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Rondo started shooting every day after practice

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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#21 » by SuigintouEV » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:29 pm

Gant wrote:The thing that's mostly limiting Rondo's shots is he's a pass first point playing with three hall of famers.

Rondo's about 12th in the league in TS% among starting points (about the same as Tony Parker).


You do realize you're comparing the TS% of a guy avging 20.4ppg to a guy averaging 10.9 ppg, right?
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#22 » by Gant » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:32 pm

SuigintouEV wrote:
Gant wrote:The thing that's mostly limiting Rondo's shots is he's a pass first point playing with three hall of famers.

Rondo's about 12th in the league in TS% among starting points (about the same as Tony Parker).


You do realize you're comparing the TS% of a guy avging 20.4ppg to a guy averaging 10.9 ppg, right?


Yes I do. Parker's a better scorer.

Now compare Parker and Rondo in assists, rebounds, steals, and overall defense.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#23 » by GreenDreamer » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:42 pm

SuigintouEV wrote:
Gant wrote:The thing that's mostly limiting Rondo's shots is he's a pass first point playing with three hall of famers.

Rondo's about 12th in the league in TS% among starting points (about the same as Tony Parker).


You do realize you're comparing the TS% of a guy avging 20.4ppg to a guy averaging 10.9 ppg, right?


Rondo actually shoots better when he has to shoot more, historically. Last season, when Garnett went down, Rondo scored over 16ppg with a FG% around 54%. Believe it or not, when you play 33 minutes a game, but are only taking 8 shots per game, it doesn't make it easier to hit for a high percentage.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#24 » by dingodile » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:03 pm

This is pretty disturbing. It's like hearing Big Baby proudly declare that he's only eating fast food twice a week now.
"I can tell you my testicles are the same size," he added later. "They haven't shrunk. They're the same and work just the same as they always have." - Barry Bonds disputing allegations of steroid use.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#25 » by Dave_From_NB » Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:10 pm

Gant wrote:The thing that's mostly limiting Rondo's shots is he's a pass first point playing with three hall of famers.


Steve Nash is a pass first PG as well, but he doesn't pass up the wide open shot. Stoudamire, Marion, Shaq, he's also had the options to distribute off to, and he led the league in assists for some years while still popping in some points. IMO that's the model for Rondo. Pass first, shoot when it's available.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#26 » by GreenDreamer » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:48 pm

Dave_From_NB wrote:
Gant wrote:The thing that's mostly limiting Rondo's shots is he's a pass first point playing with three hall of famers.


Steve Nash is a pass first PG as well, but he doesn't pass up the wide open shot. Stoudamire, Marion, Shaq, he's also had the options to distribute off to, and he led the league in assists for some years while still popping in some points. IMO that's the model for Rondo. Pass first, shoot when it's available.


The problem with Rajon is that he is usally either in "scorer mode" or "passer mode". Usually the latter. He has to learn th eblend to the two in together. Work the defense looking to set your teammates up. If your shot becomes available before a teammates comes open then take it, especially if it is late in the shot clock.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#27 » by Gant » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:52 pm

Yeah I think that's true. Maybe it's also a push it mode vs. a walk it mode. When he pushes the pace the Celtics are almost unbeatable, when he slows it down they are more vulnerable and he has his worst games.

This is related to the team defense though. If you're not stopping teams and controlling the boards, it's hard to push the pace.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#28 » by tombattor » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:17 pm

Dave_From_NB wrote:Steve Nash is a pass first PG as well, but he doesn't pass up the wide open shot. Stoudamire, Marion, Shaq, he's also had the options to distribute off to, and he led the league in assists for some years while still popping in some points. IMO that's the model for Rondo. Pass first, shoot when it's available.

I think you are right on the money. It's not that Rondo doesn't need to shoot because we have so many scorer, but that Rondo can't make outside shots. Even if you are a pass first PG, when you have an open shot, you have to take it. It helps spacing the defense out and doesn't allow defensive rotation to catch up when the ball is kicked out of double team. He's actually hurting the team by not taking those shots.

I just don't understand why it's so hard for people to accept that Rondo is an atrocious shooter. He is what he is. A good defender and a ball handler who can't shoot. Do we really need to make excuses to say that he's a good shooter when it's clear that he's not?
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#29 » by Gant » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:37 pm

I don't think anyone thinks he's a good shooter. But he is efficient because he drives by so many people for easy baskets.

He has to work on his jumper and free throw shooting. Everyone knows it. Doc knows it. Danny knows it. Rondo knows it.

When he adds that little spot up jumper, that's it, it will just open up the lane for him and there'll be no way to scheme for him.

Until he does that he is hurting the team in certain situations.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#30 » by tombattor » Fri Jan 23, 2009 9:08 pm

Gant wrote:I don't think anyone thinks he's a good shooter. But he is efficient because he drives by so many people for easy baskets.

