor, settling for jumpers, dribbling the clock out until he either takes a bad jumper or forces someone else to, isn’t playing solid defense. Those are all issues surrounding “want to” instead of the ball just not falling. I think there are nights when it just isn’t working, but most of the time Rondo’s off nights are just due to lack of focus or desire that particular night. He knows what he has to do to be successful, but he sometimes chooses not to play that way. That isn’t acceptable. Especially in the playoffs where one game can, and very well might, make all the difference.
by EJPLAYA on May 7, 2009 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I cringe everytime people start praising Rondo
and I get optimistic once I start reading articles and posts bashing him. So, I’d rather this article wasn’t written.
Btw, I don’t think Rondo belongs anywhere near the conversation with Williams or Paul yet. Just too inconsistent. As Ainge put it, “he must start bringing it game in game out”.
by cordobes on May 7, 2009 9:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Words don't always translate to action, but here's what Rondo had to say about his horrible game1:
“I didn’t come out and play with great passion in that first half,” Rondo said. “It was too late in the second half to try to make that back. I will never let that happen again.”
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/05/07/rondo_revs_up_early/
Lets hope that he really has turned the consistency page and that it’ll never happen again.
by Pengaloo on May 7, 2009 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah most Boston fans would think this way...
'We circle all the games' - KG
by Birdbrain on May 7, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah like Ainge.
I thought Ainge lie’s to the press? Or is it he only lies when you aren’t agreeing with him? You have to reach so far to complain about Rondo’s play that it really isn’t worth the time IMO but, by all means make sure everyone is level headed in regards to Rondo’s truth worth. Thank you.
'We circle all the games' - KG
by Birdbrain on May 7, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely....
Rondo at his best is right there – but the consistency is maybe 2/3rds of those other two…he must first learn to bring it at least 90% of the time and then after than he must improve his jump shot to the point where it sets up his offense.
Rondo is nearing elite level, but once all the HoFers are gone, Rondo will HAVE to be a consistent shooting threat in order to lead a team as its best player. Give him a pick-and-roll/pop monster and a very solid 3rd scoring wing and you have a foundation for contending.
He’s getting there, but he hasn’t “arrived” just yet…patience…
by BillfromBoston on May 7, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lets not kill this conversation with semantics
but to be clear, here’s what I wrote:
“At some point you have to start including him in the conversation with the Chris Paul’s and Deron Williams’ of the world.”
I’m not sure he’s there yet either, and the inconsistency is the key. However, he’s doing it in the playoffs and that counts big for me. Also, I never said he was as good or better than those guys, just in the conversation. A statement I’ll stand by.
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on May 7, 2009 9:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and I disagree
I don’t think he belongs anywhere near the conversation. No problem with the semantics whatsoever.
by cordobes on May 7, 2009 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wasn’t just talking to you
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on May 7, 2009 9:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, okay
I was just replying to your comment… any problem?
by cordobes on May 7, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nope
no problem, just clarifying
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on May 7, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The last time a state trooper stopped me ...
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
by Eeyore III on May 7, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
The last time a trooper stopped me, I started trying to point out why I wasn’t speeding, and he said “I wasn’t going to give you a ticket, but since you’re arguing, now I am.” At which point I said “I wasn’t arguing. I was only trying to clarify!” It didn’t work.
Where would this blog be without tedious semantic arguments? It’s a tradition!
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
by Eeyore III on May 7, 2009 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nowhere near?
I think you may be discrediting Rondo here. I agree in the sense that he’s not on their level yet, but he’s approaching that level fast. Averaging a triple double for a series? C’mon. He’s literally the nucleus of the Celtics and he’s playing that role remarkably.
(this is not directed towards you) But I can see a lot of NBA fans not giving Rondo enough credit simply because he’s not averaging 20 ppg as do Williams and Paul. It’s as if that’s enough to declare a player elite and until you get into that 20 ppg level, you’re not elite. But I disagree. The way Rondo controls the game and his team, I believe, makes him elite. It’s similar to what some people were saying about the Celtics – that the Big 3 have lost a step because their ppg dropped. This is an obvious statement, but more than points contribute to wins in basketball. More than just fancy dunks contribute to wins in basketball. But fans still think Allen Iverson, because of how many points he scores, is an all-star. No, he’s a stat-star. The way in which this Celtics team plays is doing wonders for the game of basketball. They’re finding success in the midst of the star-system era. They’re winning by playing team basketball.
by BOSPORTS on May 7, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's why they are averages!
I scored 44 points in a game on time and followed it up with a 3 point outing. I averaged 23.5 pts per game those two games. Isn’t that impressive!
by EJPLAYA on May 7, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm... like, say, the Spurs and the Pistons through out most of this decade?
