Summary of Rondo WEEI Interview

Celts17Pride · Post #1 » by **Celts17Pride** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:20 pm

from MrTripleDouble10 at CelticsBlog.com

http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php ... icseen#new

The link is not up yet for the audio, but they did ask him about the trade rumors, him showing up late, etc.

-Said he's talked to Danny and Doc about the rumors and Danny told him he never guarantees that anyone won't be traded, they are not making an effort to

-He said his daily routine is to always show up as late as possible to games because he doesn't like going there early and "wasting time." He likes to get there and just get right into game mode. Says it's just his thing, like it's Ray's thing to want to be there real early for games to shoot. He said nobody on the team or coaching staff has an issue with it.

-Said he would like to consider himself a max contract player some day, and thinks he will be if he keeps working at it. As of now he's just letting his agent talk to Danny about an extension.

-Has been working in the gym everyday, but hasn't "touched a ball yet." (per the coaching staff mostly, but they are designing his basketball workout now for the summer)

-Said he doesn't want to be traded but understands it's a business.

-They asked about him being "headstrong" (i.e. teammates not liking him) and he said that people will always believe what they want to believe. But being a PG and being a leader, and wanting to be the best PG in the league, he thinks he has to step out sometimes to lead, but always wants to stay within the flow of the team. It's just his way of leading the team and he's sure that all the greats at some point in their career were like that as well.

-Wouldn't guarantee it, but basically feels the Celtics should win "a couple more championships with this group," including this year coming up.

The audio should be up, but those were the vitals.

celticsnut · Post #2 » by **celticsnut** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:27 pm

Good stuff, thanks CeltsPride. I have been on the fence the last couple of weeks on what to do and I have come to the conclusion that we need to keep the starting 5 in tack. Rondo is going to be so good next year with KG back. All we need is a decent wing who can score the ball on their own off the bench and I think we have something.

Celts17Pride · Post #3 » by **Celts17Pride** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:30 pm

I think Danny Ainge is doing what he does every year which is offer everyone and see if he gets blown away by an offer. Really that is what he is suppose to be doing as GM. I believe the whole starting 5 will be back and the Celtics will make small trades and hit free agency hard.

jfs1000d · Post #4 » by **jfs1000d** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 1:34 pm

He's a goner. If not now, next year in a S&T.

Danny told him to his face that he may be traded. Ainge doesn't make guarantees? KG doesn't have to worry.

Ainge could have said to Rondo, "never say never, but not happening." Instead, Ainge tells rondo essentially he is available.

And one other thing: "I like to show up late so I don't waste time?"

BS. This is Iversonesque. It's about preparation and mental fitness. Rondo is out of it in some games and doesn't put in the mental work. And, he hasn't touched a ball yet? Because the shooting is so good?

Enough already. Make the trade.

BakersDozen · Post #5 » by **BakersDozen** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:03 pm

I have to admit Rondo saying he likes to get to the game as late as possible didn't leave me with a smile. No one is saying he has to be like Ray but there are still some young guys who look up to Rondo... set an example Rajon.

jfs1000d · Post #6 » by **jfs1000d** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:10 pm

BTW, getting to games late etc. would account for at times rondo plays like he just showed up.

Rondo relies on his ability, he doesn't put in the other work of a professional. I am more down on him now than ever after this interview.

He should be at the arena working on his shooting form and going through the game plan. He did this for the playoffs?

Rondo has talent. I question the work ethic and professionalism. No wonder the guy plays like he just showed up and tossed a green uniform on. That's essentially what he does. In chaotic games, he looks great when it's just about making plays.

Whenever it's a halfcourt game or requires execution,Rondo fails.

Trade while the value is high.

Kefa461 · Post #7 » by **Kefa461** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:10 pm

Listen to the interview......judge for yourself......imo...trouble in paradise.

http://audio.weei.com/m/23124604/rajon- ... ics-pg.htm

8-)

the whiz · Post #8 » by **the whiz** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:14 pm

thanks for the link Kefa listening now

AlCelticFan · Post #9 » by **AlCelticFan** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:55 pm

Rondo doesn't strike me as a dynamic speaker...

jfs1000d · Post #10 » by **jfs1000d** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:33 pm

He strikes me as a jerk. This is a guy who is rookie year was on one of the worst teams in NBA history. Now, he doesn't think he has to show up until the last minute? Get this guy off the roster and team.

When Pierce and KG retire, we got a "Rod Strickland" clone on our hands.

hickfromfrenchlick · Post #11 » by **hickfromfrenchlick** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:41 pm

It sounds like Rondo didn't help himself with this crew with that interview.

I'm still a Rondo fan. I thought his performance against Chicago was absolutely mindblowing. Phenomenal. He struggled against Orlando but so did others.

Yet he's drawing all the blame.

I guess people need someone to be mad at. I'm not mad at anyone. When KG went down, that guaranteed that we wouldn't win a championship. Rondo gave us a thrilling playoffs, which is something to be appreciative of considering we knew we weren't going all the way.

