Why this Rondo hate?

[John Locke]

It's a long time since us Celtics fans had a 23 year old Point guard that has:

* Won a chmapionship

* Led the league in win-shares

* Avg almost a Triple double in the playoffs

* Is among the league leaders in Assists and steals

* Was voted the best On-the-ball defender in the league with Kobe Bryant.

It just seems that WHATEVER he does, people on this board continue to find something negative to say. Why not just celebrate these acheivements, from such a young player who has only played for the Celtics.

I just don't understand why some people here are rooting against a key player for their own team.

I know some people overrate Rondo, but the other camp (Rondo-bashers) have gone too far aswell.

I am, honestly, curious to know why people here are against Rondo. Some people point out that defenses sag off him in the half-court, that he gambles sometimes on D or whatever. But why not see what's good about him?

[BillessuR6]

First of all, I just don`t think his skills are fully utilized in our system. He is a run and gun type of PG. When we run and he is aggressive he looks like the best PG in the league in a slow paced game he is average at best.

In the playoffs we will be in trouble again with Rondo at PG. We basically play 4 on 5 on offense in half court games. And other teams have a much easier time defending us because they can double off of Rondo...


But one thing that bothers me the most about him is his attitude, on court demeanor, mentality...He seems to lack the killer instinct, he doesn`t give 100% all the time, he is extremely moody person...I just miss fire, desire, energy every single game...

He also doesn`t seem to be a hard worker. He only started a daily shooting routine last season after KG`s advice!?! His FT and jump shooting were horrible last year, so you would expect him to work hard on it during the summer, instead he only had 2 (two) session with Mark Price...That to me is a sign that he just doesn`t have the drive to develop...

If Rondo had Perk`s mentality and worked as hard as him, you wouldn`t have to make this thread today...

[Hemingway]

There seems to always be those who long for the glory days of being in a constant rebuild. They won't admit it, but they are the same people who did not want to trade for KG.

[hocje]

Ray doesn't have that kind of "fire, desire, energy" too

[floyd]

I think you need to read people's posts in context. Most of the negative Rondo posts are responses to hyperbole. I love Rondo, but I find it a huge stretch to say he's a super star, best player on the team, compare him to Larry Joe Bird, etc. That's just silly talk. He's a real nice player and a great fit on a team of scorers because he does a little bit of everything. If you want to say he's got a lot of upside, super star potential, fine. But to say he is a super star NOW is just plain wrong. The kid has a lot of work to do to get there. Hope he does.

[Tricky Ricky]

I love Rondo, once we signed him I said another 5 fun years of Boston basketball!

[darrendaye]

Personally I think there is a healthy balance of Rondo likers and lovers.....

And then you have one or two Rondo obsessors which, IMO, have spurred Rondo likers to take a more antagonistic demeanor in response to having the board inundated recently.

Much of the criticism, in general, comes down to the big payday and especially the fact that Rondo and his agent played hardball and Ainge caved. To an extent, I agree with Birdman about having some concern about his work ethic. As Doc stated and Rondo admitted in the offseason, he reaches too much playing on-ball defense rather than continue to move his feet. I still see that occuring early on this season. But basically it boils down to....now that you are being paid like a star, the expectations are higher. The board reacted the same way when Perkins signed his last contract.

Credit should be given to Rajon for the obvious hard work he has put in to build his body. It's also easy to forget as fans that Rondo exerts a ton of energy on the court and every player needs to find moments on the court to recuperate. But without an outside shot, it becomes difficult for him to continue to be a beneficial factor in the offense when he recuperates on the offensive end of the court. In a perfect world, Rondo would take his breathers by parking himself along the perimeter and catch and shoot when Pierce takes playmaker responsibilities. But his shot is still miles away from this being a good option. Despite my criticisms, you can surely count me among the Rondo lovers, or at least really likers.

[sully00]

Ray doesn't have that kind of "fire, desire, energy" too

This pretty much explains it, once you have the pay check you have a bulls eye on your back. Your name even gets brought up in irrational ways in threads that don't have anything to do with you.

[elrod enchilada]

I am a registered Rondo lover and have written widely on his game. I think he is a victim of his great talent, and his unusual game. There are lots of things Rondo can't do that elite point guards usually do very well: jump shooting, free throw shooting, finishing with his left hand, getting to the line. I am sympathetic to the Rondo-haters who dwell on these limitations, because most elite point guards have these aspects of the game mastered. If Rondo added these standard components to his game he would be off-the-charts good, a top 5 player. That Rondo is an annual MVP candidate.

But the Rondo we have is a top 15 or top 20 player in the league, warts and all. What he does cannot be taught. When I watch other NBA teams on league pass it is real clear that Rondo gives us a floor direction that most teams lack, at both ends.

As one of the posters pointed out, if Rondo played in a more wide-open running game, his game would blossom that much more. Let's hope that as Paul and Ray and KG fade Danny will replace them with race horses.

Rondo is the single most important player on the team, not necessarily the best, and he is the wildcard that will give us a chance at 18. The Lakers do not have an answer for him, and they match up well against us otherwise.

As for the psycho-babble about Rondo's attitude, the less said the better. He has a heart the size of Texas, is a warrior competitor, and his arrogance is a necessary ingredient. Star players are often not bear-hug back-slapping guys. They are hyper-competitive. Larry was a prickly douche-bag at times during his playing career too, but he was a prickly douche-bag who won titles, and we love him for it.

