ESPN: Celtics really better without Rondo?

[LooseCannon]

From ESPN's Weekend Dime:

Eastern Conference scout on the ceiling for the Rajon Rondo-less Celtics:

"I'll buy your [contention] that they're playing happier without him, but when it comes down to the big games, you need a couple ****s. And Rondo is the leading **** Boston has. He affects the game like nobody else.

"During the regular season, I agree, he plays for stats too much, but when it comes to the playoffs, he's playing to win the game. He's definitely a diva and he definitely has his issues, but who does Miami have to game-plan for if Rondo isn't there? Paul Pierce is a warrior, but he's only going to be able to play 15 top-level minutes out of 30. [Kevin Garnett] is a defensive specialist at this point in time. The totality of the Heat overtakes the totality of the Celtics when Rondo's not there, but I still think he's in Miami's heads and the Celtics are in the Heat's heads when the teams are at full strength.

"Without Rondo, Miami wins that series in five."

How many people are on board with the idea that the Celtics are better in the regular season without Rondo, but worse in the post-season without him?  How many people think it is impossible for something like that to be the case?

[CelticConcourse]

From ESPN's Weekend Dime:

Eastern Conference scout on the ceiling for the Rajon Rondo-less Celtics:

"I'll buy your [contention] that they're playing happier without him, but when it comes down to the big games, you need a couple ****s. And Rondo is the leading **** Boston has. He affects the game like nobody else.

"During the regular season, I agree, he plays for stats too much, but when it comes to the playoffs, he's playing to win the game. He's definitely a diva and he definitely has his issues, but who does Miami have to game-plan for if Rondo isn't there? Paul Pierce is a warrior, but he's only going to be able to play 15 top-level minutes out of 30. [Kevin Garnett] is a defensive specialist at this point in time. The totality of the Heat overtakes the totality of the Celtics when Rondo's not there, but I still think he's in Miami's heads and the Celtics are in the Heat's heads when the teams are at full strength.

"Without Rondo, Miami wins that series in five."

How many people are on board with the idea that the Celtics are better in the regular season without Rondo, but worse in the post-season without him?  How many people think it is impossible for something like that to be the case?

Nobody knows.

[BballTim]

From ESPN's Weekend Dime:

Eastern Conference scout on the ceiling for the Rajon Rondo-less Celtics:

"I'll buy your [contention] that they're playing happier without him, but when it comes down to the big games, you need a couple ****s. And Rondo is the leading **** Boston has. He affects the game like nobody else.

"During the regular season, I agree, he plays for stats too much, but when it comes to the playoffs, he's playing to win the game. He's definitely a diva and he definitely has his issues, but who does Miami have to game-plan for if Rondo isn't there? Paul Pierce is a warrior, but he's only going to be able to play 15 top-level minutes out of 30. [Kevin Garnett] is a defensive specialist at this point in time. The totality of the Heat overtakes the totality of the Celtics when Rondo's not there, but I still think he's in Miami's heads and the Celtics are in the Heat's heads when the teams are at full strength.

"Without Rondo, Miami wins that series in five."

How many people are on board with the idea that the Celtics are better in the regular season without Rondo, but worse in the post-season without him?  How many people think it is impossible for something like that to be the case?

  I don't think they're better in the regular season without him. I think if the other players were playing as well in the winter as they are now they'd be top seed in the east.

[Lightskinsmurf]

From ESPN's Weekend Dime:

Eastern Conference scout on the ceiling for the Rajon Rondo-less Celtics:

"I'll buy your [contention] that they're playing happier without him, but when it comes down to the big games, you need a couple ****s. And Rondo is the leading **** Boston has. He affects the game like nobody else.

"During the regular season, I agree, he plays for stats too much, but when it comes to the playoffs, he's playing to win the game. He's definitely a diva and he definitely has his issues, but who does Miami have to game-plan for if Rondo isn't there? Paul Pierce is a warrior, but he's only going to be able to play 15 top-level minutes out of 30. [Kevin Garnett] is a defensive specialist at this point in time. The totality of the Heat overtakes the totality of the Celtics when Rondo's not there, but I still think he's in Miami's heads and the Celtics are in the Heat's heads when the teams are at full strength.

"Without Rondo, Miami wins that series in five."

How many people are on board with the idea that the Celtics are better in the regular season without Rondo, but worse in the post-season without him?  How many people think it is impossible for something like that to be the case?

