Rondo --That's what I am talking about

jfs1000d · Post #1 » by **jfs1000d** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:54 pm

As ya'll may know, I have been overly critical of Rondo maybe to a fault. I stand by what I said for the most part as criticisms, but he showed up on Tuesday.

I said in an earlier thread I would give him 5 minutes in Game 6 to figure it out. In those 5 minutes I saw all I needed. Rondo's stats weren't great early, what was he 1-for-6 or something? Most people were probably frustrated. I wasn't. I was downright giddy from what I saw. Rondo was all over the floor in the first quarter, and even by missing shots, he was playing with confidence and aggression.

He is flawed, but when he plays with controlled aggression and confidence he is a load to handle.

If I am Rondo and Doc, I watch that tape the entire offense. Look what energy and aggressiveness can overcome? He is a terrible shooter and scorer, but he was so aggressive and disruptive offensively and defensively he dominated the Lakers.

Why have I been so critical? Because I think Rondo can play like he did every night.

Pro point guards have to find a way to get it done and I thought Rondo in Game 4 and 5 was way too passive and timid. I think he got the message. When rondo plays as he did, the Celtics are absolutely lethal.

His play, considering the previous two games, was absolutely inspiring. It wasn't his effectiveness. His energy dominated the Lakers.

He needs to be more consistent,his dreadful games need to only be subpar. But you know what? He has won an NBA title. What more do we want?

Who am I to critique?

Rondo

cloverleaf · Post #2 » by **cloverleaf** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:07 pm

How many posters here are simultaneously good on a unicycle, juggling five lit torches and reciting the alphabet backwards? That is something like playing point guard in the NBA. And that Rondo at age 22 might reverse a p and a q or only catch a torch at the last second is to be expected, but it doesn't mean he's not good on a unicycle.

The Zen Master himself said Rondo was the MVP of last night's most important and arguably best game the C's have played all year. Sure, he might make you gasp now and then, but he got the job done. And as to his shooting, I say he's going to be a 20 pt scorer with a reliable 3pt shot by the time he's 25. He'll also be a 2-3 time All-Star with 2 or 3 championship rings by then--and up there with Paul and Williams as the 'Big 3' point guards in a new generation of point guard play.

DorfonCeltics · Post #3 » by **DorfonCeltics** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:22 pm

Rondo struggles like most young point guards, with consistency. He usually plays good at home and not so good on the road. However, he will be the first quadrouple double in the NBA. Pretty dam close last night.

BillessuR6 · Post #4 » by **BillessuR6** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 2:28 pm

If he works on his jumper this off-season like he did last summer he will be able to punish teams with it with regularity unlike this season.

He is going to be so much better in his third year...can`t wait to see him improve and grow into one of the best PG`s in the league...

Post #5 » by **tlee324** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:32 pm

I'm just glad he didn't sit him for game 6, as you advocated.... this team was just a stalwart defensively with Rondo and Garnett so locked in....

jfs1000d · Post #6 » by **jfs1000d** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 3:34 pm

BadMuthaCeltic wrote:I'm just glad he didn't sit him for game 6, as you advocated.... this team was just a stalwart defensively with Rondo and Garnett so locked in....

Correction. I advocated sitting him if he did nothing in the first 5 minutes. He was stellar in the first 5. I would have played him even more.

return2glory · Post #7 » by **return2glory** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:41 pm

Rondo was amazing. That's what happens when he plays healthy. Rondo wasn't the same after hurting his ankle earlier in the series. The Lakers thought that by putting Kobe on Rondo, Kobe was going to stop Rajon. While Kobe didn't stop Rondo, Rondo's injury did.

By game 6, Rondo's ankle was feeling a lot better. Kobe couldn't stay with Rondo's quickness and speed. Rajon made Kobe look bad on a few plays. He got an and 1 on Kobe and also picked him clean. Rondo outplayed Fisher is the series and played hurt during half of the games.

Dirty Water · Post #8 » by **Dirty Water** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 5:43 pm

He has his flaws (weak shooting, bonehead plays) but that is stuff that can be easily ironed out in the NBA. You can't help but be excited for the future of this young PG.

Post #9 » by **UGA Hayes** » Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:38 pm

Regardless of his up and down play its hard not to be pretty pumped about his future. So many of his flaws are the type that will be corrected with nothing more than age and experience. Things like his tentativeness and passing up layups are unlikely to stick with him for long. His jumpshooting and even FT shooting really made huge strides this year. Even his defense can be a lot better as hard as it is to believe. Before this year on the comparison board I wrote that I felt Rondo would end up only behing Paul when looking at the current young PG (although I think Rose could join that group too) and I still feel that way. His raw talent is so good that even when he has terrible offensive games he does a lot of things that help us win.

Fencer reregistered · Post #10 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 7:11 am

A number of great guards have had major improvements in shooting over the course of their pro careers. Magic and Jordan lead the list. And neither of them, IIRC, came out as a sophomore.

He'll be fine.

jfs1000d · Post #11 » by **jfs1000d** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 3:51 pm

Fencer, both Magic and Jordan came out as sophomores.

Anyhow, Magic couldn't shoot, but he was 6-9 and could go inside and score. Rondo either has to become a better shooter, or he has to be able to finish better in the lane.

If he gets one, he becomes a good player, if he does both, he will be lethal considering all the secondary stuff he does.