Summary of Rondo WEEI Interview

[return2glory]

Forget the triple doubles. AFter game 6 in Chicago, Rondo was just an average player. I am having trouble forgiving him for getting abused by Anthony Johnson off the dribble.

So you forget all the triple doubles as if they are easy thing to accomplish, especailly in the playoffs? And you want to focus on a few defensives lapses where Rondo's ankle may or may not have been bothering him?

That to me sounds like you like focusing on the negatives and not the postives. Try to focus on the good things Rondo has done, try not to buy in to all this draft hype talk and the B.S. storties coming from the media. Times are slow for the basketball writers and media so they want to make non issues into a big story.

[jfs1000d]

Rondo hater? No. But I am not a fanboi like some here.

MacMullen's article last month described him as moody. The point is the guy isn't worth $10 mil a year. And, I know guys at the park who can outshoot him. That annoys me.

Rondo came off as a jerk in the interview. Truth is, I like the guy at a reasonable contract. But, I have heard nothing about his personality and temperament, and I question his work ethic and professionalism.

That to me is an albatross at $10 mil or more.Sign him to a Jameer Nelson contract. If not, trade him. We win the title with him in 2008 whether he was with us our not. Perk is much more indispensable.

[sully00]

His #'s in the Orlando series were the same as his regular season stats so he basically played at his normal level. Are you upset about Ray Allen as well?

I'm stealing this from Roy Hobbs over at Celticsblog, but starting in game 6 against Chicago, Rondo shot 34.9% from the field and was outplayed by Anthony Johnson and Rafer Alston. I know he was dealing with ankle injuries, but they seem to be a recurring theme throughout the last 2 years.

Rondo 14/10/8 36%
Alston 10/3/6 31%

What did Roy do add Alston and Johnson together?

And elrod, to say that I would detest Bill Russell, that is a bit of an overstatement. I doubt Russ would have gotten abused by Marcin Gortat. It's ok to publicly state your negative attitude for practice when you are already on top. Rondo has a lot of work to go.

When exactly did Rondo publicly state is negative attitude for practice?

There are some scary aspects to Rondo if you are going to pay him a 10+ mill contract. His jumpshot %'s decreased from his second year to his 3rd year. I am just terrified because his athleticism is not going to get any better. I'd like to see him work on the jumpshot and his floater game. His floaters still don't look great to me.

It is fair but not without noting that his FG% went up and he is one of only two guards I believe that finished the season shooting over 50% from the field and the other was Jameer Nelson who only played half of the season.

I believe there is certainly a limit that Boston should hold to on Rondo's contract and there shouldn't even be consideration of an extension unless it is equal to his cap hold for next off season.
I just don't understand having to learn to hate him so you can trade him.

[Banks2Pierce]

I hate that I am coming across as a Rondo hater. I guess I am guarding myself against the fact that we may trade him by pointing out his flaws. I don't really know how they feel about it up in the front office but they are more in place to make a legitimate character assessment because they see him more. Many people are critical of his personality, but I think his personality is what makes him go. Took a strong headed kid to deal with the big 3. Perhaps with maturity he will treat every matchup almost the same, whether it be Chris Paul or Steve Blake. As of right now, it is just not like that.

Main problem is that he doesn't have the ceiling to be the "main 1" out of a triumvirate or a championship contending team. If you can deal him for an Amare type player, then you have to.

[jfs1000d]

It's a matter of worth?

Flat out, at $10 mil a year, I think rondo would be overrated and voer paid. At $7 mil a year, I think it's a good deal.

I think we would have won the NBA title in 2008 if we had a replacement level average NBA point guard.

[sully00]

Well those are two well reasoned and understandable posts that didn't involve any Butch Stearns or Bill Burt "special insight."

You don't have to make yourself hate him to decide you might be better off trading him. I still check Big Al and Ryan's box score every day, Delonte too doesn't mean I wouldn't make both trades again and again. He is a pg without a jump shot it doesn't have to be a personality issue that makes you move him.

