Rondo's shooting

[Bahku]

After Rondo became serious about basketball, he attended Louisville's Eastern High School for three years where he played under head coach Doug Bibby. During his junior year, he averaged 27.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 7.5 assists. He also earned All-State honors and was named the 7th Region Player of the Year.

He transferred to Virginia's Oak Hill Academy for his senior year where he averaged 21.0 points per game, 3.0 rebounds per game and 12.0 assists per game and finished the 2003-04 season with a 38-0 record. In his senior year at Oak Hill Academy, Rondo broke Jeff McInnis single-season school record of 303 assists, while averaging a double-double.

There, he included two efforts of 27 assists and a single-game school record of 31, merely four away from the all-time national record. He also had a 55 point game in high-school, second highest all-time in Oak Hill Academy, surpassed only by Calvin Duncan with 61. Rondo was named to the McDonald's All-American Team in 2004 and scored a total of 14 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in the all-star game.

He also participated in the 2004 Jordan Capital Classic game, logging 12 points, 5 assists and 4 steals. He ended his career as Oak Hill Academy's all-time assists leader in a single season with 494 assists, surpassing Jeff McInnis. Not bad for High School ... I don't think we need to worry too much about Rondo becoming a "shooter" ... again.

[Birdbrain]

The good news... Rondo's shooting seems to be improved.  I don't want to jinx him, but he seems to be gaining a lot of confidence in his shot.  This month he's 4-5 on three pointers.  Tonight felt like the first game I've ever watched Rondo and felt like he wasn't a total liability shooting the basketball.  Last month he shot 31% from three (5 of 16).  Not great, but 31% is better than what Sheed is shooting from three this year.   And honestly, I can say with a straight face that I have just as much confidence in Rondo hitting a three as I do with Sheed at this point.  Is Rondo's three point range coming along quicker than his mid range game?... Not sure.  His free throw shooting is still pretty weak.

But you gotta give him props for how he's been playing lately.  In his last 5 games he's averaging 18.8 points, 11.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 steals on 58% shooting.   Simply outstanding.  He's been the lone bright spot of this miserable stretch.   He's been our most consistent player this season and has easily been the best statistical player on the Celts this year.

I just checked out the NBA efficiency list.  http://www.nba.com/statistics/player/Efficiency.jsp  ... Rondo is #23 in the league.  7th best guard.   In the East, the only guard putting up better numbers is Dwayne Wade.  Wow.  Seems like this team is becoming more and more Rondo's squad.  Either his teammates need to step up... or he needs some new teammates.

This is same guy 'some' said would never be even an adequate NBA shooter.  Those were the good ole' days.

[mmbaby]

Thanks for the Rhondo info, Bahku. Totally agree Rajon is a beautiful talent, thrilling to watch.

[Vermont Green]

.. I don't think we need to worry too much about Rondo becoming a "shooter" ... again.

I think this is the real point.  Right now, Rondo is not a good shooter.  He might become one...again.  I think it is very likely he will become a good shooter and an elite PG but right now, defenses laying off him is still an issue.  Rondo is not going to take this team to the promised land, we need Pierce and KG to do that.

In the future, an improved RR on a different team, who knows.  We will see.  It will be fun to watch.