Rajon Rondo - Underrated?

[Fencer reregistered]

Rondo is rated properly IMO, his BBIQ and vision were next level, but his inability to shoot free throws was an anchor on him offensively at times. Early in his career Rondo would drive and was a very creative finisher around the rim, but i noticed as his career went along he was hesitant to drive because he didnt want to get fouled and forced to shoot free throws. His defense was a bit overrated, expecially with the Celtics as he had KG behind him and often took alot of chances. He was a Marcus Smart like player when it came to steals as he took alot of chances and sometimes got burned for it.

I always suspected Shaq laying him out had a lot to do with his reluctance to drive thereafter (when Shaq was in Cleveland).

And surely Rondo's career was limited at least somewhat by his blown-out knee.

[tamaraw08]

That 2020 title i felt Rondo was HUGE yet he was rarely talked about but from a leadership position and as a floor general i dont think AD ever clicked with anyone better than Rondo during his tenure as a laker.
?

I can't remember the real reason why the Lakers did let him walk after the championship, was it a much better offer from Atlanta that Rob couldn't match?

[Ice Man]

I can't remember the real reason why the Lakers did let him walk after the championship, was it a much better offer from Atlanta that Rob couldn't match?

The Lakers signed Schroder for $16 million and Montrezl Harrell for $9 million, while letting Caruso ($9 million) and Rondo ($8 million) walk as FAs. Whether LA could or could not match the AC or Rondo offers, I don't know. But that is how LA chose to spend its spare money.

[Roger Murdock]

He’s a very interesting player

His talent and ability were great but he was kind of a head case

He was like a smaller, faster, feistier Ben Simmons with more mental toughness. Insane rebounder, passer, defender; etc. good rim pressure.

His impact fell off down the stretch because he was afraid of going to the FT line. There was a season he led the Celtics in MPg and was 9th in FTA. There’s a crazy clip that used to get played on her a lot where he pulled up from a breakaway free layup in a tie game becuase he heard footsteps and was afraid to get sent to the line. Very similar to the Ben Simmons play

Around 09/10 I thought he’d morph into a much more meaningful player than where he actually peaked.

Good player but with issues

[jpengland]

As a Mavs fan.

**** Rondo

[dballislife]

his lack of shooting would be more of a problem if playing now

[GrindCityHustle]

I was thinking about him today lol

Definitely a championship level PG but as the 5th best starter if that makes sense.

I don't think you can expect your 5th best starter to be capable of making the All NBA third team, All Star, assists leader and make the defensive second team in one season.

I agree looking into it more. He was a vital part of that 08 team.

[og15]

his lack of shooting would be more of a problem if playing now

Older Rondo learned to be a serviceable 3PT shooter (35.4% 3PT from 2015-2022). Rondo just last played in the NBA in 2022, so we can't really say, "if he was playing now" when he did play now, lol. He played a solid amount of seasons during the higher 3PT era. His early career shooting ability, yes, it would be more of a problem, and it was already a problem when he was playing.

[bovice]

rondo is capable of being the 3rd best player on a championship team

[floppymoose]

Its possible this is “retro memory”… a hazzard at my age…. but i recall liking Romdo in the draft. Instead GSW drafted Patrick O’Bryant. lol