Unhappy with Rondo

[DynastyInTheMaking]

Alright everyone has been praising Rondo this year, saying he is better than we thought and so on. While that is true, it also is not and for no other reason than he is our POINT GUARD.

In his past 10 games he is averaging only 5 assists per game with 4.8 being his total on the year. 7.4 is his average per 48 minutes. He has only 3 double digit assist games on the year. Pierce actually leads the team in assists.

My point is even though he has shot a better than anticipated percentage this year, we are going to need more assists out of him. He has been looking to score a lot more than he has pass. We need the pass first Point Guard, we dont need a scoring PG, that's not what fits with our personnel.

The last two games Rondo had 22 pts and just 1 assist and fouled out, cant help but think that line these had a negative effect on a close game. Against Golden State Rondo tries to be the hero and shoots a 3 in the corner when we have Pierce, Allen and House to do that. He has attempted 12 threes all season, in a one possession game in the final minute that is the last thing we need from him.

High assist totals should come natural for a PG on this team if Rondo can't do that then make him play off guard and bring in someone who can (This is why I advocate the signing of Andre Barrett in another thread).

[Spin Move]

Its hard to rack up alot of assists when Pierce and Allen and Garnett like the ball in their hands, and the only time you get to really have it is when our really good shooters are on teh bench for the most part.

[GreenMachine]

This has been gone over and over and over. PP and Ray both create their own shots. If the pass that leads to the assist was counted... Rondo would lead the league!

[GreenMachine]

And he DID NOT try to be a "hero" - PP pased him the ball with like 5 seconds on the clock... what did you want him to do at that point? NOT Shoot it?

Hater.

[Ed Pinkney]

If other members of the team are averaging good numbers of assists (ie Pierce) who cares if he ONLY averages 5 a game. And he should be looking to score more, any team is going to be better if it is generating points out of multiple positions.

Does Tony Parker shoot too much? Because with his speed and ability to get to the rack, that is the player he should be trying to be. He is just not a good enough finisher yet.

Shock horror, we lost two games in a row. Our team stinks. We should have traded Rondo at the deadline for Anthony Johnson and Tyron Lue.

[tlee324]

Trying to save face.... he's hated on Rondo from the beginning, and has been scarce because he's been playing well. You'll be disappearing soon again, I'm sure. He's fine.

[mr_sunshine]

Rondo is great. I'm sorry he can't get an assist whenever KG, PP, or Ray isos and scores a hoop. That's a huge part of the offense we run, and a large part of the reason why Rondo's assist numbers are "low".

[jfs1000d]

In his past 10 games he is averaging only 5 assists per game with 4.8 being his total on the year. 7.4 is his average per 48 minutes. He has only 3 double digit assist games on the year. Pierce actually leads the team in assists.

My point is even though he has shot a better than anticipated percentage this year, we are going to need more assists out of him. He has been looking to score a lot more than he has pass. We need the pass first Point Guard, we dont need a scoring PG, that's not what fits with our personnel.

.

Awful analysis, but right on the point for another PG.

Yes, we do need a point guard caddy for Rondo but his lack of assists aren't troubling. The Boston Celtics' offense runs through Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett. Our offense is set up for our extraordinary SG, SF and PF to score and create. The Celtics are not asking Rondo to setup his teammates and create offense. The Celtics are first and most importantly asking Rondo to finish shots as the 4th option, play defense and run the break and jump start the team in transition. He isn't asked to handle the ball in the halfcourt. It doesn't run through him .

We are in need of shot makers at the PG spot (that's why Eddie House works at the point despite being devoid of most PG skills), and Rondo has done a decent enough job doing that slashing to the basket etc. Because teams don't respect his scoring and shooting abilities they are making Rondo beat them. For the most part, he has. He can improve, but I am not sure the assist total is what I am worried about.

[canman1971]

How can anyone say that Rondo is not our point guard. Ridiculous.

[UGA Hayes]

Assists are such a useless stat. They might as well get rid of it the way people misinterpret it.

[CanSee17]

The "fantasy basketball" mentality that some people have is sickening. That has to be happening here. There is no way that someone can watch all the games this year and say our 2nd year, 22 year old PG is a disappointment because he only average 5 assists a game and has only 3 double digit assist games all year....WHO CARES?

The offense doesn't run through Rondo, as it does many PG's in the league. Rondo brings it up, passes to the wing, and moves to the toher side of the court. If you have a problem with the ball not being in his hands enough then I'm right on board.

Is he hurting your fantasy team? Be honest...because I find it hard to believe that anyone could really watch Rondo play this year and say he has been a disappointment.

[TheCelticTruth]

when we talk about things on RealGM its one thing, but with all the stars who gave Rondo props when interviewed by the Globe and Herald at the ASG, what like those guys dont know basketball?