For the last 5 years of so the quality of team playing in the NBA has been increasing. We can appreciate the way the C’s play without blowing the newness or importance of it out of proportion.
As for Rondo, There are lots of PGs who are good controlling the tempo of the game. From Billups to Nash; from Kidd to Rose; from Parker to, say, José Calderon. That’s not an especially remarkable argument, especially considering that Rondo has some games where he completely fails to find his rhythm. About the triple-double, you have to make up your mind: either stats are revelant or they aren’t.
by cordobes on May 7, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No where near...
…is hard to quantify – I think he is definately in the 2nd tier of PGs which in my mind makes him top 5-10 and “near” them.
But this team also plays to Rondo’s biggest strength – facilitating plays – Paul and Williams must lead their team offensively most of the time as they are top 2 or 3 options on their team – until Rondo is in a similar role its hard to compare them accurately because Rondo can impact the game simply by finding the elite players around him.
by BillfromBoston on May 7, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's so great about that dunk...
…is that it looked like he almost jumped too far, that he was in danger of hitting it off the back of the rim. Some guys jump too soon and can barely get it over. Rondo looked like he realized in-flight, “oh, wait, I better aim the ball down now.” Look how high above the rim the ball is at its apex. I wonder if even he realizes how athletic he is.
I do wish he were more consistent, but he’s been getting better year by year on that front. And the bottom line is, as a fan and a spectator, I don’t know if there is a more fun all-around basketball player in the League to watch when he’s “on” (although I write “all-around” because one E. House sure gave him a run for his money last night).
by MattD on May 7, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i just keep watching that vid over and over
giddy
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on May 7, 2009 9:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Its true what Matt d says. He adjusts in mid air AND he is really twisting on the way down
I don’t know if I have ever seen anyone at his height in a game be so sideways and high at the same time, jam it, and have to twist hard on his way down.
I am going to be in the minority here and say if Rondo gets as reliable a jumper and becomes as reliable a free throw shooter as say Payton, he will be as great a player for his size this league has ever had. I agree with Jeff and some others that it is NOT too soon to talk like that. CP3 is never going to be as quick and fast as Rajon or have as great a handle or be able to jump as high. How about we take it from that angle? Are those other guys going to have the physical ability Rajon has? not close in my opinion. Rajon makes fewer mistakes than those guys too. Laugh all you want.
by wahz on May 7, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
lets pretend he is inconsistent.
He is starting to talk like a superstar this week too. Isn’t he? I wonder really what happens next. If he tears up Orlando in Orlando, now what are we supposed to think? He is 23 now right?
He only has to play like yesterday FOUR TIMES in each series. I think he has 11 more games like this in him this year:>)
by wahz on May 7, 2009 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whoa...
..Chris Paul is plenty athletic and handles the ball as good as any guard i’ve ever seen – he is Rondo’s peer in playmaking, ball-handling, quickness, speed, and is superior in strength, shooting, scoring…Rondo is a better defender and rebounder – but is less consistent.
I think Rondo will get there, but lets not be crazy – Chris Paul kills PGs for a living – Rondo isn’t performing at a level that is making Paul cringe just yet – great 6 out of 9 playoff games, thus far – but we all know he isn’t going to average 20/10/12 for a whole year, so lets calm down…
by BillfromBoston on May 7, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd differ slightly
-“.Chris Paul is plenty athletic and handles the ball as good as any guard i’ve ever seen – he is Rondo’s peer in playmaking, ball-handling, quickness, speed, and is superior in strength, shooting, scoring…Rondo is a better defender and rebounder – but is less consistent.”-
Chris Paul is a great athlete too. I agree that they are peers in playmaking and ball-handling. However, I give Rondo a slight edge in quickness and speed. Strength, shooting, scoring, obviously go to Paul, and as you noted, Rondo is the better defender and rebounder.
Bottom line, when RR gets a reliable jumper (assuming he does), I think he’ll be at least Paul’s equal, and possibly better. Until then, despite Rondo’s ability to be better on a given night, you’d have to rate Rondo a notch below Paul, no question.
Rondo is fantastically talented, but to go to that otherworldly level, he absolutely must get a reliable jumper. I said a couple years ago, that I thought Rondo was Isiah without a jumper. He gets the jumper, and it’ll be Rondo playing chess, and everybody else playing checkers.
by Mencius on May 7, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Same here
I’m still amazed by this dunk! Rondo jumps so high and finishes with authority, great play, definitely representative of Rondo’s performances in the playoffs.
