Rajon Rondo: What Has Isaiah Thomas Done?

[Pickled Prunes]

Umm, Rondo is 31... he should still be in his prime. Don't you find it interesting that what people refer to as Rondo's "prime" ended when he was 26, right when most people are entering their prime? That also happens to coincide with the departure of Pierce and KG. Rondo never made an all-star team with less tan 2 HoF teammates. Remember how good Perkins looked in that lineup?

And seriously, we are talking about a video montage! Jealous much?

Rondos prime would still be going if guys like 'steph curry' and 'klay thompson' didnt come in the league.
His game hasn't declined its just with everyone else now shooting threes and he isn't this making him nowadays seem out of him prime.
Rondo had a passing pass game, so yes he needs great shooting teammates, it would be like if steve nash never got on that Phoenix team, he wouldn't of been able to average 11 assists, probably still would of hovered round 8 assists per game.
Rondo benefited as all pass dominant PGs do, from having solid players around him.
But that doesn't mean he wasn't valueble to their team.
The league changed and players adapted, rondo got left in the dust.
Its suprising he is still a starter in the league, shows how top quality he is, even without a three in the modern day NBA he still has a starting spot of championship contenders.

He also got hurt, never the same on the defensive end.

No.... just no. Dude lost all credibility at "it would be like if Steve Nash..." No. Steve Nash was one of the best shooters the league ever saw. You absolutely could not go under a screen with him. You are right that opportunity matters, but you are talking about a guy that embarrassed entire defenses that were focused on stopping him. Rondo probably had three all-star appearances before he ever made a whiteboard. He was a role player that sucked up some spotlight on a great team.

And the "Rondo's prime would still be going if..." take? Just no.

[Pickled Prunes]

Maybe, but Rose was overrated to begin with and he is clearly still hampered by his injurys. Rondo is still the same player post injury. He simply could never shoot, but that wasn't a problem with Pierce, Allen and KG around him... but it is now. (See Rubio.)

I also think Draymond would still be a backup if he played on the Pistons or something... right place, right time.

I wasn't going to say anything until u spoke on rose. Look dude. Nothing about rose is or ever was overatted. This guy took the league by storm. There's still not players today who could do what rose did his first 4 years. Rondo nor Thomas are close to d. Rose. I hate when ppl tot all stupid on a player who a die hard at getting greater and greater like rose was before injuries. Nobody called stop him. In my opinion he passes the real Isaiah Thomas and catches magic Johnson by now if hes won rings and continued to get better as he certainly was going to do.

Without any doubt in my mind rose is still over curry and westbrook today if he never ever gets hurt. I say that to anyone's face eye to eye dead serious with confidence. Its the truth. Even kd and lebron know it. Nobody is more luckier then them two he got hurt. He was about to change the league. he was that special. Don't disrespect ever again

Absolutely. Rose was so special. Not many 21-22 year old players have had playoff performances like he did.

Exactly my point. Overrated.

Look, Rose was great... but he was not the second coming and in no way was he going to change the league. The league was actively moving away from PG that couldn't shoot. Nothing he did was new. Check out Wades numbers in Rose's MVP year... very similar, and they play a similar style. And then he misses half the next season and CHI loses only 4 more games. Rose won MVP because he was in CHI and it was a good story.

So, by overrated I mean great, but not transcendent like some folks seem to believe.

[DCRYsing89]

Rondos prime would still be going if guys like 'steph curry' and 'klay thompson' didnt come in the league.
His game hasn't declined its just with everyone else now shooting threes and he isn't this making him nowadays seem out of him prime.
Rondo had a passing pass game, so yes he needs great shooting teammates, it would be like if steve nash never got on that Phoenix team, he wouldn't of been able to average 11 assists, probably still would of hovered round 8 assists per game.
Rondo benefited as all pass dominant PGs do, from having solid players around him.
But that doesn't mean he wasn't valueble to their team.
The league changed and players adapted, rondo got left in the dust.
Its suprising he is still a starter in the league, shows how top quality he is, even without a three in the modern day NBA he still has a starting spot of championship contenders.

He also got hurt, never the same on the defensive end.

No.... just no. Dude lost all credibility at "it would be like if Steve Nash..." No. Steve Nash was one of the best shooters the league ever saw. You absolutely could not go under a screen with him. You are right that opportunity matters, but you are talking about a guy that embarrassed entire defenses that were focused on stopping him. Rondo probably had three all-star appearances before he ever made a whiteboard. He was a role player that sucked up some spotlight on a great team.

