Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo Is Flawed: Yet He Is Still One Of The Best In NBA
[picappgallerysingle id="9127488"] The definition of a point guards’ role is to run the team’s offense. He is to call the plays and make sure his teammates are involved in the attack. This involves setting the play up and keeping everyone in the know. He is the coaches’ floor general. A point guard main job is to do what it takes to run the offense well enough to win. He also has his defensive responsibilities. When one looks at that description, Rajon Rondo is clearly one of the best in the NBA.
I have heard a lot of negative comments on Rondo after his recent departure from Team USA. The fuel people are using on their I hate Rondo fire is absurd. Rondo’s skills far outweigh his deficiencies. The man is a winner, plain and simple.
Since Rondo has come into this league, he has run the offense. Early on he had guys like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen to take the burden off him. However, these men have gotten older. They are still very talented, but more and more the offense is predicated on Rondo. Rondo is the one distributing to these veterans and setting the offense up so his teammates have the best opportunity to score. His passing is incredible. At least once a game the man makes a pass that turns heads. He finished fourth in the league and topped the East last year in assists with a 9.8 average. The offense flowed with Rondo at the helm as the Celtics despite having a ton of injuries averaged 99 points a game.
The man is in my mind the best defensive point guard in the NBA. He led the NBA in steals with a 2.33 average. However, his best work is done one on one. The evidence of this is the NBA playoffs. He made guys like Mo Williams, Mario Chalmers, and Jameer Nelson vanish. His long reach is a distinct advantage. He also has blinding fast speed to keep up with people. The bottom line is the skills and talent is there on the defensive end.
The one knock every Rondo hater has is he cannot shoot. He misses free throws, mid range jumpers, and various other shots. His shot has gotten better and word is that he is working even harder after his USA debacle. Here is what people fail to understand. The man does not need a jump shot to be a great point guard right now. The man averages almost 14 points a game and more in the playoffs without it. He still takes over games despite the fact every player in the building knows that he cannot shoot. Do people think LA was the only team to lay off Rondo the entire playoffs? Cleveland, Miami, and Orlando tried that same tactic. LA just played better team defense. Despite LA’s defense, Rondo still averaged almost 14 points a game with 7.6 assists per game. The games Boston won, Rondo was not contained. So let me get this straight. A man without a jump shot that is facing a good defensive team, still has these solid stats and had a bad series? He is not a great player because of this?
He did have a bad series because he is capable of more even without a reliable jumper. The man averaged close to 16 points and 10 assists a game for the playoffs. This means his Finals stats were subpar. This should also tell you the greatness of Rondo. The fact that he plays so well on the offensive end and he has those great defensive skills makes people forget what a great rebounder is to top it off. He was topps in the East and trailed only Jason Kidd and Russell Westbrook in that category.
My main argument for his greatness is his teams win. All three years since his rookie year the team has made the playoffs. They have won a Finals series and been to another one. He was five points away from a second ring. The team has two 60 plus win seasons since then as well. He is a very large part of all this success. Whatever the team needs Rondo provides it. The big steal or lockdown defense, he’s got it. The rebounding is off; he sticks his nose in the paint. A player needs to get going, Rondo finds him. The team needs points, Rondo drives the lane. The bottom line is despite the knocks, the man wins. That is why Rajon Rondo may indeed be flawed, but he is also one of the best.
Boston Celtics Paul Pierce Looking For Wing Help: Marquis Daniels And Von Wafer Are Ready
[picappgallerysingle id="8506142"]Paul Pierce is a great player. His number will someday grace the rafters of the Garden. However, sometimes his mouth is just a bit much. Pierce has been making comments that the Celtics need wing help. He has made jokes wondering who is going to guard him in practice. Danny Ainge has already provided help there. Way to go Captain! Way to insult two of your teammates!
This season Marquis Daniels will be playing small forward and shooting guard for this team. This is a position in which he excelled at for the Indiana Pacers. In 09 Daniels averaged 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. These are solid numbers for a guy off your bench. He also played great defense.
Last season was a lost year for Marquis. Daniels was thrust into the backup point guard role. He did well, but he was out of position. He also hurt his thumb severely. He played like a warrior with the injury. The injury would take away the use of one of his hands and he was not as effective. When he finally went down for a while due to surgery, Tony Allen stepped in and did a tremendous job. By the time Daniels came back, Doc could not relinquish the roles from Allen to Marquis.
However, this is a new year. The Celtics have a backup point guard. Daniels will be asked to fill a role he has already filled before and thrived at it. The team will count on Daniels to spell Pierce and Ray Allen. Ainge feels that he will deliver.
