Rajon Rondo Traded To The Mavericks.

[djFan71]

I'm a Rondo guy, but did anyone else get rubbed the wrong way by his comments down at the Dallas press conference tonight?

""I've been fortunate enough to play for future Hall of Famers and great teams and a great coach in Doc Rivers. And to get back to that situation and be able to play with future Hall of Famers and a great coach and a team that's ready to contend for a title, I'm fired up. I'm ready to go."


He's up there talking about how he played for a great coach in Doc Rivers and now he's happy to be playing for a great coach again in Rick Carlisle. Really, bro? I'm not saying Stevens is a great NBA coach but nobody can convince me that that comment wasn't a little shot at Stevens. Was he mad because Stevens benched him in the Washington game a week ago? Stevens looked like he went out of his way to win Rondo over so not sure what Rondo's beef would be. Just seems like some things are better left not said. Rubbed me the wrong way.

I think you're really reading too much into this and overreacting with this.

I watched the whole press conference and I couldn't see a single sign that he's angry about anything. On this particular comment I believe the question was to compare 2008 Celtics and todays Mavericks. He explicitly talked about contending teams.

I read it your way first Banners, but I don't really think it's a dig at Brad. It's more applying to playing with HOF teammates again, in the title hunt, AND a great coach. Not just, now I got a great coach again.

[LongTimeFan]

Rondo got a great deal on this. And that generates goodwill for the Celtics. I am happy for him and Dallas. They are pursuing the three stars championship and I hope they win it. (Well with Dirk taking a pay cut for the team and Cuban's wallet four stars.)

“Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.”

I lived through the dynasty teams. Chamberlain, West and Baylor (three of the best in the league) in their prime could not beat a bunch of washed up wannabes. It is absolutely clear to me after last night's game and DA's recent comments that we are pursuing a dynasty type team.

First the win. We broke their will in the fourth. Heinsohn pointed it out. They gave up and the ball started to always bounce our way. It was late in the game and they are a weak team, but nonetheless we did break their will. Our young team wrote this story and saw it for themselves. It has begun. As our players' experience with this team attack increases, we'll see this happen earlier and earlier in the game against stronger and stronger teams. Everyone will hate us for this. So be it.

DA'a strategy is clear. It is the same strategy that he pursued to win the last championship. This time the objective is not a championship with aging stars. Rather, it is about creating a permanently dominant team. His comments about Rondo and team were telling. His actions make sense. "Draft, develop and deal." Now we are going to have a permanent influx of new talent to feed his gambling ways.

For the first championship he had a garbage roster and no cap space. That was a touch place to start. And he had to get results and quickly. Remember we drafted Perk in the late first round. Perk with his young knees and 9' 4.5" standing reach was a critical piece of our team. Do you remember the game in Chicago when Pierce stopped leading the league in dental work? Do you remember the team paying the fine for Perk's retaliation?

The grand strategy is clear now. All DA's actions fit. We are going to try to have two or three Perk or Rondo types drafted every year. And that talent, once developed, will feed stable of trading chips for DA.

My biggest concern right now is DA's heart. For a 55 year old he looks like hell. He's already had a heart attack & that can't be good for his brain. Hopefully, he has five or ten good years left in him.

[Banks2Pierce]

Anyone catch the Rondo press conference?

A Chinese reporter genuinely asked Dwight Powell if he expected to receive treatment similar to Linsanity. I have no idea what he was talking about. Is Powell part Asian? Powell had no idea what to say, but played it off well.

[grantlongforpresident]

My 2 cents:

Rondo is still an excellent player but he is a poor fit on this team. While he hasn't been playing his best ball lately, it is pretty impressive that he is leading the league in assists despite playing with a pretty lousy team. That said, he needs more offensive talent around him to truly thrive, and will get that in Dallas.

A lot of the rondo criticism is unfair. I think some posters are disappointed because he wasn't a good 1st or 2nd option on offense. That isn't his skill set but that doesn't take away from how special a player he is.

Let me ask this: Did you want shaq shooting 3's, Nash rebounding in the paint, or Rodman dishing assists?