Frankly, I think it's silly that everyone's ganging up on Rondo just a month after everyone thought he was a top-5 PG. One mediocre playoff series and that's that?

I don't like some of the comments in the interview but there's nothing terrible in there.

meatball sub · Post #12 » by **meatball sub** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:48 pm

I'm never against trading a player (unless it's PP) if it improves our team. If Ainge can cash in on both Ray's contract and Rondo's high value this offseason, I won't be against it.

I still love you, Rondo, even though many fans have turned on you at the drop of a dime.

TheOGJabroni · Post #13 » by **TheOGJabroni** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:50 pm

I still like Rondo as well. But this interview... ahh. I don't know what to think/want anymore.

pac213up · Post #14 » by **pac213up** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:03 pm

bosFcelts wrote:I still like Rondo as well. But this interview... ahh. I don't know what to think/want anymore.

Not the greatest interview IMO but ultimately it comes down to how he performs. Without him we lose to Chicago and probably do not get the 2nd seed in the 1st place. Ultimately how hard he works or does not work will show in his game next year. He was certainly better from year 1 to year 3 and needs to do the same in year 4. Many, many NBA players and other athletes are overtly confident in the their abilities (See Pierce's comments about being the best player), I don't read into it too much unless they do not perform. Rondo's at a point where his cockiness could make him slack off or drive him to elevate his game to a very very high level. This is where good coaching and veteran teammates make a huge difference.

AlCelticFan · Post #15 » by **AlCelticFan** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:17 pm

To be fair he says he likes to get to the game and spend 30 minute sin the parking lot mentally preparing himself for the game. He says he prefers this to going in and shooting the **** in the locker room. He gave me the impression the purpose was to STAY focused, not to lollygag in the locker room.

Celtics_85 · Post #16 » by **Celtics_85** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:21 pm

If Rondo really wants to be an all-star then there are a few things he must get better at. He needs to more consistant with his jumper, needs to work on his floater in the lane, and needs to become a better free throw shooter. If he can get defenders to play more up on him then he can get to the rim easier, and with improvement he will make them play up on him. Now, with his floater he drives me nuts sometimes, with a guy with his jumping ability he just doesn't get up high enough to release the floater where he needs to. I also think his free throw shooting has a lot to do with him not finishing around the rim well enough. Rondo will shy from contact around the rim and try the harder finish rather than getting contact and going to the line, and it could be because of his free throw shooting wows. If he wants to get to the next level of play he needs to address these areas.

pac213up · Post #17 » by **pac213up** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:46 pm

Celtics_85 wrote:If Rondo really wants to be an all-star then there are a few things he must get better at. He needs to more consistant with his jumper, needs to work on his floater in the lane, and needs to become a better free throw shooter. If he can get defenders to play more up on him then he can get to the rim easier, and with improvement he will make them play up on him. Now, with his floater he drives me nuts sometimes, with a guy with his jumping ability he just doesn't get up high enough to release the floater where he needs to. I also think his free throw shooting has a lot to do with him not finishing around the rim well enough. Rondo will shy from contact around the rim and try the harder finish rather than getting contact and going to the line, and it could be because of his free throw shooting wows. If he wants to get to the next level of play he needs to address these areas.

Good point on that floater. I think some of the time he is looking to pass and just throws up there as a last option. Not necessarily a bad thing when you have Pierce & Allen open BUT if you are just as open from 5 ft you need to become an aggressive scorer. You see flashes of it when he goes up for some of those dunks, so it's there.

Post #18 » by **sully00** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:50 pm

jfs1000d wrote:He strikes me as a jerk. This is a guy who is rookie year was on one of the worst teams in NBA history. Now, he doesn't think he has to show up until the last minute? Get this guy off the roster and team.

When Pierce and KG retire, we got a "Rod Strickland" clone on our hands.

Are you serious? How do you get such a grudge against a guy who has done nothing but play well for you team and help win a championship. This reads like the dopes posting about Ray Allen like he stole their girlfriend.

This **** is weak.

GreenMachine · Post #19 » by **GreenMachine** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:05 pm

AlCelticFan wrote:To be fair he says he likes to get to the game and spend 30 minute sin the parking lot mentally preparing himself for the game. He says he prefers this to going in and shooting the **** in the locker room. He gave me the impression the purpose was to STAY focused, not to lollygag in the locker room.

Yep. I don't blame him one bit for this. Its not like he is not putting the work in... he just doesn't want to sit around the locker room BSing. He wants to arrive, warm up and play. This is a non issue - just an excuse for haters to hate.

pac213up · Post #20 » by **pac213up** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:13 pm

jfs1000d wrote:He strikes me as a jerk. This is a guy who is rookie year was on one of the worst teams in NBA history. Now, he doesn't think he has to show up until the last minute? Get this guy off the roster and team.

When Pierce and KG retire, we got a "Rod Strickland" clone on our hands.

Just out of curiosity, how many triple doubles did Rod Strickland put up?