He has to work on his jumper and free throw shooting. Everyone knows it. Doc knows it. Danny knows it. Rondo knows it.

When he adds that little spot up jumper, that's it, it will just open up the lane for him and there'll be no way to scheme for him.

Until he does that he is hurting the team in certain situations.

Exactly! He's got pretty much everything else you look for in a PG, except shooting. I don't know if he'll ever get there, but if he can ever consistently hit those open jumpers, he'll make the allstar team.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#31 » by GreenDreamer » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:00 pm

tombattor wrote:
Dave_From_NB wrote:Steve Nash is a pass first PG as well, but he doesn't pass up the wide open shot. Stoudamire, Marion, Shaq, he's also had the options to distribute off to, and he led the league in assists for some years while still popping in some points. IMO that's the model for Rondo. Pass first, shoot when it's available.

I think you are right on the money. It's not that Rondo doesn't need to shoot because we have so many scorer, but that Rondo can't make outside shots. Even if you are a pass first PG, when you have an open shot, you have to take it. It helps spacing the defense out and doesn't allow defensive rotation to catch up when the ball is kicked out of double team. He's actually hurting the team by not taking those shots.

I just don't understand why it's so hard for people to accept that Rondo is an atrocious shooter. He is what he is. A good defender and a ball handler who can't shoot. Do we really need to make excuses to say that he's a good shooter when it's clear that he's not?


It is probably because Rondo shot well last season, and shot even better in the play off hitting just under 50% of his two point jumpers. His poor shooting percentage wasn't because he missed his jumpshots, it was because he had severe issues finishing inside (which will happen when the refs allow a player to be repeatedly fouled without a whistle).

Rondo simply wasn't shooting the ball from outside until a little while ago. It is hard to build any rhythm to your jumper when you don't take any. Rondo was going several games in a row without taking any jumpers. Not good. Check out his hotzones for the last 10 games and for the last 5. A lot of red there.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#32 » by Man_Up » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:52 pm

It seems people have forgotten that Rondo had a jumpshot just last season. Just because Espn keeps throwing "Rondo can't shoot" in your face, doesn't mean it's true. There's a difference between missing jumpshots, and not taking them. Rondo just needs to shake the rust off the jumper, in my opinion, it's just a confidence thing.

Hollinger's scouting report for 07-08
In particular, Rondo made opponents pay for leaving him open on the perimeter. Rondo made a very respectable 45.2 percent of his long 2-pointers, after nailing only 27.9 percent a year earlier. He also improved as a finisher, knocking down 54.3 percent of his shots in the immediate basket area, and finished 15th among point guards in PER.
Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#33 » by Kefa461 » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:02 pm

People listen too much to ESPN/TNT claptrap about the C's.....Rondo will be fine he's 22 and working on his game....a work in progress. 8-)
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#34 » by Gant » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:18 pm

Steve Bulpett in today's Herald: "It’s quite possible - likely even - that Rajon Rondo will be named one of the reserves for the Eastern Conference All-Stars. There are other guards with good arguments, as well, but the fact the Celtics appear to be back on track should give Rondo a push in the polls when the coaches vote."

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/bask ... ormat=text


I don't think it is likely, but think it's interesting that Steve Bulpett who is not prone to exaggeration, does.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#35 » by Dave_From_NB » Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:23 pm

Man_Up wrote:It seems people have forgotten that Rondo had a jumpshot just last season. Just because Espn keeps throwing "Rondo can't shoot" in your face, doesn't mean it's true. There's a difference between missing jumpshots, and not taking them. Rondo just needs to shake the rust off the jumper, in my opinion, it's just a confidence thing.


I definitely agree. The problem is that Rondo won't take the jump shot. Not that he doesn't have one. He's no Ray Allen in terms of technique, but he can hit them reasonably well. We see that with his time clock expiring shooting, he makes his fair share of them, even from 3.

Rondo generally plays 4 segments per game - start of first, end of second, start of third, end of 4'th. I wish Doc would give him a simple instruction, you're required to take a minimum of 1 open J per segment, and you need to either run the plays to make it happen or take one that becomes available. Otherwise your minutes are going to be reduced in your next section.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#36 » by billfromBoston » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:54 pm

I love heinsohn wrote:Pro ballplayers thrive off of confidence and don't like to show weaknesses. Only the best players really take the time to attack their weaknesses. Think about all the talented big men that can't keep the weight off, lights out scorers that put out zero effort on D, etc. This is part of the maturation process for Rondo and I like that KG is pushing him to do this. I only hope that they have an agreement where KG has to post three or four times every game for every jumper that Rondo hits ;)