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

http://www.massholesports.com/2014/12/v ... hy-he.html

Found this somewhat funny.

[sam_I_am]

My 2 cents:

Rondo is still an excellent player but he is a poor fit on this team. While he hasn't been playing his best ball lately, it is pretty impressive that he is leading the league in assists despite playing with a pretty lousy team. That said, he needs more offensive talent around him to truly thrive, and will get that in Dallas.

A lot of the rondo criticism is unfair. I think some posters are disappointed because he wasn't a good 1st or 2nd option on offense. That isn't his skill set but that doesn't take away from how special a player he is.

Let me ask this: Did you want shaq shooting 3's, Nash rebounding in the paint, or Rodman dishing assists?

Nice post. I heard this analogy and it is perfect I think. If you have a great car (ie. team), Rondo is a great driver. He just proved this year he can't be the great car himself like a Westbrook or a healthy Rose can. In Dallas he doesn't have to be the car - but there will be times at key moments where he will look like he is both. Perfect situation for him.

[BannersOnly]

I'm a Rondo guy, but did anyone else get rubbed the wrong way by his comments down at the Dallas press conference tonight?

""I've been fortunate enough to play for future Hall of Famers and great teams and a great coach in Doc Rivers. And to get back to that situation and be able to play with future Hall of Famers and a great coach and a team that's ready to contend for a title, I'm fired up. I'm ready to go."


He's up there talking about how he played for a great coach in Doc Rivers and now he's happy to be playing for a great coach again in Rick Carlisle. Really, bro? I'm not saying Stevens is a great NBA coach but nobody can convince me that that comment wasn't a little shot at Stevens. Was he mad because Stevens benched him in the Washington game a week ago? Stevens looked like he went out of his way to win Rondo over so not sure what Rondo's beef would be. Just seems like some things are better left not said. Rubbed me the wrong way.

Stevens has done jacksquat at the NBA level and Rondo has played few games under him. Why is he obligated to compliment him?

I didn't say he needed to.......some things are just better left not said. And, frankly, I don't consider Rivers to be a great coach. I couldn't stand the guy when he was here and I was ecstatic when he left town. I always said he was a fraud...........always kissing the media's ass so they wrote great things about him and he was constantly leaking info to Wojo at Yahoo. Great coach my ass.

[DorfonCeltics]

Anyone catch the Rondo press conference?

A Chinese reporter genuinely asked Dwight Powell if he expected to receive treatment similar to Linsanity. I have no idea what he was talking about. Is Powell part Asian? Powell had no idea what to say, but played it off well.

That was hilarious. The connection is Powell went to Stanford so he is Ivy League like Lin. He just did a horrible job at articulating his question. Broken English is my second language so I was able to understand what he was saying.

[FlatearthZorro]

You'd think at least Crowder and Wright would be happy at a chance to earn minutes and money..

I thought the exact same thing. They should be literally excited to be here and have the opportunity to earn more money in the comming years, I can understand Jameer tho.

[BannersOnly]

And why is Perkins always speaking for Rondo? Can't stand that. Let grown men speak for themselves. I guess Perkins is no longer relevant on the court so he feels the need to be relevant in online gossip articles. Worry about your own situation and atrocious game pal.

[humblebum]

Look at Rondo's scoring numbers and shooting percentages. Dude isn't just a bad 1st or 2nd option. He just can't score and is one of the most limited scoring guards in the NBA. It's a testament to how good he is passing the ball that he's been so good over his career.

The Rodman comparison is bunk. Rodman was a power forward and an absolutely dominant defender. Rondo is no where near that level of defender.

Rondo to me is like Russell Wilson. Put a great team around him and he has enough moxy and athleticism to get the job done in an unorthodox fashion but if you ask him to carry a team like Aaron Rogers and it's going to be FUGLY.

[sully00]

Anyone catch the Rondo press conference?

A Chinese reporter genuinely asked Dwight Powell if he expected to receive treatment similar to Linsanity. I have no idea what he was talking about. Is Powell part Asian? Powell had no idea what to say, but played it off well.

