Rondo is 100% absolutely correct is his assessment.
He is, by far and without any debate, the single, toughest guy on our team. KG and Pierce are both great athletes who are athletically tough guys with great durability but they are not "tough guys", they are finesse guys - not a knock on them, just the truth.
The reason the 08 and 2010 and 2012 teams were so good is because of the right mix of finesse and tough enforcer type players.
2008:
Ray, Pierce and KG - skill and finesse
TAllen, Rondo, Perkins, Powe, Posey and PJ - all "tough guys"
2010:
Perkins, Rasheed, Rondo, TAllen, Baby, Sheldon Williams
Ray, Pierce and KG for finesse
2012:
Keyon Dooling, Pietrus, Stiemsma, Hollins, Rollins, Bradley
KG, Pierce and Ray for finesse.
It's a pretty simple formula. Skill and talent drive the team but you absolutely MUST have guys that are lunch pale, dirty work guys and that YES, are very willing to throw down any time, if and when necessary. Not that you may ever have to, but as another poster stated, when you know Perkins, Shaq, TAllen, Posey type of players are on the other side and that you will likely play a price the next time down the court, it's just in the back of your mind. It's also always in the back of your mind when you get in the paint or think about take a high flyer to the rim...
It's pretty basic 101 basketball chemistry.
So again, Rondo is the toughest guy currently on our team, by a mile.
It's about like this
1. Rondo
2. Bradley (yes, Bradley) he's a Tony Allen type
3. Jared Sullinger 0he needs to get stronger - but he has it in him, you can see it.
4. Brandon Bass, KG and Pierce are all on a similar level
It falls off "dramatically" from there. Melo might have some in him, haven't seen enough yet.
It's one of the main reasons I wanted us to draft Ezeli this year - While Melo's ceiling might be higher, I thought Ezeli woulod bring some immediate toughness into the paint along side KG - a more athletic Perkins.
I've also wanted Reggie Evans on the team pretty much ever since Powe left.
I also thought Aaron Gray was an obvious target for his size and weight and was very excited about seeing Darko with KG for the same reason.
A lot of it is just about size and weight to be able to bang and lay bodies on guys, that's why Shaq was so effective even at an older age. But there's also the edgy guys you MUST have a few of - guys like Reggie Evans, Perkins, TAllen, Bradley.
Suprisingly, Bradley will help this team tremendously in the toughness department when he comes back. His "dirty nose" approach to the game will rub off on the team.