And the "Rondo's prime would still be going if..." take? Just no.

I was not saying that rondo and nash are anything alike other than their passing.
Rondo still got that passing ability.
Teams just learnt how to defend him and he slowed down defensively because of injuries.

Yes the dude was never a superstar.
But could pass a ball,
And players who pass the ball need the shooter to hit the shot, therefore situation is more crucial than a scorers or defensive specialist.

Just the way i see it mate, i am still a little inexperienced around basketball so i may be wrong but thats my opinion.

[Sam195]

Rondo took a shot at the suns because they were the team that initially drafted and traded him away to celtics.

[Donnyxc]

Rondo took a shot at the suns because they were the team that initially drafted and traded him away to celtics.

Yeah actually noticed that too. He didn't really have to mention them lol

[colaroaster]

He has already done more than you.

rondo got us banner #17

[Jaivl]

He has already done more than you.

rondo got us banner #17

Garnett, Pierce did.

[Chris3323]

What has Rondo done? He was the 4th best player on their championship team. People bring up that he had nice overall numbers and was a good passer in his extremely short-lived prime but that doesn't change the fact that he was so much of a liability offensively defenses would often not even glance in his direction until he was 10 feet from the basket.

I would agree that IT isn't some Celtics legend but Rondo isn't one either just because he was fortunate enough to be on the roster during the time when Ainge threw together a super team for a championship run.

Well for one he's actually won a ring. Also love him or hate him Rondo thrives in the playoffs and was at times Boston's best player on the court. A couple postseasons he averaged basically a triple double so he definitely wasn't a liability on offense.

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

[Harry Garris]

What has Rondo done? He was the 4th best player on their championship team. People bring up that he had nice overall numbers and was a good passer in his extremely short-lived prime but that doesn't change the fact that he was so much of a liability offensively defenses would often not even glance in his direction until he was 10 feet from the basket.

I would agree that IT isn't some Celtics legend but Rondo isn't one either just because he was fortunate enough to be on the roster during the time when Ainge threw together a super team for a championship run.

Well for one he's actually won a ring. Also love him or hate him Rondo thrives in the playoffs and was at times Boston's best player on the court. A couple postseasons he averaged basically a triple double so he definitely wasn't a liability on offense.

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

Rondo was only effective playing with hall of fame talent though. As soon as Pierce and Garnett began to decline, Rondo was terrible. Yes injuries had something to do with that, but I find it interesting how this guy was only ever effective when he was playing with an all time team while the defense was basically ignoring him. Outside of that he's never been a great player.

[JonFromVA]

What has Rondo done? He was the 4th best player on their championship team. People bring up that he had nice overall numbers and was a good passer in his extremely short-lived prime but that doesn't change the fact that he was so much of a liability offensively defenses would often not even glance in his direction until he was 10 feet from the basket.

I would agree that IT isn't some Celtics legend but Rondo isn't one either just because he was fortunate enough to be on the roster during the time when Ainge threw together a super team for a championship run.

Well for one he's actually won a ring. Also love him or hate him Rondo thrives in the playoffs and was at times Boston's best player on the court. A couple postseasons he averaged basically a triple double so he definitely wasn't a liability on offense.

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

Technically we've never seen Rondo do that either.

btw, Rondo's highest TS% in the playoffs was 50.9% (breaking 10ppg alone doesn't make a player an offensive threat). What Rondo did well when team's would ignore him on defense is attack the basket and make something out of it, but it was still generally worth the trade off considering the threats around him.

[NormanDale]

Rondo took a shot at the suns because they were the team that initially drafted and traded him away to celtics.

Yeah actually noticed that too. He didn't really have to mention them lol

The most interesting piece from this whole exchange: Rondo still clearly considers himself a Celtic.

What do "we" hang here? I love that Rondo still refers to the Celtics as "we," after all these years and all these other teams.

[Chris3323]

Well for one he's actually won a ring. Also love him or hate him Rondo thrives in the playoffs and was at times Boston's best player on the court. A couple postseasons he averaged basically a triple double so he definitely wasn't a liability on offense.

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

Rondo was only effective playing with hall of fame talent though. As soon as Pierce and Garnett began to decline, Rondo was terrible. Yes injuries had something to do with that, but I find it interesting how this guy was only ever effective when he was playing with an all time team while the defense was basically ignoring him. Outside of that he's never been a great player.

