I am not saying Rondo CAN'T change. I am not saying Rondo Won'T change. Because frankly, I really have no idea.
But here is the important question. If Rondo DID change, then what kind of value would he bring to the team. Off thd ball, he isn't really very much help at all to the team. Guys will double off of him and his presence will probably hurt the offense more than it helps.
So basically, we either committ to Rondo and let him be Rondo or we don't.
First of all Rondo wouldn't really be off the ball that much, he'd be one of the primary ball handlers in this offense. Secondly it's not really the case that defenders stay close to the other guards when they don't have the ball. That's why you get open shots with this offense.
Also, if Rondo gets left completely open we'll be in great shape when he gets the ball and he's wide open, he can shoot or pass or drive. All nonsense aside, there's no way any team would consider players like Lee or Bradley to be bigger offensive threats than Rondo.
Are you indicating that defenses don't completely ignore Rondo when he doesn't have the ball? That they don't completely clog the middle every chance they get? Or that they don't play Lee or Bradley more honestly when they don't have the ball than they do Rondo.
Because that is what I see.
I think you're kidding yourself if you think that people stick with players like Bradley and Lee when they don't have the ball. Heck, watch all the wide open shots KG gets, he's standing still on the perimeter without anyone close enough to him to challenge his shot when he gets a pass.
You are completely missing the point. I know defenders aren't sticking to Bradley and lee when they don't have the ball. They wouldn't be playing team defense if they did. But they are within a few steps and only leave those guys when the defense is compromised. If someone beats their man, certainly they come down to prevent penetration.
That is NOT what happens when rondo. In many cases, defenders are nowhere near him. They overplay the guy with the ball and don't even bother trying to close out if rondo does get the ball.
Like I said, rondo is a different creature completely off the ball than lee and Bradley. If you can't see that I'm not sure what to say.
You're talking about a different kind of playing off the ball. Rondo wouldn't be standing in the corner while PP or someone else runs the offense for a play or two, he'll still be handling the ball quite a bit, making cuts and running off of screens.
Maybe. I think we can agree that rondo standing in the corner isn't a good idea. And I know the ball would still be in rondos hands a lot. But we are clearly saying here is that the ball should be in his hands less than it is now. My point is, because rondo doesn't bring all that much when he's off the ball, and he in fact can be a detriment, then I am not sure that change will work.
In turns of him running off screens and such, I don't know. We're still talking about putting him in a situation that he is not accustomed to. Running someone like ray off screens pose a serious threat to the defense. Running rondo off screens, not so much. Can he cut like like Bradley? Perhaps. But now were talking about turning him ins Bradley.