[Frank Lucas]

I just hope the folks down in Miami didn't here this interview. The fear is if you pay this kid max money he will become a diva to the point where KG and Paul Pierce wouldn't be able to tell him anything. I like the kids game but he will not be on this team next season. Celtics know now is the team to get max trade value out of Rondo.

[Slartibartfast]

JFS: your hatred of Rondo is palpable. I don't get it. Do you view PGs who can't shoot as an abomination?

You're calling him a jerk, questioning if he's even an average PG... it's pretty extravagant criticism for the concerns surrounding Rondo.

I listened to the interview and I heard a level-headed, straightforward guy who qualified his desires to be a max player and the best PG as ambitions that would require growth. He also expressed his desire to remain with the Celtics and win championships but with realistic admission that trades do happen.

[John Locke]

JFS how did you come up with that 7 million a year number? Have you looked at some guys' salaries? Mike Bibby makes 15 million next year, Rondo outplayed him. Alston makes 5 million a year, Rondo is atleast twice as good. Andre Miller is a 10 million per year player, Rondo is at least as valuable as Andre Miller (numbers show he is better). Kirk Hinrich makes 10 million next year (Rondo outplayed him...) Jamaal Tinsley makes around 7 millions, Beno Udrih makes 5,5 next year and is signed to the next millenium going up to 7 or 8 millions, Luke Ridnour makes 6,5, Marko Jaric makes around 7 millions, Earl Watson makes 6.5 millions, Monta Ellis makes 11 million...

So I don't really get why 10 million would be out of the world...

And of course Rondo is going to demand a lot of money. Why shouldn't he try to get as much as he can? It's not detrimental to me or you that he gets paid (we wont be under the cap anyways).

I like Rondo and I hope we keep him. But there are other good players out there and if Ainge can get a good package for Rondo (that's what she said), then I'm all for it.

And yeah, on that thing about how Rondo likes to show up late. Basketball players have routines and try to stick to them. Going early to a game can be tiring mentally. And a lot of guys I know like to show up and go out to play. When I went through a little shooting slump last season I talked to a former national team coach and a guy who's coached teams in other countries. He told me to show up as late as possible, even 45 mins before the game. Just get taped and warm up for 20 minutes. That worked for me. So it's just a personal thing.

Rondo is a very unique player. And I hope we keep him, because he is a very good teammate. He sees guys and is definitely a pass first kind of guy.

[BillessuR6]

My biggest problem with Rondo is his mentality. He can play like an allstar one day and like the worst player in the league the next. That is just not good enough.

He is extremely stubborn and I wouldn`t have a problem with that if he gave 100% every night. His demeanor, mindset, approach to games are his biggest weakness and I don`t think that is something you can fix. You are who you are...

[GuyClinch]

Rajon Rondo is the best Boston Celtic PG since the late, great Dennis Johnson. He was the best player on the Celtics in the playoffs. I don't understand all the Rondo hate of late.

What you love volume shooters or something? First off Sherm Douglas was better as a PG. He was a far better offensive threat and put up equal to better assistant numbers on far crappier teams. Secondly Rondo shot 34.9% after game 6 vs. Chicago. He did NOT have a good playoff run. Don't make me post his bricklaying box scores again..

[canman1971]

I never really got the idea of paying someone more just because player A is making whatever. If player A is paid too much money, than why would you make the same mistake as the team who signed him? I will be very disappointed if Rondo gets more than 7-9 million per season until he proves he can hit a 10-18 ft. jumpshot and free throws better than me, which at this point, he is far off.

[Dogen]

Rajon Rondo is the best Boston Celtic PG since the late, great Dennis Johnson. He was the best player on the Celtics in the playoffs. I don't understand all the Rondo hate of late.

What you love volume shooters or something? First off Sherm Douglas was better as a PG. He was a far better offensive threat and put up equal to better assistant numbers on far crappier teams. Secondly Rondo shot 34.9% after game 6 vs. Chicago. He did NOT have a good playoff run. Don't make me post his bricklaying box scores again..

Sherman Douglas?!? That's kind of a reach. Yeah, he was a a better shooter, but no where near as active on boards or steals. And you have to go to about his 7th year, when he was in his late twenties and already been in Boston for a few, before he eclipses the 22yo Rondo.