That was hilarious. The connection is Powell went to Stanford so he is Ivy League like Lin. He just did a horrible job at articulating his question. Broken English is my second language so I was able to understand what he was saying.

Stanford is not an Ivy League school it is in California and is one of best NCAA Div 1 athletic schools in the country. Ivy League schools don't give out athletic scholarships.

[GuyClinch]

Rondo to me is like Russell Wilson. Put a great team around him and he has enough moxy and athleticism to get the job done in an unorthodox fashion but if you ask him to carry a team like Aaron Rogers and it's going to be FUGLY.

QB comparisons for Rondo are the problem. Rondo didn't understand that the Celtics wanted a basketball player - not a guy whose only job is to set people up. Brad Stevens like almost all modern coaches wants 5 guys that can shoot, pass and drive. And on the defensive end they need to be able to D up guys. Rondo should be able to drive - but isn't and he can't really shoot by NBA standards. And his defense has been poor - unless you shop around for some broken statistic that makes it look good.

Its not 'shocking' that the team has played better without him the past couple of years. Older players like Pierce and KG might sometimes appreciate the burden that Rondo takes off their ball handling duties but guys like Sully, KO, Green, even AB want to handle the ball. AB had 7 assists last night.

Privately I'd wager that Stevens is thrilled about this deal. He has guys who will listen to him. Despite protests to the contrary does anyone here outside of the usual suspects think Rondo was running the motion offense?

[humblebum]

Rondo to me is like Russell Wilson. Put a great team around him and he has enough moxy and athleticism to get the job done in an unorthodox fashion but if you ask him to carry a team like Aaron Rogers and it's going to be FUGLY.

QB comparisons for Rondo are the problem. Rondo didn't understand that the Celtics wanted a basketball player - not a guy whose only job is to set people up. Brad Stevens like almost all modern coaches wants 5 guys that can shoot, pass and drive. And on the defensive end they need to be able to D up guys. Rondo should be able to drive - but isn't and he can't really shoot by NBA standards. And his defense has been poor - unless you shop around for some broken statistic that makes it look good.

Its not 'shocking' that the team has played better without him the past couple of years. Older players like Pierce and KG might sometimes appreciate the burden that Rondo takes off their ball handling duties but guys like Sully, KO, Green, even AB want to handle the ball. AB had 7 assists last night.

Privately I'd wager that Stevens is thrilled about this deal. He has guys who will listen to him. Despite protests to the contrary does anyone here outside of the usual suspects think Rondo was running the motion offense?

Agreed all around, and someone pointed this out about Rondo's presser in Dallas. He talks about making reads and getting guys the ball in spots... It's like he thinks he's a quarterback out there.

I agree. Basketball is a rhythm game and the best way to find the beat is to touch and dribble the basketball a bit.

I bet Stevens is excited too. When Rondo is on a team... you almost have to succumb to letting him play the game his way. He can change a bit here and there... and I think he tried to do that under Stevens. But ultimately the ball tends to stick with him and he ends up making all the reads in the "motion" offense. And frankly, it's kind of out of necessity. As soon as Rondo DOESN'T have the ball his man is doubling or shading toward one of Rondo's teammates, making it more difficult for them to score.

I'm sure the diehards in Dallas will see this. When Monta has the ball Rondo's man will be helping on Dirk or Monta.

[Slartibartfast]

Rondo to me is like Russell Wilson. Put a great team around him and he has enough moxy and athleticism to get the job done in an unorthodox fashion but if you ask him to carry a team like Aaron Rogers and it's going to be FUGLY.

QB comparisons for Rondo are the problem. Rondo didn't understand that the Celtics wanted a basketball player - not a guy whose only job is to set people up. Brad Stevens like almost all modern coaches wants 5 guys that can shoot, pass and drive. And on the defensive end they need to be able to D up guys. Rondo should be able to drive - but isn't and he can't really shoot by NBA standards. And his defense has been poor - unless you shop around for some broken statistic that makes it look good.

