Really, who the bleep is Tony Parker?!

[campybatman]

Another thing, Rondo would be the first person to admit that he's in an advantageous position to be starting with Pierce, Garnett and (Ray) Allen. But, it's up to him to develop his game further and not get by on having them always there. They won't always be there and certainly won't by the time he has reached his prime.

Besides Nash, Deron Williams likes Rondo as a player too.

Deron Williams on the East's Best Point Guards, Boozer's Comments and More

Matt Watson: I know you practiced against [Rodney Stuckey] in Vegas, right? I was wondering what you think of his emergence and how he's taken the reins from Chauncey [Billups]?
Deron Williams: I've definitely liked him as a player since he got into the league. I didn't know much about him before he got into the league because he went to a smaller school, but he's out here making a name for himself. He's one of the up and coming point guards in this league. I was definitely impressed with him this summer, playing against him everyday.

MW: He kind of reminds me, and I think he reminds a lot of people, a little bit of you -- he's a little bit bigger and stronger [than most point guards]. Do you see that comparison at all?
DW: He's more of a scorer than I was coming out. I'm more of a pass-first guy, but I've adapted my scoring a little bit. He's definitely big and strong, gets to the hole, finishes with contact and definitely added the three-point shot to his game.

MW: You get the comparison with Chris Paul all the time, but looking at the East -- how would you rank the Eastern point guards? Who sticks out at you at the top?
DW: It depends if you put Iverson as a point guard or not ...

MW: Do you?
DW: Yes. He's a combo guard. I think Stuckey's a combo guard.

MW: Everyone's a combo guard these days.
DW: I got Devin Harris up there, I got Rajon Rondo.

MW: Who's your pick for the All-Star game?
DW: Those two. Those two, and Iverson's probably going to be voted in by the fans, but I'll pick those two next.

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2008/12/21/dero ... s-comment/



Granted these comments came earlier this season, but at least he's acknowledging Rondo as one of the better starting point guards in the east.

For me, it isn't so much about Rondo ever becoming an All-Star. Because D. Williams is still yet to be named himself. Again, no thanks to Iverson. I'm a fan but he isn't a point guard. It's more about Rondo evoling as a player and becoming a better shooter. Becoming a better shooter, thus a better offensive threat, is what will make him an invitee of this era's The Brat Pack among point guards. Right now, there's only Paul and D. Williams but I can see Rose, Harris, Rondo, Stuckey and possibly Ellis as soon-to-be members.

[cfan79]

Hopefully we will meet the Spurs in the finals and shut this french frog up.

[stretch]

Sorry, Rondo is an incredible player, and reminds one of Tony Parker.

But TP is just an incredible offensive player. I'd venture to say that he and Ginobili are both among the top 20 offensive players in the league. It's a tough call, but how can you forget how good Parker is offensively.

Rondo's almost there. and Parker's comment is off. But who knows?

Back in 03 and 04, they polled all NBA players, and the sentiment was that the most overrated player was Paul Pierce! But the coaches - they knew how good he is. and they know how key Rondo is.. Popovich surely does.

[campybatman]

Well, I already acknowledged Parker for being a talented player and he's a two-time All-Star. I didn't think I personally was comparing he and Rondo but I do raise an eyebrow to his comments as they pertain to Rondo. It's rather convenient to label a player overrated that you know that you won't face but twice a season.

The problem that Rondo fans will have in defending him is that his detractors will always come back to his insufficient shooting (high field goal percentage but due to converting more layups) and how this alone might be holding him back from being ranked with the top tier point guards today. Rondo is making a name for himself on talent and good coaching alone but his basketball fundamentals, shooting skills, need more catching up.

One thing that puzzles me is why Parker voices these opinions about the league's starting point guards to a French newspaper as oppose to an American publication where his quotes could be more accessible to national fans and players to read.