That's possible, its also possible they do just as good or better in the postseason without him. I think he'll be missed in the playoffs but I don't know that for sure, its all speculation right now. All i can tell you is as of right now they're showing no signs of missing rondo.

[flybono]

I don't think they're better in the regular season without him. I think if the other players were playing as well in the winter as they are now they'd be top seed in the east.
[/quote]


Rite on Brother...
Without a true point guard running the show vs Playoff competition they might win a series but no chance of beating the Heat..

Its a great story but without a defensive presence in the middle to help Garnett, again they don't stand a chance..

Even if they meet the Heat. Miami's pressure difference WILL be to much for Bradley and Lee.

Ainge missed the boat on trade day for a Veteran point man and or a big..

[celtics2]

They've been playing better since Rondo went out but I don't think they're a better team without Rondo.

We that see clearly with own eyes are convinced we're better w/o Rondo. Logic for some isn't logical. Of course it will be a better team when Rondo comes back and deepens our bench.

[Donoghus]

They've been playing better since Rondo went out but I don't think they're a better team without Rondo.

We that see clearly with own eyes are convinced we're better w/o Rondo. Logic for some isn't logical. Of course it will be a better team when Rondo comes back and deepens our bench.

Are you attempting to say that my statement isn't logical?

[Lightskinsmurf]

I don't think they're better in the regular season without him. I think if the other players were playing as well in the winter as they are now they'd be top seed in the east.

Rite on Brother...
Without a true point guard running the show vs Playoff competition they might win a series but no chance of beating the Heat..

Its a great story but without a defensive presence in the middle to help Garnett, again they don't stand a chance..

Even if they meet the Heat. Miami's pressure difference WILL be to much for Bradley and Lee.

Ainge missed the boat on trade day for a Veteran point man and or a big..
[/quote]

So you're saying even with rondo we stood no chance then.

[BballTim]

They've been playing better since Rondo went out but I don't think they're a better team without Rondo.

We that see clearly with own eyes are convinced we're better w/o Rondo. Logic for some isn't logical. Of course it will be a better team when Rondo comes back and deepens our bench.

  Are you trying to say Rondo would sit on the bench behind Lee and Bradley? Too funny.

[OsirusCeltics]

I honestly have to see how the Celtics play in the playoffs this year to make a conclusion

But the 2008 Championship run is a perfect example that Rondo probably is inter-changeable. Rondo was the 4th most important player that season, and did not dominate the ball

Celtics played so fluid on offense that season, and also were the best defensive team when Rondo wasn't at the forefront

[celtics2]

We that see clearly with own eyes are convinced we're better w/o Rondo. Logic for some isn't logical. Of course it will be a better team when Rondo comes back and deepens our bench.
[/quote]

  Are you trying to say Rondo would sit on the bench behind Lee and Bradley? Too funny.
[/quote]

Absolutely, what is this admiration of Rondo? Stop being a fan for a moment and look at recent facts. I would play Bradley until it didn't work anymore. What are we 15-4 with him. Rondo's last display of talent had an 18-20 record. Do you believe Allen left because the Team with Rondo was headed in the wrong direction. The Team stopped communicating and the locker room wasn't that cozy either.

[CelticConcourse]

Benching an All-Star? What am I even reading??

[celtics2]

Are you attempting to say that my statement isn't logical?
[/quote]

How can we be a better team like immediately when Rondo went down the Celts started winning and now have a 15-4 record compared to 18-20 with Rondo? Rondo became a drag on the Team and the record proves it. No one is bigger than the Team, Rondo was developing a negative attitude. Celticdom was in despair and Bradley brought new energy.

[celticsleyte]

Gotta love it how the guys who can hit free throws hate on Rondo, Shaq, Dwight Howard, and Josh Smith.  Let's totally discount all the great things they do that most people can not.

The inability to hit free throws at a high rate does not make one a liability on the basketball court.

Rondo is a great basketball player.

[Lightskinsmurf]

I honestly have to see how the Celtics play in the playoffs this year to make a conclusion

But the 2008 Championship run is a perfect example that Rondo probably is inter-changeable. Rondo was the 4th most important player that season, and did not dominate the ball

Celtics played so fluid on offense that season, and also were the best defensive team when Rondo wasn't at the forefront

I agree with all this.