Gameplan: Not Rondo?

[blake]

Was it me or did it seem like the gameplan started out to not run the offense through Rondo?  I felt like Ray and Pierce were starting out with the ball on most plays.  I think one of the reasons Rondo's night was off was because of this.  Did anyone else notice this?  It was early in the game, but I clearly remember yelling at the TV about it.

[Snakehead]

You're right, but I don't know if this was the gameplan or how Rondo was playing.  He wasn't scoring or creating plays to the basket like he did in some of the other games, but Rondo's play has been erratic and it could have just been how things developed this time.

[blake]

I don't know if it was how they developed so much as Ray and Paul were actually taking the ball and starting the play.  The ball ended up in Rondo's hands, but with 18 seconds or so in the shotclock rather than 22 because of his patented "don't dare touch the ball until you are forced to" move.

[droopdog7]

Until Rondo can get his jump shot to an acceptable level, he will not be a consistent star in the NBA.  It's just to difficult for him to blow by defenders who play smart. 

[blake]

I'm talking about walking the ball down the court.  We were purposefully having PP and Ray Ray take the ball.

[MVP]

It has to do with choosing either Pierce or Rondo. Both players need to dominate the ball to really be effective. Pierce played really well in game 4 and although Rondo put up the points that game, you could see the effect on him with him ending up with just 3 assists. In game 5, both his points and assists were effected.

What happens when Pierce has it going is we usually run an isolation plays for Pierce. Then Pierce does his thing and he either takes a shot or passes it off with less then 10 seconds left on the shot clock. What happened last night is Rondo's defender double teamed Pierce so Pierce had to pass to Rondo with the shot clock running down and Rondo had to either take a jumpshot or try to find somebody open quick which is playing to his weaknesses. Rondo is forced to be the finisher instead of the creator.

On the other hand, earlier in the playoffs when Rondo had it going he was the one dominating the ball and Pierce was struggling. Rondo was penetrating the defense and kicking to Pierce for open jumpshots...but Pierce isn't really comfortable with that game. He likes to isolate and take shots off the dribble. Also, I think Ray Allen is somewhat dependent on Rondo playing well so Allen's struggles have a lot to do with Rondo not playing as well as in the Chicago series. So it's a tough decision between your best players/most explosive offensive player or your pg/sg. Pierce has it going right now so you have to keep going to him.

[droopdog7]

I'm talking about walking the ball down the court.  We were purposefully having PP and Ray Ray take the ball.

When we took Rondo out, we brought in Marbury who struggled for a few series so we replaced him with House.  This is before Marbury came back in and did his thing.  So because House was in, PP or Ray Ray had to bring the ball down.  Once Rondo came back in at the end of the 4th, I think he brought the ball up as usual.

[BballTim]

I'm talking about walking the ball down the court.  We were purposefully having PP and Ray Ray take the ball.

When we took Rondo out, we brought in Marbury who struggled for a few series so we replaced him with House.  This is before Marbury came back in and did his thing.  So because House was in, PP or Ray Ray had to bring the ball down.  Once Rondo came back in at the end of the 4th, I think he brought the ball up as usual.

  In the first quarter Rondo was giving the ball up to either Paul or Ray either right before or right after he crossed into the frontcourt. It started from the first or 2nd possession so it wasn't a case of Rondo struggling and then letting Paul and Ray run the offense.

[LarBrd33]

Seems Pierce has been taking control of the offense the last couple games and it's worked out.  Pierce refuses to let the team die and he's doing a big job keeping them competitive. Rondo has been fantastic in these playoffs, but if you look at our history-making season start, Rondo's numbers were pretty average.   

[crownsy]

Seems Pierce has been taking control of the offense the last couple games and it's worked out.  Pierce refuses to let the team die and he's doing a big job keeping them competitive. Rondo has been fantastic in these playoffs, but if you look at our history-making season start, Rondo's numbers were pretty average.   

also rondo looks markedly slower, one wonders if the two sprained ankles are starting to wear down his speed after the Chicago war and long minutes this series.