The other option is Von Wafer. Wafer left the NBA after the 09 season because he was offered more money overseas. Before he left, he was on a tear for a Houston Rockets team that almost upset the Lakers. After Tracy McGrady was hurt, Wafer came into the game and excelled. Wafer would provide scoring punch as an athletic driver to the hoop. He also displayed nice touch on the jumper. The result was a career year as he averaged 9.7 points a game. He also gave the Rockets something T-Mac did not: solid defensive play.
Wafer does have some issues. He was miserable overseas and his effort showed that. He also let his body go and missed an opportunity to return to Houston last year because of that. He also has butted heads with coaches in the past. There is a reason the team got him for under a million dollars.
Wafer may be a gamble, but he is a wise one. Wafer needs to play well. He needs to display the talent that made him a solid player in 09. If he does not, then his dream of playing in the NBA will be over. He has worked hard this offseason to get in shape. He has also been mature and said all the right comments when asked about his role on the team. Wafer has the talents to really help Boston in the Drive to 18.
If these men falter or get injured, there is also rookie Luke Harangody. Harangody was very impressive in the Summer League. Harangody can shoot from mid range and showed some great post moves. He may be a rookie, but he is a mature four year college player. Trusting big time minutes to a rookie is not Doc Rivers style, but if the man can deliver, he will play.
The bottom line is Pierce is calling for help. Maybe he should look at his roster before he calls for help. The team might have more answers for the small forward spot than he knows. Once again Ainge has done a great job providing depth at a position with limited funds. If these men pan out like Ainge believes they will, than the drive to Banner 18 will go smoother than the Captain thinks.
Boston Celtics Danny Ainge Checking Out Delonte West?
[picappgallerysingle id="8577029"]Red’s Army (great site as many of you know) is reporting that Delonte West is town for a work out. This is interesting news because that would mean he is another man on Ainge’s radar. Odds are that if Ainge has targeted West, Hughes, and Fernandez; then he should end up with one of them by training camp.
The former Celtic has been a great defender at the two guard spot. He also has not disappeared in big games routinely playing solid for the Cavs in the playoffs. He knocks down shots, can drive, and spread the floor. He also has some point guard experience and that would help Rondo. However, he is still a great defender and that is to me his best asset.
This is still puzzling to me that Ainge would target West. West is clearly mentally off. His episode with weapons that has landed him a ten game suspension clearly shows this. The rumors of Delonte hooking up with LeBron’s mom are not exactly the kind of rumors associated with a character type of guy. Delonte is also too small to play the small forward position. This either shows a ton of faith in Marquis Daniels and Von Wafer or shows Ainge is not optimistic about landing Fernandez or Hughes. This could be just more posturing for Ainge in trade talks or doing his due diligence to get the best available player. This would be one of Danny’s riskier moves and would definitely define a few roles on the roster and create depth at the guard spot. A rotation that includes Delonte, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Nate Robinson, and Avery Bradley for four spots would definitely keep the guys fresh. However, do Von Wafer, Marquis Daniels, Luke Harangody really provide back up for Paul Pierce? No matter the reason, Delonte possibly coming back to Boston is news.
Boston Celtics Danny Ainge Has One More Spot: Rudy Fernandez Or Larry Hughes?
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“We’re just continuing to explore available players and trade possibilities and see what sort of options are there,’’ said the Celtics president. “There are some trade discussions that we’re having. I don’t know the likelihood of those happening, but we’ll continue to not rush into something unless it’s something that we’re really excited about.’’
Danny Ainge on possible roster moves.
Danny Ainge’s comments confirm a couple of undeniable facts. The Rudy Fernandez trade talks seem to be on again. Reports are everywhere that Boson and Portland are in discussions again. Fernandez wants no part of Portland. This means he will be dealt. The statement also says the Celtics are looking at free agents in the wing positions. Larry Hughes is the only real player with any talent to remotely help this team. This also tells me if he’s commenting on the last roster spot that he has a plan and that spot will be filled by training camp. It is most likely to be Hughes or Fernandez. Which player is the better fit for the Boston Celtics?
Danny’s plan seems simple. Fernandez is his top choice. He will wait out Portland until they decide they need to trade him. The fact that Rudy has a tirade every week makes this closer and closer to happening. If he loses out Hughes is the backup plan. Comments like this show Ainge is playing the game. He is letting Portland know I will deal on my terms or not at all.
Fernandez is a solid shooter in the NBA. The man can stretch the defenses of the second unit. When you shoot 38 percent from three point land, you command attention. He would be a great guy to have because he has enough size to come in and play small forward and enough shooting strength to be a tall two guard. He is only 25 and just begun to scratch the surface of his shooting potential. His youth also would bring some more energy off the bench. He has averaged 10 points a game off the bench his rookie year and 8 last year.