He is playing at an incredible level right now, the only weaknesses in his game are his jumpshot and his inconsistency but when he plays like that… “wow” is perfect the word to describe him.
by Drucci on May 7, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He's just amazing
With the growing power of blogs you can expect that his agent will show up someday for a meeting with Danny with some kind of powerpoint that includes a graph what the “diehards” think of him. Sorry Danny but its hard to not get excited about having a guy like this on our team. Thank you Phoenix.
He made a steal from Gortat right in front of me last night (not that Gortat is a big scalp) and went in for a dunk. Came up behind and blind to Gortat but it was the speed of his hands that impressed. Its a fast and bruising league and he is truly one of the fastest.
As far as bruising, Perk was a joy to watch defend Howard. As Howard crossed the lane Perk’s strength and position prevented Howard from bouncing toward the hoop. The dunk had to be a hook. Big props for Perk.
by Wildblu1 on May 7, 2009 9:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Air Rondo
thats all i could think of when i see the clips…only if he would bring it each night the same,especially in the playoffs.I hope Rondo develops the consistency it takes to not only be in the conversation with CP3/D.Wiliams,but is the conversation, as the top pg in the league.
by house_call on May 7, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Baby Michael Jackson is good.
He’s REAL good. But what I think is going on here, is the euphoria and the after glow of a great win is clouding opinions. That said, I’m not saying he’s not very, very good. Especially in the playoffs.
But putting him in the same light as Kevin Garnett? Whoa now. Take a deep breath. Enjoy the win. But let’s not get crazy.
Abc….123…..Abc……123, sorry, couldn’t help it.
I’ll be more impressed when he “moonwalk jams” over d12.
The only thing missing is for him to wear a sequenced glove on one hand.
For real.
Nobody else thinks so?
by darylglen on May 7, 2009 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Dunk Is Not The Thing
A dunk is 2 points, an easy layup is 2 points. The thing is that Rondo saw the lane and made the right move.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
by TrueGreen on May 7, 2009 10:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love coming to this place
and finding Boston fans arguing that rondo is inconsistent.. classic.
'We circle all the games' - KG
by Birdbrain on May 7, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, true Celtics fans
don’t discuss the weaknesses of their players.
by cordobes on May 7, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I love the slow mo video, but i gotta say i love the top picture too...
Looks like Howard and Lewis are waiting to block a finger roll or floater….silly magic!
LOL @ them!
by cordialb on May 7, 2009 12:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"Miniature Magic" Johnson
Take Magic Johnson in 1982…remove from him 8 inches in height…and you would have the 2009 Rondo!
They dictate the tempo…always looking to run & pass…flashy…disruptive to the opposition…penetrating drives…lacking great shooting skills.
by Title 18 on May 7, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree on the comparison, however would add
while Rondo is shorter he’s also 1.5x faster than Magic.
When Perk was asked what he thought of Howard winning the gold medal this summer, he responded: "What’s his impression of me after I won a ring?"
by Green17 on May 7, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he doesn't have Magic's winning smile
or at least not while he’s playing, but that’s ok
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
by Jeff Clark on May 7, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
but he does have McLovin
When Perk was asked what he thought of Howard winning the gold medal this summer, he responded: "What’s his impression of me after I won a ring?"
by Green17 on May 7, 2009 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If I Were Coaching the Magic...
I’d speak to Rashard Lewis about helping Rondo up at the end of the play and tell him never to do it again.
by Brickowski on May 7, 2009 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he also gave Rondo a low-five after a foul.
must be hard having a man-crush on a player of the opposing team.
by scurvmeister on May 7, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Off Topic, I've been cruising NBA blogs this morning and just found out Manny
tested positive for PED’s and is being suspended 50 games by the league! Incredible, except it’s not!
by eastie Rich on May 7, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
wet blanket
not to rain on the Rondo love-fest parade but even though that dunk belongs on a highlight reel and he dished for a lot of assists, is anyone else concerned that for the last 4 games he can’t hit a shot —> almost everything he’s putting up is coming up well short of the basket.
the defense was solid, the assists terrific but he should have easily had another 8 points if he wasn’t throwing up shots short of the basket.
when he gets to the point where he’s consistantly hitting shots within 15 feet, he’ll be the best, until then, he’s not quite there. Having said that, I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else because he WILL get to that level within another year or two.
One last point, to make the lovefest really official, I’d be interested to see who were the ones on the site screaming for the C’s to draft Williams instead of Rondo back then. Haven’t seen anyone step forward to admit to those past comments.
by slamtheking on May 7, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
His shot is part of what gets shaky when he gets shaky...
…but we know he can shoot when his timing and mechanics are good.
Last night he was so focused on setting an up tempo, being aggressive, defending and getting his team scoring that his own shooting was almost just a necessary decoy. Once again, it was the area that slipped, I think in part because the faster he’s playing, the harder it is to time and temper his shooting.