[sully00]

Only one stat counts in the end. We need another pg because without Rondo the bus kind of grinds to a hault on both ends. That is my biggest concern right now. That we struggle on the defensive end as much as the offensive end without him that is going to be tough fix off the scrap heap.

[Datruth345]

with three players like ray allen kevin garnett and paul pierce

the ball is not in his hands as much as you think

[DorfonCeltics]

And he DID NOT try to be a "hero" - PP pased him the ball with like 5 seconds on the clock... what did you want him to do at that point? NOT Shoot it?

Hater.

+1

When the ball rotates to you in the corner and you have less than 5 seconds on the shot clock, you shoot it. That was a heads up play knowing where the shot clock was. Had there been more time he would have looked to drive and dish. Rondo is a smart player and the OP isn't giving him enough credit. Don't call me a homer, this kid is really good.

[TheRussBill]

I agree that Rondo has been playing good ball and has impressed me this season but the threadstarter has a valid point. Against the Nuggets the other night the Celtics were down by 1 with the ball in the 4th quarter. Rondo brings the ball up and instead of setting up a play or anything he decides to drive and throw up a prayer of a lay up against A.I. with Marcus Camby helping. There were 19 seconds left on the shot clock. We never had a lead after that play and it kind of killed our momentum. Rondo is improving and has been solid this season but needs to calm down a bit down the stretches of games and look for mismatches, holes in the defense etc. He is a point guard and needs to learn to manage the game a bit better but I think he is on his way to getting there. He does need to boost his assist numbers I don't know how anyone could say his assist numbers are only low because of playing with the big 3. That should boost his numbers because the D won't cover him he can drive draw the D and find the open man. Nash didn't have lower assist numbers playing with Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Quentin Richardson did he?

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Nash didn't have lower assist numbers playing with Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Quentin Richardson did he?

Yea and Steve Nash had the ball in his hands 90 percent of the time. And he ran pick and rolls non-stop. He's the player they run the offense through pretty much every time down. On the Mavs, they still ran the offense through Nowitzki and Finley some of the time.

That comparison is really terrible. Two totally different situations.

[TheRussBill]

I was just addressing the fact that people were saying his assists numbers are down because Paul and Ray handle a lot and create their own shots. If Rajon could make the proper decisions and find the open man he would handle the ball more often. His decision making and passing need improvement. Am I unhappy with Rondo? Certainly not hes a tough crafty kid with unbelievable athleticism. I just hope his decision making improves as well as getting Paul and Ray as well as KG easier looks. Too many times he'll come down and there will be a player down the court and we will miss out on a 2-1 opportunity. I understood Nash has the ball in his hands 90% of the time when the assists numbers were tripled compared to Rondos. My greater argument is down the stretch he needs improvement on going to the rim and finding open cutters and shooters. Our offensive has seemed to become stagnant in the last 5-6 minutes of the 4th relying on 3 pointers and foul calls. We need Rajon to manage the game properly and work the clock when its in our favor and find our guys easy looks.

[Zin5]

I know it's been said enough times in this thread, but the assist stat is so pointless for a situation like Rondo's in. Ray, Paul, and KG are all very above average passers for their positions, which is part of why we've been still successful even without a true backup PG. If you actually watch a game instead of just the box score, you'd be able to tell how much of an impact Rondo does actually make when setting up plays. He makes it so the next pass after his leads to an easy bucket or open shot.

[GuyClinch]

Rondo's been very great for us. I don't think hei s ever going to be a Chris Paul/Steve Nash kind of assist guy.

I see him more in the Tony Paker mold as a complete player. A guy who can D' you up, score at will and make excellent passes and be able to push the ball.

Also the other posters points that our team averages alot of assist from several postions is valid. Remember C's are among the league leaders in assists. The fact that they can come from Ray Allen, PP, KG and Rondo makes us far more dangerous. We run a very flexible offense - albeit one that's been slightly out of sync with KG's rusty return. But I still like it going forward.

What impresses me most about Rondo though is the way he has been able to seemlessly fit in - in our offense. He manges to be fairly productive on the court without every really trying to be "the man" out there.

Both Banks and West and hella trouble trying to do that - where they were either too unproductive or got caught just pounding the ball into the court at the top of the key...

And to think he came out of a college program where he just couldn't handle the O in the half court. It's a fantastic turnaround and both Doc and Rondo deserve alot of credit for that.

The only gripe I have abount Rondo is his jumper is still suspect. So sometimes he passes up jumpers for ridiculously hard floaters or holds the ball while WIDE open screwing up our O.

Other then that he gets amazingly high marks across the board. I think his man defense has picked up lately as well which used to be a bit of a sore point as he was playing so far below his potential there.

Pete