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I'm not sure if there was a previous thread on this, but I keep getting nightmares and 'deja vu' on the last two games where Rondo steals the ball, leads the fastbreak, and has it blocked by Josh Smith

Same thing when he drives to the baseline, where he tries to do reverse or undergoal stab, and has it swatted out by the same guy (at least as I remember it)..

Good adjustment from yesterday though was that Rajon took the outside shots (and made them.. whew) since the defense was anticipating a drive..

I dunno, probably lame thread, but just wanted to share

Not lame at all my friend.

Smith is a great shot blocker and a heck of a leaper with great timing. Admittedly, Rondo could've thrown an extra fake here or there, but coulda shoulda woulda, oh well. I'm sure anyone who has played basketball can tell you, when you're barreling down the court on a fast break, it's tough to be aware of everything and everyone when all you're telling yourself is "don't miss the easy layup, don't miss the easy layup."

But Rondo is a pro, is more athletic than all of us combined, and will get the hang of it! He doesn't play against Josh Smith every game, so this'll just be a distant memory in a few days!!!

I would rather see him go to the rim and get blocked than to stop attacking. I will be worried when he is scared to go at Smith and when he shows fear of getting his shot blocked but I am not worried by what I have seen thus far!

thebirdman wrote:I would rather see him go to the rim and get blocked than to stop attacking. I will be worried when he is scared to go at Smith and when he shows fear of getting his shot blocked but I am not worried by what I have seen thus far!

What he said!

Smiths' body-check "blocks" on Rondo in game 4 drove me nuts, but other than that, what can you do? Smith is a fantastic shot blocker. Just tip your hat to his talent and keep attacking the rim. Don't fear his ability, just respect it.

And Yodi, I don't think we all have to worry about Rajon Rondo being afraid of much of anything!

The problem on the breaks is Rondo has consistently driven with the intention of dunking and with 1 or 2 exceptions, he gets swatted. He's not tall enough to do that and it be safe from blocking. He should throw a fake to get Smith flying by him and then lay it in.

He did it again last night, for goodness' sake!

Smith and Rondo played in high school together. In today's Herald, Rondo says he's been trying to dunk on Smith for years, with no luck.

Rondo has played great all series. No one has his number. Smith is a great shot blocker and got Rondo a few times (one of which in game 4 should've been called a foul). The block last night when Rondo eventually took Smith's sneaker off, he was paying attention to the guy on his left and didn't realize Smith was behind him on his right and he just left the ball open to get swatted. No big deal. I love that Rondo keeps attacking the basket.

It's all good stuff. Smith is really an impressive young player, very physically gifted. Rondo needs to learn how to get past him. Easier said than done.

IF rondo had better court awareness here, shielded the ball with his body,and put the ball off the glass it doesn't get blocked.

Look at the plays, rondo is showing the ball, and smith is such a great athlete he is making the block. If Rondo tries another one handed slam I am going to scream. Drive hard,protect the ball, and put it off the glass.

jfs1000d wrote:IF rondo had better court awareness here, shielded the ball with his body,and put the ball off the glass it doesn't get blocked.

Look at the plays, rondo is showing the ball, and smith is such a great athlete he is making the block. If Rondo tries another one handed slam I am going to scream. Drive hard,protect the ball, and put it off the glass.

Not only that, Smith is taller and longer than Rondo. The kid is an incredible shot-blocker. Rondo can barely get over the rim..he's begging for it to get blocked every time!

Not only that, Smith is taller and longer than Rondo. The kid is an incredible shot-blocker. Rondo can barely get over the rim..he's begging for it to get blocked every time!

I think Rondo gets up pretty well for a tiny player. The problem is he forgets that he is in the NBA now and needs to go to tricky off the glass layups and such when trying to finish in traffic..as he is the smaller guy.

Pete

I have noticed a few times that Rondo has either not seen Smith or not realized what a great shot blocker he is. Having watched Smith all year, you can always see his blocks coming. A lot of times you'll see the more experienced guys get him up in the air and force a foul, but Rondo has just been going up like it's nothing, and he has paid for it.

Other than that he has had a hell of a series.

GuyClinch wrote:

Not only that, Smith is taller and longer than Rondo. The kid is an incredible shot-blocker. Rondo can barely get over the rim..he's begging for it to get blocked every time!

I think Rondo gets up pretty well for a tiny player. The problem is he forgets that he is in the NBA now and needs to go to tricky off the glass layups and such when trying to finish in traffic..as he is the smaller guy.

Pete

Yes, Rondo does elevate well for a PG, but him against Smith? No contest. It might as well be me (all 6'5" of me) vs Smith...I'd have the same luck!

Young Rondo would do himself a favor to watch some tape of Chris Paul. CP turns potential blocked shots into and-1 opportunities by creating the contact. Rondo needs to take his time and make sure to body up with the shot blocker even on the break sometimes.

There are a few things shotblockers love:

*Players who show a lot of ball early
*Players who are predictable when with their move so it's easy to time the jump. They hate pump fakes
*And no body contact so they don't get called for a foul.

Young Rondo is giving Josh Smith all three of those advantages.

13 ppg, 8 asp, 4 rpg 2 spg. 47% from the field and 0.8 turnovers per game. Are we really having this conversation?? Rondo has been great in this series and both ends of the floor. He's done a great job of getting to the rim and getting shots off. Why are we making such a big deal about one of the best shot blockers in the game getting him a few times. I can't imagine what this thread would be like if Mike Bibby was our starting point guard.

Rondo on Smith under "Long time coming":

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... rticleFull

CelticsWhat! wrote:Rondo has played great all series. No one has his number. Smith is a great shot blocker and got Rondo a few times (one of which in game 4 should've been called a foul). The block last night when Rondo eventually took Smith's sneaker off, he was paying attention to the guy on his left and didn't realize Smith was behind him on his right and he just left the ball open to get swatted. No big deal. I love that Rondo keeps attacking the basket.

The one culminating in the shoe removal was NOT a clean block. Smith's shoulder hit Rondo's body -- even before Smith's hand hit the ball.

That's why Smith and Rondo were rolling around amongst the cameramen in the first place.

why is rondo trying to get these shots over smith?


I dont understand why he doesnt stop and pump fake, at least. And if he does bite, pass it back out and reset the offense. I've seen him get blocked about 6-7 times this series and 5 of which he knew smith was right there waiting for him.


I like his aggressive play, but, it has cost us some crucial points, and the lil guy could get injured.

cavsfan_osiris wrote:Young Rondo would do himself a favor to watch some tape of Chris Paul. CP turns potential blocked shots into and-1 opportunities by creating the contact. Rondo needs to take his time and make sure to body up with the shot blocker even on the break sometimes.

There are a few things shotblockers love:

*Players who show a lot of ball early
*Players who are predictable when with their move so it's easy to time the jump. They hate pump fakes
*And no body contact so they don't get called for a foul.

Young Rondo is giving Josh Smith all three of those advantages.

Astute observations, IMO. I was going to suggest varying his steps to draw contact such as what you are proposing. These are the things you'd hope a crafty vet like Sam Cassell is putting in his ear.

FakeScreenName123 wrote:why is rondo trying to get these shots over smith?


I dont understand why he doesnt stop and pump fake, at least. And if he does bite, pass it back out and reset the offense. I've seen him get blocked about 6-7 times this series and 5 of which he knew smith was right there waiting for him.


I like his aggressive play, but, it has cost us some crucial points, and the lil guy could get injured.

I've been saying this in multiple threads all week, man