The dip in scoring is part of the reason that he wants out of Portland. He feels that he is not being used right and deserves a larger role. This worries me a bit. The Celtics role for Rudy would be pretty much the same as he had in Portland. He would be asked to come off the bench in a supporting role. His defense is also troubling because a little of his issues with Portland Coach Nate McMillen are the fact his effort defensively is nonexistent at times. However, if he was a perfect player, he would be starting and making more than the 1,246,680 that he is due this year. That would put him out of Boston’s reach.
Another problem is that Boston must trade for him. The team already offered a first round pick and got no dice. Portland has other suitors, but none are enamored with Rudy to sweeten the deal to leap ahead of Boston. The Celtics also are not enamored enough to sweeten the deal to get it done. How long can Ainge hold out and wait to fill this spot? Wait too long and other potential players are gone. Wait too long and an injury happens and Danny loses leverage in trying to swing a deal.
The other possibility is one Larry Hughes. Hughes is an intriguing possibility. Hughes is only 31 with 12 years in the league. During those 12 years, he has been a double digit scorer. He struggled shooting from beyond the three point line in New York last year, but rebounded in his 14 games in Charlotte after a trade. The spacing a talented team like Boston could provide him would help any shooting woes he had last year. Hughes is also a solid defender. He knows how to play defense and generally tries on the defensive end. Hughes does come with some knocks. He has played selfish at times and can be a disruptive force in a locker room if unhappy. However, a shot at an elusive ring and knowing it is his best shot would surely put Mr. Hughes in good behavior mode.
The better fit game wise is Hughes. He is a veteran that would be coming here looking for a ring and knowing his role. He also plays better defense than Rudy. However, this team could use some youth. The team would benefit from an energy guy off the bench that could shoot. In Boston guys like KG and Doc Rivers would hold him accountable defensively. At only 25, who knows how good Fernandez could be? Rudy has more upside and youth and can shoot a little better. This makes Fernandez the choice. However, either would fill this role better than Michael Finley last year. Ainge has a plan and it will be executed soon. This means Pierce’s one player is on the way.
Boston Celtics Coach Doc Rivers Needs To Keep Quiet On Finals Loss
[picappgallerysingle id="9141708"]Now I understand the emotion that must be flowing through Doc Rivers. Rivers has always been a great competitor. When he played, he played hard and played to win. Now as a head coach the once great point guard instills his passion for winning into his teams. The loss in game seven of the Finals must have come close to eating Rivers alive. I just watched the game and I still am not over it. When I wondered what it was like to be a Laker fan in 08 during games four and six of the Finals, I was not serious. For the record at least game six was a blowout with zero chance of a win. However, extreme emotions can betray a man. Doc’s senseless comments on the radio have no place in Celtic lore.
The comments are ridiculous. You play with the players that you have. That is why depth and a bench are very important. Maybe instead of Sheldon Williams, the team should have gotten a more proves veteran like this year. LA was without Bynum healthy in 08 and 10. They beat Orlando with a healthy Bynum. This means LA can say the same exact comment. The Lakers were the better team on that day and that is what counts. God, I hate agreeing with a thug like Artest.
What does Rivers gain from comments like no one not even LA has beaten our starting five? Is he trying to instill confidence or added swagger in his team? Does he feel that they need it? I hope Doc can look into his players’ eyes and see the look of a team that is confident that they can win a title. Instead of comments like that, Rivers should talk of the teams improvements. As a player, I would feel great knowing that one of my biggest weaknesses (size) was filled nicely. The team added Shaq and Jermaine O’Neal to the fold. This easily improves the rebounding of this team. The team also added a talented player in Von Wafer (if he recaptures Rockets success, a steal) and two great draft picks in Avery Bradley and Luke Harangody. The team is much better than the team that was five points away from an NBA title. The Celtics are the defending Eastern Conference champs and boast Paul Pierce ( one of the greatest scorers ever), Kevin Garnett (still a beast defensively), Ray Allen( one of the greatest shooters ever), and Rajon Rondo ( rising superstar that Magic Johnson called best all around point guard in the game). Rondo and newly minted bench sparkplug Glen Davis should have better years with another year of experience under their belts. This should add the swagger. These facts not silly comments bring confidence.
Does giving a team like LA bulletin board material seem like a great idea? First of all engaging with Ron Artest in anything is not the best idea. Why give a team like LA motivation should you see them in the Finals? I certainly do not want to give a guy like Kobe Bryant more fuel to want to beat me. I think the title hunger enough is what fuels him to beat most teams adding personal challenges cannot help matters. Bottom line is that you are the head coach of an historic franchise that is coming off a successful season. You also have a better team going into next year. Let your teams’ play do the talking.
