Yup, still thinking about this whole Team USA / Rondo thing...

by sswallow on Aug 25, 2010 10:25 PM EDT

I was excited about watching USA Basketball this weekend. Everyone was, right? Rondo is a walking tripple double, a pass-first virtuoso, an absolute rocket, and the infamous thief. When Rondo is on the floor, the game changes. I just find it very difficult to believe that Rondo was anywhere close to getting cut from team USA. No chance, there is no disputing that he is capable of completely dominating the best teams in the world.

If Kevin Durant could have heated up (or anyone for that matter) early in any of these games, Rondo would have had 10 assists.

If Rondo's mindset was to score, he would have averaged 15pts.

RR is a true point guard. He needs to be the leader, he needs to control the game, he always gets everyone involved over himself. It's a good thing he isn't a great shooter, or else he probably wouldn't have developed such phenomenal court vision. He might be the most skilled pure point guard in the league. No team in this world is going to cut him.

So, does this all come down to Derrek Rose?

Rose the #1 pick. The offensive animal. The USA vs. Spain lame-game hero. The guy who solved team USA's 1st quarter ice by creating his own offense. Derrek Rose, team USA starting "point guard". Who could possibly argue with the fact that he is a great scorer, and even an almost-above-average player to bring the ball past half court?

So it goes. Rose gets the nod that he is going to make the starting lineup. It is no surprise that Rondo left. It was his team and his pace, or goodbye. Was there ever a chance he was going to play on a team under Derrek Rose. No.

Good for him.

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

Tweet Comment 7 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Nice

by ben_from_boston on Aug 26, 2010 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

Rondo has a flaw

As much as you’re in denial, the fact is that the name “Rondo” and his successful have always been associated with the Big Three. Teams have obviously challenged Rondo to shoot and that is his weakness. I totally disagree that “it’s a good thing, he isn’t a great shooter”. Pass First point guard is a good thing, but without shooting capability, teams have no fear to defend you ten feet away. What you’re gonna do? Shoot the freaking ball or pass it? and Zone Defend is a big thing in Europe. It’s a right thing for him to quit team USA just to save his face.l

by jay-an on Aug 26, 2010 10:22 PM EDT reply actions

it all depends on team construction

Aside from Durant and Rose team USA is light on finishers. They’ve got a lot of very very gifted players that excel at certain aspects of the game. And USA has got speed for days. So I think Rose is the pick over Rondo, not because of Rondo’s shooting deficiency, but because of Rose’s finishing ability.

The thing about the two players is that their positional responsibilities are really affected by the team mates around them. Put Rondo in chicago and I think Chicago regresses a bit because so much of their offense is created by Rose’s abilities. But put Rose in Boston and Rose doesn’t improve Boston because he’s a much less effective passer than Rondo. On a team full of finishers you need a capable pass first PG. On a team with fewer finishers you need your PG to generate more offense, like Rose in chicago, or a much more extreme example CP3 in NO (including anyone in the conversation with CP3 is honestly kind of inept, Williams is close-ish, but no one in the league is that complete of a PG at all).

He knows not his own strength that hath not met adversity.

by Kungfuguy on Aug 30, 2010 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions

well said

The Sidney Dean “integrity” line comes to mind…

twitter.com/LuckyRivera
"Prisoner of my own mind; problem is, I don't mind." -- Joe Budden

by nobosox on Sep 16, 2010 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Rose & Rondo

will forever be compared to one another! Well, maybe not forever… They will be compared for a long time! Well, maybe not a long time… They will be compared to one another at least as long as it takes for John Wall to surpass Rondo the way Rose did! Sorry I had to. Take your shots, I don’t plan on defending myself.

The Funk Might Fracture Your Nose

by chibullsareback on Aug 27, 2010 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Rondo leaving team USA

I think he would have given those European point guards fits on both ends of the floor.
I think he was the most creative passer the USA team had. I hope this motivates him to
work on his jump shot and free throws and return to lead the Cs as an even bettter PG.

Greg Maxwell

by weakside on Sep 11, 2010 8:32 PM EDT reply actions