[John Locke]

I'm just curious to know how some people can question Rondo's work ethic, when all we see are games. And in these games Rondo is the player that works the hardest (pressuring the opposing PG, running the floor, going after loose balls, grabbing rebounds, etc).

Talking about work ethic...what about the transformation of Rondo's body? He added ALOT of weight, pure msucle.

People are basing their opinion on some reports, without really knowing what is really behind it. What about the fact that Rondo worked out with Mark Price? What about the time when Ainge said that right after the last game of the Finals (when we won it all...) he came to the gym to shoot.

And let's be clear on one thing. If defenses are sagging off him, it's not Rondo's problem. It's Doc's job to deal with that. And it should be up to the team to utilize this. I hope they have some ideas how to do that. For instance make Ray Allen cut down under the basket and come back out and get a screen from Rondo. If Rondo's man is sagging down, there is no one to help out on that screen.
It's just basic basketball stuff like this that can be used as a counter move.

Avery Johnson couldn't shoot, but the Spurs were able to use his skills when they became champs. It's a coaching thing. You cannot blame Rondo for how he's being used in our offense.

[GregB]

And then you have one or two Rondo obsessors which, IMO, have spurred Rondo likers to take a more antagonistic demeanor in response to having the board inundated recently.

This sums it up for me.

[darrendaye]

Avery Johnson couldn't shoot, but the Spurs were able to use his skills when they became champs. It's a coaching thing. You cannot blame Rondo for how he's being used in our offense.

As did Doc when the Celts won in 2008.

[tombattor]

Rondo is aiight for me. I just hope we're not saddled with an incomplete player who will be exposed once the Big 3 are gone.

[GoGoCeltics]

I love Rondo, I think he might be my favorite player in the league to watch, but he definitely has holes in his game. There is no way I'd call him the best on-ball defender in the league, that's for sure. For every one time he pokes the ball away, he gets burned plenty times more. He's lucky he has KG and Perk backing him up, because a lot of times his man blows right past him.

[Green Menace]

I really like him, they hate him cause:

- We got him for nothing.
- He played great and fearless in playoffs.
- He got 55 million without a jump shot

[tombattor]

I really like him, they hate him cause:

- We got him for nothing.
- He played great and fearless in playoffs.
- He got 55 million without a jump shot

Or more like because he can't shoot and his D is very overrated. But I don't think anyone really hates him. Just think he's overrated because he plays with good teammates.

[Wolves2011]

I really like him, they hate him cause:

- We got him for nothing.
- He played great and fearless in playoffs.
- He got 55 million without a jump shot

Or more like because he can't shoot and his D is very overrated. But I don't think anyone really hates him. Just think he's overrated because he plays with good teammates.

Your comment about Rondo's lack of D intrigues me.

We have 3 sources of information that say Rondo is a top Defender - coaches, GM's and stats. But you don't like any of them?

1) Voted 2nd Team ALL NBA Defensive TEAM (so 3rd or 4th best guard defender in NBA)
[Voted by NBA coaches]

2) Voted by NBA GM's as tied for best "on the ball defender" and 4th best perimeter defender.

3) Highest defensive "win share" among all guards last season - so #1 statistically.
Note: One of only 3 guards in NBA history, along with Jordan and Kidd to ranked as high as 3rd in defensive win share. Thats all of NBA history.

Yet, the coaches, GM's and stats are meaningless to you?

Interesting!!

[Spin Move]

I think there is 90% that like him (including myself) however many of us don't think he is quite worth the contract he just signed for the following reasons

1. Defenses can sag off of him at times and half the time he does not make them pay

2. He is a good defender at the PG spot, but due to rule changes even a good defender can only have a limited effect in stopping penetration so its a skill thats been devalued by the rules, if he played back in the early 90's rules his defense would be much better and more valuable. Some people think he gambles too much for steals, but I happen not to be one of them.

3. He is a pg who shoots below 65% from the line, really thats really bad, it also means he is a liability at the end of games. (under 40% so far this young season, yes it is very early)

4. He does not even threaten teams from 3 (He has not made a single 3 pointer this season), imagine how much better our offense would be if we could have his on the floor penetration threatand know that we can swing it too him and he will swish an open 3.

5. He has some trouble playing well with others and listening to coaches


Overall I like rondo and think he is a good player who I am glad we re-signed, I do not think he could have gotten a conract like he got on the open market, the wrong teams had cap space, so I think we overpaid some, that does not mean I am not glad we have him or that I think he is not a good player, every single one of his problems can be overcome with hard work and more wisdom with age.

He is
1. An excellent penetrater who shoots a very high percentage from 2 point land for a PG

2. An above average rebounder for his position

3. A skilled passer with good court vison

4. A solid protector of the ball on offense

5. An at times disruptive force on the defensive edge


I like rondo, I just happen to think at this point in his career he is worth 8 million a year not 11

[leper-con]

would you guys rather Rondo be like a scoring point guard such as the Immortal:
Steve Francis
Stephen Marbury
Allen Iverson
These guys sure could score and wanted to tbe the centre of the offense but as we all know they did jack and Sh_t for the other players around them.

[Bluewhale]

I think leper doesn't get it right. We don't need scoring PG, but we need a PG who can shoot from outside and free throw AT high percentage, as well as handling the ball well. None of SF/SM/AI are consistent shooter.

The proto-type is Billup or Nash, both worthy every penny of their contract.