Making a Case for Rondo: The Similarities in Criticism of him and PP

[sed522002]

There's been a lot of negativity about Rondo since Doc left. A lot of it was unjustified and unfair. I just think that he needs to be given a chance in a completely different situation and given the opportunity to show what he's capable of.

I found an old article about Pierce and you'd swear they were talking about Rondo. Here's a few tidbits.

"It's about maturing," he acknowledged. "That's all it is. When I look back at all the dumb stuff I did - that's me, but hey, I was a young player, you're still learning the NBA. That's what helps you grow, learning from your mistakes."

It was dumb to get on the bad side of Team USA coaches George Karl and Gregg Popovich when our lads finished an embarrassing sixth at the Worlds in 2002. And the Paul Pierce of 2008 might not wear hideous fake bandage he strapped on his head for a press conference when the Celtics were beaten by the Pacers in the 2005 playoffs. Then there was that unfortunate statement he made to the Globe's Jackie MacMullan in March of 2007: "I'm the classic case of a great player on a bad team, and it stinks."

Pierce didn't like Pitino. Then he didn't like Doc Rivers. It was obvious. Pierce would stand apart from his teammates and coach during timeouts.

"Me and Doc definitely bumped heads from the beginning," he said. "There were screaming matches, rebellion. I didn't think it was going to work between me and him. Doc would say, 'Paul, your body language and your attitude says a lot for the guys around you. I know you're not happy not winning games. But you have to know how if affects the rest of the guys. When your body language is low and you're not getting extra shots, it rubs off on the other guys.'

The Celtics tried to trade Pierce for Chris Paul the night of the 2005 NBA draft, but could not close the deal.

(Seems CP3 was always the apple of Doc's eye even before Rondo..lol)

"We had to go in one direction or the other," said Ainge. "It was either go with Paul, or go young and start over. There was discussion. We decided we wanted to win with him here, rather than trade him and see someone else win with him.

Let's give him a chance to succeed before we right him off to fail.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/06/05/moment_of_truth/?page=full

[Yogi]

TP.  It's much easier to make a case for Rondo though.

1.  He's Rajon Rondo.

[sed522002]

TP.  It's much easier to make a case for Rondo though.

1.  He's Rajon Rondo.

Lol...I just found the similarities in the criticisms of Rondo and PP very interesting.

He didn't always get along with Doc and I'm sure those screaming matches he talked about weren't all PC. Rondo isn't perfect AT ALL, but the media has overblown the "Rondo Attitude" situation and most of it is coming from people that aren't even around the team.