So basically, the C's need to go out in free agency and see if they can find a point guard who can effectively run the team and play hard in the regular season. Rondo can sit on the bench for the regular season until the playoffs come around, then he becomes the starter because the playoffs are the only time he shows up to play anyway. Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture? Every other "star" player in the NBA plays hard regular season AND playoffs, but somehow we have Rondo who absolutely coasts in the regular season. This is unacceptable behavior from a "star" player. Give me Sullinger. At least he plays hard every night.
Sure, as long as the point guard who "coasts" is still able to be top 5 in assists (leading the league 2 years running), top 5 in rebounds/game for point guards (again leading the league 2 straight years) and be 1st or 2nd team all-defense 4 years running. Point guards that can do that while coasting aren't as plentiful as you seem to think. Who do you think fits the bill?
if that point guard plays and his team goes 20-23, i don't necessarily need him (or want him)
don't worry , this answer won't be accepted by many and the rebuttal will be , how can you diss a guy who once scored 40 plus in a playoff game. Its like Al Bundy reminiscing that he once scored 4 touchdowns in one game
This just doesn't make sense to me. If your argument is that you don't want/like Rondo because he coasts throughout the regular season and yet he is still easily a top 10 PG if not top 5, then wouldn't you want him even more? If he can screw his head on straight and play hard throughout the season would he then be the #1 PG since he isn't putting in full effort now?
Or is your argument is that because this team struggled and went 20-23 at the start of the season and the blame should be put on his shoulders alone despite other players being injured/not hitting their stride yet? Because in that case we should be clearing out a lot of other lockers first since Rondo was averaging a double double during that period. He was most certainly not the sole reason for the struggles and in fact probably prevented our record from being even worse than that.
I think the only valid argument that I've heard expressed as to why to get rid of Rondo (and maybe this is what you were trying to say and I misunderstood) is that Rondo doesn't fit with this current Celtics roster. And since he is our only truly valuable trade asset he should be moved to bring in pieces that would better fit this team's style and help us build for the future. And even that I disagree with, but its a matter of opinion over how this team best operates and what is best for the future, but definitely not a matter of discussing whether Rondo is a star or not (that point is proven by the eye test and the stats that back it up).
I don't think most people here who are favoring Rondo are doing so based purely on his past performance Al Bundy style, but are more focused on his talent that was still on display even during the 20-23 rough start and over the last few seasons.
Rondo has tremendous ability and if you think he is somehow not putting in enough effort that just means he could be even better. BballTim has posted the stats to back up the point in leading the league in assists and rebounds for PGs plus being towards the top for his position defensively.
Yes people harp on about his playoff performances, but thats where you earn your money and your reputation and Rondo has put together some spectacular performances. His ability to turn it up a notch in crunch time and in big games shouldn't be held against him, its an ASSET. Maybe its a signal he could put more effort in during the regular season but its is DEFINITELY a signal that come playoff team he can carry a team, a trait only a handful of guys have in the association.
Rondo is an NBA star, whether you want him on the Celtics or not is another question, but you can't deny his talent.
you just summed up some important points without focusing on them. Some of us are focusing on the aspect that its Rondo, a triple double machine and his past playoff performances speak volumes. It is out of question to state it was mainly his fault were stunk earlier this year. There HAS to be other factors
Than you have people like myself that have seen a Rondo transition from a blue collar, non "all star" , that actually helps/enhances "team play" to the earlier this season Rondo, who walks up the ball, doesn't pass the ball to everyone even if they are free, takes risks to steal balls more frequently, stuffs stats YET we are only a 500 team.
Yes if rondo works harder which means 2008-2010 rondo plus utilizes some new skills (jump shot improvement), he would be a top three pg (maybe one can argue #1). It doesn't matter if he can turn it up in the playoffs for someone like myself BC you have to get into the playoffs in the first place. 23-20 = half the season gone. Team is out of whack, where is the indication all of a sudden things will change?? Even though we have had excellent 2nd halfs before to propel us up in the standinds, at least in the beginning of the year, eveyrone was still working hard (and as a cohesive unit), even Rondo.
Again, people earlier this year were enormed by Rondo bc of his assist totals, we got a new leader to take over pp, kg, last years playoff performances still fresh on their minds, yet we are playing 500 ball. Its like a guy scoring 30 a night , but their team out of sync , not performing as a group and playing mediocre ball. If we had scrubs, than yeah, the 30 pt a night guy can't be really the blame. But our team this year was loaded with talent, Rondo got his stats yet we still lost. When he was out due to injuries, we won. So either Rondo or the new Rondo and this new group is not compatible or Rondo's ways is the problem. Its not realistic to say its everyone else fault.
Topic: Would you rather have Rondo or Sullinger back right now? (Read 22586 times)