The Rajon Rondo Show is like Antoine Walker in some ways

[stretch]

This is not a criticism or complement, but a different way of looking at things. In more ways than one, Rondo is kind of like Toine. Fellow Celtics fans might relate this.

1. We all know how Walker had all the skills and raw talent in the world, and could have gone down as one of the most versatile forwards ever. He was a matchup nightmare.. in the late 90s and early 2000s, Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber were frequently quoted in the Globe (when we were playing their teams) how Walker is one of the toughest players for them to face. However, as everyone from Rick Pitino to Pat Riley lamented, Walker didn't develop his frame more to become truly unstoppable. he should have developed his body into either:
A) a lean Scottie Pippen type
or B) a rugged Karl Malone type

He was sort of an in-between forward. This common complaint regarding Toine is so similar to how everyone has pointed out (or lamented) that if Rondo developed a jumpshot (like if Toine developed his body in some way), he would be unguardable.

- If Rondo develops a 3pt shot.... he would be unguardable
- if Toine had developed his body, he would have been an offensive nightmare (though between 2000-2003, he almost was).. he would have been almost unguardable

And in both cases, those kinds of points (especially from the national media) took away from how good each player already was/is.

2. Walker had a horrible looking shot. It was sort of a line drive from three. Rondo likewise. They both seemed to rush their shots under the basket, however successful they were/are at getting it in the whole.


3. Antoine Walker's practice habits weren't the best. And we've often heard likewise on this board about Rondo's. Wasn't it KG who challenged Rondo to start shooting 200 jumpshots every practice only 8 months ago?


4. Both Toine and Rondo have true heart.. a similar, genuine love for the game. Celtics fans have seen this unquestionable heart. We recognize it...

Although Walker had the image of being more vocal and intense and trash talking (like KG today), Rondo is actually running his mouth (giving commands, firing up himself or the opposition or the teammates) all game in a similar manner. And they're both fearless.

[GuyClinch]

Yeah...

Not really. Walker was a volume shooter. Rondo is a pass first PG. Yeah sure maybe both will not maximize their talent but you could say that about 90% ofthe leagues players.

As for "love the game" I don't really see that with Rondo. He is pretty sullen out there whereas Walker was a leader and quite happy..

[BillessuR6]

I have to agree with Pete...

Biggest problem with Rondo is his "love for the game", mindset, motivation...He is a very "difficult" guy and that affects his performances greatly...

If it was only his jump shot I wouldn`t be concerned, that can be fixed with a lot of hard work...his mindset not so much...

[RondoWallace]

I'm usually really good at connecting the dots, and far fetched ideas, but even you got me stumped.

They are completely different players. As aforementioned Walker was a volume shooter, while Rondo is a pass first point guard.

** Walker fit in great as a leader, and was loved by his team mates. Rondo is an outcast of sorts. Rondo has previously picked a fight with Doc Rivers, and had words with KG being separated by team mates.

[TheOGJabroni]

I mean I GUESS I can see what you're getting at. But now that these two players have come up and trying to find similarities, I am actually amazed how compeletely different these players are.

Both Rondo and Toine are/were extremely versitaile, but in completely different ways. Both have unique court vision - Rondo uses this skill to a fault (overuses when he should look for his own shot at times, rather than passing up on open lay-ups as an example). Toine, on the other hand, would rather just look for his own shot for the most part even if there were better options at the time (I'm not going to look it up but there is a youtube video of him flicking up a shot while not facing the basket and having three defenders on him. By my count, if there are three people guarding one, someone should be open I believe.)

Weight wise, no explanation needed, Rondo is as slim as they come in the NBA, while Walker was, yeah... not so much.

Rondo only takes 3's if he was left open for about half the shot clock of if the shot clock was expiring. Toine was quoted to say the reason he takes so many 3's is because there aren't any "4's".

Rondo, regarded as one of the best defenders at his position. Toine, later in his career, might as well have been preparing to take his next shot on offense.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Apples are like oranges in some ways

[John Locke]

The point of this post is like your name...a stretch

[Hemingway]

It seems like you are trying to make the point that Rondo will never live up to the hype without exactly coming out and saying it. Sure. He probably could not live up to the extreme hype that he sometimes get. But I doubt we will need him to be a irst option for a half a decade like we did with Walker.

Also, didn't Rondo except the challenge for KG? He is still young and under a ton of pressure. That said, he has done remarkable. Who thought 2 years ago when we got RA and KG that Rondo would step up the way he has?

[tranjSAIC]

Kind of off topic but earlier this summer there were wire reports of trading Rondo. Was that all BS or was there actual facts to it? I'm not a Celtics fan's so I really didn't know Rondo had these faults, he looks like he is trying hard out there to me. He doesn't look like he has an attitude problem at all either.

[threrf23]

Walker fit in great as a leader,

The best leaders lead by example. Antoine was not remotely close to not being a a good fit as a leader. He may have natural leadership ability and charisma, but so did Adolf Hitler way back when.

[GuyClinch]

^^^ Come on now. First off HItler ruins threads. That internet 101. Secondly Walker WAS a good leader. Just remember that game when he rallied the C's back vs. the Nets. That was pretty amazing. Walker is a natural leader whereas a guy like Pierce had to learn how to lead better.

Walker knows how to be uplifting whereas some guys like Jordan and Pierce can get pretty negative when guys start to screw up..

[crm0922]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law

[Slartibartfast]

I really don't see the comparison. The only thing they really have in common besides the C's jersey is an unorthodox game. Their games are unorthodox in entirely different ways.

I don't really know of any comparisons for Rondo. Any other tremendously stubborn, supremely athletic, flawed and cerebral players out there?

There have been quite a few like Toine. Carmelo Anthony strikes me as the closest comparison right now. Both 3/4s with great quickness and handles for their position (Melo the more gifted scorer and Toine the more gifted playmaker), both gunners (though Melo gets better results than Walker ever did), both in love with the jumper, both with tremendous potential as offensive rebounders, both acting like spoiled children, both infuriating and entertaining to watch.

[RUDYxBLAZERS]

Rondo better develop his shimmy as well as his jump shot if he wants to be like 'toine.

[Cyclical]

Rondo played at Kentucky and so did Walker.

Hello, anyone?

Rondo wears the number 9; Walker the number 8 - only 1 number apart.

Starting to get eerie.

Rondo was a competitive roller skater; Walker a competitive eater.

Oh no.

Rajon Rondo has 2 syllables in both his first and last name; so does Antoine Walker.

I just peed a little.

Rondo has the biggest hands on the team; Walker had the biggest head.

Call the cops.

Rondo's past year's rebounding numbers were comparable to a PF; Walker's were comparable to a PG.

Oh snap.

Oh, the fun. Oh, the laughs.

[elrod enchilada]

Excellent post, Cyclical.

Also: Neither Rondo or Walker can produce a birth certificate.

[wigglestrue]

Rajon Rondo is like a combination of Sidney and Billy, in some ways.