Stats wise, they were about the same. But his game is all about assist and 10 to 13ppg.
The reason he played so well with Pierce/Allen/Garnett was because they were smart players. Rondo cant play with a young team, his IQ is too high. (BBALL IQ ONLY)

[Chris3323]

Well for one he's actually won a ring. Also love him or hate him Rondo thrives in the playoffs and was at times Boston's best player on the court. A couple postseasons he averaged basically a triple double so he definitely wasn't a liability on offense.

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

Technically we've never seen Rondo do that either.

btw, Rondo's highest TS% in the playoffs was 50.9% (breaking 10ppg alone doesn't make a player an offensive threat). What Rondo did well when team's would ignore him on defense is attack the basket and make something out of it, but it was still generally worth the trade off considering the threats around him.

Rondo's best asset imo is his defense / rebounding and passing. He does all that well. Mix that with premier players that are NOT PG's and he can take them all the way.

Problem: Cousins isnt a winner, neither is AD. never have and never will.

[Harry Garris]

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

Rondo was only effective playing with hall of fame talent though. As soon as Pierce and Garnett began to decline, Rondo was terrible. Yes injuries had something to do with that, but I find it interesting how this guy was only ever effective when he was playing with an all time team while the defense was basically ignoring him. Outside of that he's never been a great player.

Stats wise, they were about the same. But his game is all about assist and 10 to 13ppg.
The reason he played so well with Pierce/Allen/Garnett was because they were smart players. Rondo cant play with a young team, his IQ is too high. (BBALL IQ ONLY)

Rondo has a high intellectual IQ but not BBIQ. As I said and you agreed with, Rondo is capable of playing well when surrounded by extremely skilled players who can provide the shooting and cutting necessary to make up for his own limitations. However, he was unable to adapt his style of play in order to facilitate to a surrounding cast that is anything less than perfectly ideal for him. A guy who thrives in one extremely specific situation but is unable to adjust or improve his game in order to meet the demands of a changing world around him isn't the mark of a smart basketball player, it's the mark of a dumb one. I'm sorry if that's harsh to Rondo but it's true. No matter how brilliant you are initially, if you refuse to change yourself or work with other people the world will leave you behind in the dust and that's what happened to him.

[Harry Garris]

Rondo was only effective playing with hall of fame talent though. As soon as Pierce and Garnett began to decline, Rondo was terrible. Yes injuries had something to do with that, but I find it interesting how this guy was only ever effective when he was playing with an all time team while the defense was basically ignoring him. Outside of that he's never been a great player.

Stats wise, they were about the same. But his game is all about assist and 10 to 13ppg.
The reason he played so well with Pierce/Allen/Garnett was because they were smart players. Rondo cant play with a young team, his IQ is too high. (BBALL IQ ONLY)

Rondo has a high intellectual IQ but not BBIQ. As I said and you agreed with, Rondo is capable of playing well when surrounded by extremely skilled players who can provide the shooting and cutting necessary to make up for his own limitations. However, he was unable to adapt his style of play in order to facilitate to a supporting cast that is anything less than perfectly ideal for him. A guy who thrives in one extremely specific situation but is unable to adjust or improve his game in order to meet the demands of a changing game around him isn't the mark of a smart basketball player, it's the mark of a dumb one. I'm sorry if that's harsh to Rondo but it's true. No matter how brilliant you are initially, if you refuse to change yourself or work with other people the world will leave you behind in the dust and that's what happened to him.

[JonFromVA]

Anyone who disrespects Rondos Celtics days is a fool.
Without Rondo dealing with 3 HOFers, they may of not won. Also, we will NEVER see Thomas get a 20/20 game

Technically we've never seen Rondo do that either.

btw, Rondo's highest TS% in the playoffs was 50.9% (breaking 10ppg alone doesn't make a player an offensive threat). What Rondo did well when team's would ignore him on defense is attack the basket and make something out of it, but it was still generally worth the trade off considering the threats around him.

Rondo's best asset imo is his defense / rebounding and passing. He does all that well. Mix that with premier players that are NOT PG's and he can take them all the way.

Problem: Cousins isnt a winner, neither is AD. never have and never will.

Used to be his defense, anyway... but the whole point of a pass first PG is to make the players around him better. To turn guys like Cousins and AD in to winners. True floor generals are a rare breed these days...