Its not 'shocking' that the team has played better without him the past couple of years. Older players like Pierce and KG might sometimes appreciate the burden that Rondo takes off their ball handling duties but guys like Sully, KO, Green, even AB want to handle the ball. AB had 7 assists last night.

Privately I'd wager that Stevens is thrilled about this deal. He has guys who will listen to him. Despite protests to the contrary does anyone here outside of the usual suspects think Rondo was running the motion offense?

What exactly were we running in the Magic game? I think Rondo bought in fine to the system - it was his frequent inability/unwillingness to score that would muck things up.

But as we will soon see, the replacement guards will soon be mucking things up in their own way once the competition stiffens and the entire game isn't one big transition sequence.

[exculpatory]

Outstanding & insightful posts as usual by Humble & Pete.

[GuyClinch]

What exactly were we running in the Magic game? I think Rondo bought in fine to the system - it was his frequent inability/unwillingness to score that would muck things up.

This is not buying into the system. With a motion offense your guys have to be willing to shoot - even if they aren't great shooters. This is true in all systems - of course but in the motion offense its very obvious and that's because you have more guys handling the ball and moving without the ball.

Honestly, I think at least with the Celtics Rondo has badly regressed. For a couple of years there under Doc he was willing to shoot when given opportunities. Back when he was playing his best with us - and I always say this about Rondo - its when he was having massive scoring games.

Rondo's BEST game as a Celtic is when he scored 44 points. He was saying - dare me to shoot/drive - and I will PUNISH you. You need this attitude. Rondo had gone from this - back into his shell with us. He was passing up good shots and always looking for the assist. It's like all that work to make Rondo a complete basketball player went out the window. He reminded me of Rodman who almost had to be goaded to score.

I honestly don't know what was going on with Rondo. Was he mailing it in because he wanted to be moved? Had he just lost total confidence in his shot? Was he playing in this way to spite Stevens? I don't know. I do know that while the Celtics are going to lack some in talent now - they will be easier to coach, IMHO.

The Rondo club on this board has been spending years convincing themselves that no one should handle the ball but Rondo - and that's the way the game should be played because that's how Rondo played it. But in reality it was Rondo with his 'grip' on the team messing things up for a young Brad Stevens. Stevens would put up with it because of his talent - but you have to speculate that he was like "hey Danny move this guy for some talent that fits how I want to coach.."

[31to6]

Pete and Humblebum are saying what I didn't articulate as well last night. And if I put on my psychologist hat I'd propose that Rondo's been overcompensating for his obvious scoring deficiency by trying to put APG through the roof for years now. It worried me when it started ('most assists through the first 10 games of the season' stat-tracking, that 'most games with 10+ assists' stuff, until the last days we had arguments about how meaningful leading the league in triple doubles with 10-12-10 games in losses really was, etc.) and over the last three years turned one of my favorite Celtics into someone I was ready to move on from. Ironically, it didn't have to be that way - if he weren't so stubborn, he could just keep shooting his floater and jumper and suck it up and be a 16-5-9 guy. But he had to try to be the iconoclastic genius and be a 10-10-13 guy (not that that happened, but I think that was his dream, to be 'first since the Big O' to average a triple double).

Most of the Mavs quotes are emphasizing his ability on D, with good reason, and I'm sure he has enough to prove that he'll put in the effort there. If he doesn't that next contract's not going to be what he's hoping. I'm just glad to be able to stop thinking about his idiosyncracies now.

[BRUNiNHO91]

http://www.massholesports.com/2014/12/video-idiot-reporter-asked-rondo-why-he.html

Found this somewhat funny.

Mark Cuban's laugh as she asked him the question was pure gold.

[CelticFaninLBC]

Trade didn't look too good when first announced. However, considering the pick is probably in 2016, and Dallas has an old star in Dirk and plays in a brutal conference that pick could be in the 10-14 range. Also, the TPE could probably get Ainge another pick...

I can't blame Ainge for holding onto Rondo this long, because there was a really good shot @ Love, until the League rigged the draft for Cleveland.

In regard to Wright & Nelson, I suspect both are gone by the trade deadline... Both can help a team.