Why is Rondo playing unfathomably well?

[Chris]

I think a huge part of it is the way they are playing defense.  They are overplaying Ray and Paul so much, it is creating a lot of space for Rondo to work and make things happen.

But the bigger reason is that Rondo is playing with a ton of confidence, and he is taking and making the shots they are giving him.  I don't think he has passed up an open, rhythm shot all series, and in the past he would pass up 4-5 of these a game (at least).

So basically you're saying that the Bulls have decided, "lets make them try and beat us with Glen Davis and Rajon Rondo instead of Ray and PIerce"... and so far it's worked half the time?

Pretty much, yeah. 

[pengaloo]

...Red Bull?

But seriously, I think he's mentally focused. Something Ray said in the Boston Herald after game 2: “I told him his focus was there all day today. From early this morning he was zoned in, and I said to him, ‘That’s how I love to see you. You’ve taken your game to the next level. Just remember that people are watching. You continue to do that, we’re going to be in a good place.’ ”

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/view/2009_04_21_Rajon_Rondo_makes_his_point:_In_complete_control/srvc=home&position=also

I also think Rajon's playing so well because he must be watching an absurd amount of film while resting his ankles. Watching so much film may also be one reason why he plays so well against the good PGs. Good things happen when you study before an exam.

Now he just has to focus on playing good defense too.

[bballdog384]

I think a big reason for Rondo's improvement is his increased amount of minutes on the floor. He's averaging 43 right now and averaged about 33 during the season.
If you take his 11, 8, and 5 numbers for 33 min a game, he would have gotten 14.3,10.4, and 6.5 if he had played 43 a game. These numbers are much closer to his playoff averages.

Combine this with no KG and get more rebounds and more scoring. Its not a fluke, its just Rondo doing his thing!!

[TheReaLPuba]

If Rondo has the ball and opportunities he is going to score the ball. The dude is too smart, too nifty, too quick, and too creative not to.

What helps him is the fact that other teams don't make him shoot jumpers...yes he's making them more with consistency but would you rather give him 10 jumpshots or 10 drives to the hoop if you were defending him?

[Mr October]

Rondo really gets up for show downs against the other young PGs who are already anointed as superstars. He wants in.

That and Rose is not ready to defend a guy like Rondo.

[MVP]

Talent and a huge desire to win.

sure, but you don't just randomly overnight go from averaging 11 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals (solid, for sure) to being the 2nd best player in the league.  Must be Rose and his rookie defense.

No, Roses defense in not the major factor. Rondo has shown flashes of this before. I attribute it to KG being out and Rondo as a result having more touches/rebounding opportunities, him playing more minutes, Rondo being aggressive for all 4 games so far, and this series being fast paced which suits Rondo's game much better.

Just look at his stats for February. In 12 games, he averaged 13.8 points, 10.1 assists and 7 rebounds in 36.5 minutes. If you prolong those stats to 43.3 minutes (the minutes he's averaging in these playoffs) it's - 16.4 points, 12 assists, 8.3 rebounds. Not quite as impressive as what he's getting in these 4 games, but still indicative of his ability and not just because Rose is a bad defender.

[zerophase]

Talent and a huge desire to win.

sure, but you don't just randomly overnight go from averaging 11 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals (solid, for sure) to being the 2nd best player in the league.  Must be Rose and his rookie defense.

No, Roses defense in not the major factor. Rondo has shown flashes of this before. I attribute it to KG being out and Rondo as a result having more touches/rebounding opportunities, him playing more minutes, Rondo being aggressive for all 4 games so far, and this series being fast paced which suits Rondo's game much better.

Just look at his stats for February. In 12 games, he averaged 13.8 points, 10.1 assists and 7 rebounds in 36.5 minutes. If you prolong those stats to 43.3 minutes (the minutes he's averaging in these playoffs) it's - 16.4 points, 12 assists, 8.3 rebounds. Not quite as impressive as what he's getting in these 4 games, but still indicative of his ability and not just because Rose is a bad defender.

I agree. I remember the games that KG returned in, Rondo suddenly become much more tentative and reluctant to drive and there was more dump the ball to the post and get out of the way.

[beantownboy171]

All I know is that by the end of the celtics playoffs (no matter how early it ends) the term "the big 3" will be extremely outdated. I can't see how anyone can't include rondo in the big 4 when he'd be the best player on half of the teams in this league.

[CoachBo]

His game is maturing, on both ends of the floor. He's found offensive consistency, and his defensive highs and lows seem to be moderating, his poor defensive performance in Game 1 notwithstanding.

The wild ups and downs of his game, as late as the playoffs last year, have leveled off - a big step toward greatness.

[TitleMaster]

As I'd stated before, this is a backcourt series. PP needs to man the boards and keep the opponents from dominating the glass and our guards can handle the rest.

[go11celtics]

Talent and a huge desire to win.

sure, but you don't just randomly overnight go from averaging 11 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals (solid, for sure) to being the 2nd best player in the league.  Must be Rose and his rookie defense.

No, Roses defense in not the major factor. Rondo has shown flashes of this before. I attribute it to KG being out and Rondo as a result having more touches/rebounding opportunities, him playing more minutes, Rondo being aggressive for all 4 games so far, and this series being fast paced which suits Rondo's game much better.

Just look at his stats for February. In 12 games, he averaged 13.8 points, 10.1 assists and 7 rebounds in 36.5 minutes. If you prolong those stats to 43.3 minutes (the minutes he's averaging in these playoffs) it's - 16.4 points, 12 assists, 8.3 rebounds. Not quite as impressive as what he's getting in these 4 games, but still indicative of his ability and not just because Rose is a bad defender.

I agree. I remember the games that KG returned in, Rondo suddenly become much more tentative and reluctant to drive and there was more dump the ball to the post and get out of the way.

also, with KG out, the lane is less clogged giving him more freedom. baby isnt usually down low so the paint is more open for him. i dont know just a thought, but i dont really care as long as he can continue to put up these numbers.

[BrickJames]

also, with KG out, the lane is less clogged giving him more freedom. baby isnt usually down low so the paint is more open for him. i dont know just a thought, but i dont really care as long as he can continue to put up these numbers.

No offense, but KG clog the paint?  He's a 7 foot stilt who shoots 17 foot jumpers.  This is not the reason IMO.

But I'm with you, as long as Rondo is doing this who cares?   I hope he can keep it up, but his numbers right now are other worldly.

What impresses me the most is the few turnovers he commits.  And the way he's been attacking the hoop. Really special to watch.