Having said that, I'm still in the camp to shop Rondo around and see what's out there. His value is high and he's going to likely demand a big contract. If a deal is available that keeps the team in contention without totally mortgaging the future, then sayonara Rondo.

[GuyClinch]

Sherman Douglas?!? That's kind of a reach. Yeah, he was a a better shooter, but no where near as active on boards or steals. And you have to go to about his 7th year, when he was in his late twenties and already been in Boston for a few, before he eclipses the 22yo Rondo.

So what you mean is that Rondo has the most potential. Just pointing out that Sherm had some better year IMHO. Then again I factor in what Rondo has to work with - compared to what Sherm did. A PG is going to rack up more assists if he has guys that can finish plays. He is going to shoot a higher percentage if he has guys that can draw defensive attention..

I also thought that Sherm was more of a gamer and a competitor..whereas Rondo tends to coast on his natural talent and does things like showing up late or not bothering to work on his shot..

[Dogen]

Yeah, Rondo has more upside, although I do like Douglas, too. If there was a player like Sherman out there to be signed as a FA I would certainly consider trading Rondo. Mike Bibby comes to mind, though I don't believe his defense will make any one forget either Rondo or Douglas.

I think Rondo would be able to rack up the assists on a lesser team, ala Sherm, and I also think we are going to find out soon enough--- but not with the Celtics!

[LAKESHOW]

ahahaha, some of you celtic fans are hilarious. killin on the dude. layin the blame on the guy for the playoffs or the interview. especially for his comments on a terrible interview? that interview was stating facts as to how he sees it. he said hes a student of the game. he loves to win. and wants to become the best point guard in the league next year. whats wrong with that? lay off the dude, and keep him around.

[jfs1000d]

First off. I am not a rondo hater and never said he isn't a good PG. But the fanboi's on this board are outrageous. He is a good PG, but not worth $10 mil per.


Mike Bibby is overpaid on a max contract and that's what I want to avoid.

Several other points:

Andre Miller is a better PG than Rondo. Miller is at $10 mil this year and won't get that next year. You can't look at stats as a measure, because Miller isn't playing with GPA. If Andre Miller was our PG instead of Rondo, we win the 2008 title just was easily.

Rafer Alston: Would we not win a title with Alston as our PG? Heck, Orlando almost did, and with a healthy t GPA, we are better than Orlando.

Which brings us to worth. Rondo is at the level of Jameer Nelson and Maurice Williams,though I put him a small step below due to his lack of scoring ability, finishing ability, and generally inconsistency. If we are paying Rondo 6-8 million per year, he is worth it.

But if you think we should play Rondo a $10 mil plus deal now,and don't replace Ray Allen's salary slot with another like caliber player, you are fooling yourself.

Rondo isn't a bum, but he isn't an all-star either. He is in the middle,a good NBA player at a position where average to good can win you titles.

If we are going to overpay at a position,it has to be at PF/C,or for an elite scoring wing

If we traded Rondo as part of a package for Amare, and replaced Rondo with a free agent starting caliber PG, we would be fine.

I think we are overestimating the value of Rondo. In the halfcourt he becomes an albatross. And, no elite player at his position is ever a liability,which rondo was in the halfcourt.

How can we not see that?

Stop the fanboi crushes please. The guy is good, but with the contract he has, his value is never been higher,and willnever be. If we can make the team better by jettisoning him, I do it in a heartbeat.

The truth is,losing a guy like Perkins would be much harder to replace. To me, Perk is more untouchable.

[Dogen]

Talk about hilarious, one of the posters on Celtics blog copied in an automatically generated transcript of the interview with Rondo. There is a disclaimer that the transcript may not be 100% accurate. Here is an example--- Rondo was asked what he needed to work on over the summer:

" Obama try to improve. My game out poverty. Start to break a couple for him. That I play lashes. Press he would idea it will Lester. And to continue to improve on those days boasting about. One because its net that this seventeen -- An issue on what breed nation as in and out options woes that are drastic like game look at it don't intend it was into the basket. We recognize that what outran a little bit Egypt -- and it's become this aggression against."