You’re right in that if he starts obsessing and fretting about it, he may backslide—but I think he did more than enough right to stay focused on that.
by clover on May 7, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
best still playing
the debate onwhether or not rondo is the best point guard in the league can be left for some other time. because he is the best point guard still playing and that, for now, is all that matters
by arctic 3.0 on May 7, 2009 1:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Man, I miss KG
I’m for a good Rondo love-fest as anyone, but man that quote makes me miss the big guy… :(
by illantari on May 7, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I Love how Rondo
Pauses after the dunk, with a “yea i’m the sh-t, look” lol
"....you can't handle The Truth"
by kheeko on May 7, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love that little move.
'We circle all the games' - KG
by Birdbrain on May 7, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rondo is better than CP3 and DWill..sorry haters
when rondos jumper is consistent i think he will be as feared as lebron or wade….i think chris paul and d.will cant be compared to rondo right now because they cant even match his numbers in the playoffs…regular season stats are w.e but the real stats that matter are in the playoff and playing to win the C-ship…not to be mvp or a league leader in scoring…Rondo does it all..grabs rebounds like some of the best big man and makes everyone better giving them open jump shots or lay ups. Teams should be happy some games he has shooting slumps..because when he doesn’t (like the Chicago series where he was hitting 3 pointers like it was nothing) I have been a rondo fan since he was first on the celts…i remember going to a lakers game @ the garden last year before they one the C-ship and being one of the only people in there with a rondo shirt…now everyone see’s how good he really is…about time
by CeltsGreen9 on May 7, 2009 2:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Professor, your description of the perfect basketball player sounds like our very own Brian Scalabrine.
What other member of our team who’s nearly 7ft tall is so freakishly athletic that he could get his breakaway dunk blocked by the opposing team’s point guard?
by Finkelskyhook on May 7, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ARE YOU IN LOVE WITH HIM??
CeltsGreen9- If Rondo is better than “CP3 and DWill” then why were they chosen to represent OUR COUNTRY in the Olympics and Rondo was not even mentioned? Rondo is a good player, but there is a difference between a point guard that is the main man on their team (Cp3 and Williams) than Rondo, who has Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and KG(kinda), other teams have to worry about. You have to take these things into account when judging a player because it makes a HUGE difference. Numbers are numbers, nothing more. Just because Rondo is putting up better numbers now does not make him better than the two most elite point guards in the league right now.
Another thing…..Rondo will never be mentioned with DWade or Lebron…he is not that good. Lebron STILL does not have a very consistent jumper and he just won MVP! That does not make a difference! Rondo is not as good as DWade, Lebron, CP3 or DWill, because he has been cradled by All-Stars almost his whole career. If he does something by himself, THEN I will say he deserves to be mentioned with those greats but until then he DOES NOT.
by NBA FAN on May 7, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Great Photo
And good call on the header.
Its like David vs. Goliath.
Dwights face = priceless
by Three2ThreeLakerFan on May 7, 2009 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL
This is great — we have finally moved beyond KG and are now discussing the nuances of how great Rondo is (or is not).
I am pleased to see our Celtics play their heart out. No, they are not consistent. No, they do not have the suffocating defense they had last year. However, they are finding ways to win series, at home or on the road.
I do not think it matters what we believe Rondo to be (i.e., how great he is in comparison to others in his position or in Celtic history. It’s great to speculate and debate, and many of the above perspectives are an enjoyable read.
I’ll simply add this: Scottie Pippen never accomplished much without Jordan (okay, he and Kukoc did take the Bulls to the ECF and were minutes away from going to the Finals). Yes, he did look soooo great because Jordan commanded that much attention. But Jordan also said that Pippen was the best #2 man he could ever have and that he couldn’t have done it without him. In his negotiations, he protected Phil Jackson and Scottie Pippen and would not return without them.
Whatever Rondo’s degree of greatness, the Celtics’ success is dependent upon him. Few other point guards would fit into this team as well as he has.
CP and DW and Tony Parker are phenomenal players and scorers. I’ll still take Rondo on the Celtics over the other three. He fits into this team’s chemistry exceptionally well. Yes, PP and Ray Allen (and KG when he is on the court) command so much attention from the defense and that opens the lane up for Rondo.
Contextualize it anyway you will.
On this team, in this context, he is dominating in his position and the Celtics will continue to win as long as he continues to dominate.
by Berkeley1297 on May 7, 2009 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I dont think there can be any doubt now...
that if Rondo were on a less talented team he would be considered a budding Superstar (if thats not the case as is).
He would be putting up ridiculous lines on a nightly basis all season long if he played for a weak team like Charlotte or Sacramento.
by alskor on May 7, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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