One of the best part of the trade (for me) is Jackie MacMullen writing more. Today she looks at Rondo.
Rondo, 21, is used to the ribbing about his wayward shots. He learned early last season to develop a thick skin.
"It doesn't bug me at all," Rondo insisted. "I do enough to overlook what I can't do. I get guys wide-open shots. I think that will work out pretty well with this team."
Shooting is all about two things: confidence and repetition. This summer, Rondo said, he has not allowed himself to quit for the day until he's buried 250-280 jumpers. He is playing a fair amount of pick-up games in the Bluegrass State with NBA veterans such as Nazr Mohammad and Scott Padgett, but he will not drive to the hole. In every situation -- not just some situations -- he's pulling up for the perimeter jumper. While this might be a mild annoyance to his pick-up teammates -- who groan when Rondo blows past the defense, then pulls back for a 15-footer -- he understands it is critical to his development.
"It is kind of funny," Rondo acknowledged. "Whether my team is up 10 or down 10, I'm settling for the jump shot."