Player Evaluations

[nickagneta]

Rondo: B+.   I think he’s playing well, but until he stays in front of his man every minute he’s in the game, I won’t be giving him an A.  

  So all he has to do to earn an A is be the best defender in the history of the game? You're setting the bar pretty low.

Amen, I was wondering if someone else would catch that.

Perhaps "every minute" was a bit extreme, but I want to see him consistently play D with the intention to stay in front of his man.  You can't tell me this is how he plays now.

  How many point guards are consistently better defenders than Rondo? And are we positive that his instructions from the coaches are to stick with his man and keep him in front of him at all costs?

Rondo is the leading candidate for 1st Team All-Defense in the NBA at the PG position right now. I'm not sure it's even close if the votes were cast today. While we expect so much out of Rondo, this league is now full of lightning quick PGs and keeping them in front of you even most of the time with the high post screens and pick and rolls that every team in the league runs is extremely difficult.

Is Rondo sometimes lazy in that regard? Absolutely. Is he still the best defensive PG in the league even though he does get lazy in that regard? Absolutely.

Rondo is constantly trying to rebound on the offensive end, unlike most PGs, and for that reason, he is constantly harassing the outlet passer causing a delay in the fast break and allowing his team mates to get back on defense. He also is probably the best in the league at anticipating fast break passes and deflecting them or stealing them. I think his defense is pretty [dang] good and will get stifling good eventually.

[MattG12]

Rondo: B+.   I think he’s playing well, but until he stays in front of his man every minute he’s in the game, I won’t be giving him an A.  

  So all he has to do to earn an A is be the best defender in the history of the game? You're setting the bar pretty low.

Amen, I was wondering if someone else would catch that.

Perhaps "every minute" was a bit extreme, but I want to see him consistently play D with the intention to stay in front of his man.  You can't tell me this is how he plays now.

  How many point guards are consistently better defenders than Rondo? And are we positive that his instructions from the coaches are to stick with his man and keep him in front of him at all costs?

Rondo is the leading candidate for 1st Team All-Defense in the NBA at the PG position right now. I'm not sure it's even close if the votes were cast today. While we expect so much out of Rondo, this league is now full of lightning quick PGs and keeping them in front of you even most of the time with the high post screens and pick and rolls that every team in the league runs is extremely difficult.

Is Rondo sometimes lazy in that regard? Absolutely. Is he still the best defensive PG in the league even though he does get lazy in that regard? Absolutely.

Rondo is constantly trying to rebound on the offensive end, unlike most PGs, and for that reason, he is constantly harassing the outlet passer causing a delay in the fast break and allowing his team mates to get back on defense. He also is probably the best in the league at anticipating fast break passes and deflecting them or stealing them. I think his defense is pretty [dang] good and will get stifling good eventually.

Amen!

[QuinielaBox]

Favorite player to least favorite:


Perkins is my candidate to earn most improved player in the league.

Rondo continues to get better and he was already a great player.

Paul Pierce has been the glue getting all the clutch baskets. Who will get the clutch baskets in his absense since other teams will focus on Ray Allen.

KG - not dominating but he hasn't had to be. That is a good thing.

Ray - Just a nice player all around.

Rasheed - Takes way too many threes and he takes up a lot of space out there and has hurt players like Eddie House.

Marquis Daniels - good player but his injury has hurt him

Sheldon Williams - Good role player who is doing his level best to replace Glen Davis and Leon Powe. That is asking too much out of him.

Tony Allen - Forgotten man but is trying hard to make something good happen for himself and the Celtics. It could be his last opportunity to do something in his NBA career.

Brian Scalabrine - He has his limitations and his career is probably winding down. Perhaps he will be a coach in the near future.

Eddie House - not shooting his shot well and basically been a liability out there most nights. A regular rotation player listed below Brian Scalabrine is not a good thing.

Lester Hudson - done real well for the Maine Red Claws. Is only a Rondo injury away from being a rotation player.

Bill Walker - Won't get much of a chance here until Tony Allen and Scalabrine leave the Celtics

Glen Davis - Went from being a playoff star to starting over due to a preseason fight where he injures his thumb. Shame on you, Glen.

JR Giddens - probably a BUST.

Overall, the Celtics are a solid contender but I am concerned about matchups with other top contenders around the league. Injuries and attrition are always a concern.