Great insight - most fans don't realize how few players truly work on their weaknesses...most just continue to work on refining their strengths...do you have any experience around pro players? I've never heard anyone on this board mention something subtle like this - good stuff...
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#37 » by billfromBoston » Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:58 pm

tombattor wrote:
I love heinsohn wrote:Pro ballplayers thrive off of confidence and don't like to show weaknesses. Only the best players really take the time to attack their weaknesses. Think about all the talented big men that can't keep the weight off, lights out scorers that put out zero effort on D, etc. This is part of the maturation process for Rondo and I like that KG is pushing him to do this. I only hope that they have an agreement where KG has to post three or four times every game for every jumper that Rondo hits ;)

That's not true. You see a lot of guys who develop skills they didn't have coming out. For example, Tyrus Thomas was strictly an athlete and a dunker in college, but now he's added a mid-range jumper. Things like D has more to do with energy and athleticism, things not easily improved upon, than jumpshooting, which is more of a skill you can improve with practice. But even those players with crappy D get better at it by being more aware of where you need to be, not falling for fakes as easily, etc.


unfortunately, its 100 percent true Tombattor...players do improve to be sure, but most of that comes with survival - role responsibility, desire for PT, coaching instruction, and the natural reps they get via practice....truly working on weaknesses is not something that most players do - only the most honest and hardworking ones really focus on mitigating their weaknesses...

Tyrus Thomas is a funny example for you to pick - this clown has always wanted to shoot jumpers, so its no surprise he's improved. Teams wanted him as a 4 man and Thomas was telling everyone before the draft that he wanted to be a 3 man so he could ball-handle and show off his range...Thomas' desire to do what he feels is best for him over what others believe is best for his development is what will keep him below his actual potential...Thomas is a stupid, stupid player...
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#38 » by billfromBoston » Mon Jan 26, 2009 9:07 pm

Gant wrote:The thing that's mostly limiting Rondo's shots is he's a pass first point playing with three hall of famers.

Rondo's about 12th in the league in TS% among starting points (about the same as Tony Parker).

He's also 4th in assist ratio.
2nd in rebound rate.
3rd in steals (2nd per minute).
2nd in fg%.
1st by far in defensive rating (points allowed per 100 possessions).

So yes he has some things to work on: His free throw shooting is poor. His jumper has been bad but it's getting better. He's young and sometimes inconsistent.

Rondo gives you a package of speed, huge hands, defense, passing and other skills that make him very formidable and he's improving.

He has outplayed many of the leagues top point guards this season: Harris, Calderon, Miller, Nash, Iverson, Deron Williams etc. That's not shabby.

He'll improve the jumper and when he does he'll be right up there among the league's top points
(except for Chris Paul) and will be a multiple all star.


I think we all appreciate what Rondo can already do well - the commentary is about an area of his game that will take him to the next level.

Contrary to what some have said on this board, Rondo did not concentrate on his jumper this past off-season. Between seasons 1 and 2 Rondo made shooting a point of emphasis in his game and we saw the fruits of that labor during last season when he was a very reliable spot shooter.

This past off-season Rondo focused on finishing around the basket, which we've seen the fruits of this season. However, he likely chalked up shooting to "been there done that" and expected a decrease in routine to not have any adverse effect on his game - he was wrong. Rondo has been substantially worse shooting the ball this season than last season and its a direct result of not focusing on it as a skill-development area.

The fact that he is now putting in a routine to improve in this area is a sign of maturity for Rondo and will pay dividends by seasons end. Now that he is going to practice shooting he is likely to reach TRUE All Star status by season's end. If his year 1 to year 2 improvement is any indication of his aptitude for picking up skills, he'll be a very reliable shooter again by season's end which should bode extremely well for this team's title aspirations...

Rondo is 22 years old, he's not the first young player to not "get it" when it comes to all the work it takes to be the absolute best. Fortunately we have 3 Hall of Fame players to show these guys the ropes...whatever error in judgment Rondo made this past off-season, it is unlikely he'll repeat it ever again.
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#39 » by cisco » Tue Jan 27, 2009 1:03 pm

Rondo looked really good taking those jumpshots against the Mavs. 8-)
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Re: Rondo started shooting every day after practice 

Post#40 » by Datruth345 » Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:22 pm

have you guys forgotten last season already?

in the playoffs, and against good teams in general, defenses will sag all the way to the freethrow line off rondo and double in the post, and double paul pierce with rondo's man (kobe for example)

this killed us last year, and in the first laker game this year
it totally disrupts our offensive rhythm, and we have trouble winning these games

Rondo has to take and make that open jumpshot, so that his man has to play honest, this opens everything up for us

it's not about fg%, he is shooting 28% on 2pt jumpshots

imo to win another championship this season, rondo will have to hit some critical jumpshots at some point (like his back to back 3's in last years playoffs)

i love rondo, but in my opinion these are the facts, for us to be successful in the playoffs he needs to improve his jumpshot, not because it gives us 2 points, but because what it does for our offense as a whole
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