Closing games with Rajon Rondo

[ScoobyDoo]

I think a little creativity from Doc would go a long way towards helping the Celtics close out games with Rondo at the point. Right now, the current typical scenario down the stretch is:

1. Rondo dribbling the ball at the top of the key
2. Rondo's man sagging off him by standing at the foul line and doubling every player that slashes into the lane.
* I watched this during the entire 2010 NBA finals and got real tired of watching us "not making" Kobe Bryant work on defense - he just stood at the foul line on every defensive posession for the Lakers.

3. Ray runs around - all over God's creation and maybe gets an open shot and maybe he makes it.

4. Or, Pierce gets' an ISO and maybe he makes it or maybe he doesn't...

How about acknowledging the following?

1. Rondo is a dominant player - but much like Magic Johnson, he is not going to dominate you with his outside shooting down the stretch. He would dominate you on the break and with his play making ability. Magic needed offensive closers around him.

2. Instead of having Rondo at the top in the half court, put Ray or Pierce there, have Rondo run some screens and get him the ball coming off some curls where he has a half step on his man, can get into the lane, break someone down and get an easy bucket for one of our big guys or find someone for an open jumper.

3. Hell, even putting Pierce or Ray at the top with Rondo on the post with KG on the elbow. As odd as it sounds, I think if Rondo were 6'10" he might be a dominant post player, probably better than anyone on our team. He gets nasty down there against his current pint sized peers.

The point is, almost anything would be better than Rondo just standing at the top of the key with his man sagging off him.

I think it's on Doc to figure out an "alternate closing offensive set" for when Rondo is at the point.

I'd most likely have Pierce up top with Ray and Rondo running routes:

1. Trying to find Ray for open looks
2. Trying to find Rondo either in the post against his point defender or coming off a curl with a half step on his man where he can break people down and set someone up.

WE are making absolutely zero use of Rondo's ability by having him pound the ball at the top of the key with his man sagging off him. We are actually setting him, and the team, up to fail.

Rondo, will dominate you on the break and with his play making, not his jump shooting. That's why he excels early in the games when it's more wide open but struggles in the fourth when it slows down....

So take him out of those positions. Be creative.

     

[pjbigshow]

I think a little creativity from Doc would go a long way towards helping the Celtics close out games with Rondo at the point. Right now, the current typical scenario down the stretch is:

1. Rondo dribbling the ball at the top of the key
2. Rondo's man sagging off him by standing at the foul line and doubling every player that slashes into the lane.
* I watched this during the entire 2010 NBA finals and got real tired of watching us "not making" Kobe Bryant work on defense - he just stood at the foul line on every defensive posession for the Lakers.

3. Ray runs around - all over God's creation and maybe gets an open shot and maybe he makes it.

4. Or, Pierce gets' an ISO and maybe he makes it or maybe he doesn't...

How about acknowledging the following?

1. Rondo is a dominant player - but much like Magic Johnson, he is not going to dominate you with his outside shooting down the stretch. He would dominate you on the break and with his play making ability. Magic needed offensive closers around him.

2. Instead of having Rondo at the top in the half court, put Ray or Pierce there, have Rondo run some screens and get him the ball coming off some curls where he has a half step on his man, can get into the lane, break someone down and get an easy bucket for one of our big guys or find someone for an open jumper.

3. Hell, even putting Pierce or Ray at the top with Rondo on the post with KG on the elbow. As odd as it sounds, I think if Rondo were 6'10" he might be a dominant post player, probably better than anyone on our team. He gets nasty down there against his current pint sized peers.

The point is, almost anything would be better than Rondo just standing at the top of the key with his man sagging off him.

I think it's on Doc to figure out an "alternate closing offensive set" for when Rondo is at the point.

I'd most likely have Pierce up top with Ray and Rondo running routes:

1. Trying to find Ray for open looks
2. Trying to find Rondo either in the post against his point defender or coming off a curl with a half step on his man where he can break people down and set someone up.

WE are making absolutely zero use of Rondo's ability by having him pound the ball at the top of the key with his man sagging off him. We are actually setting him, and the team, up to fail.

Rondo, will dominate you on the break and with his play making, not his jump shooting. That's why he excels early in the games when it's more wide open but struggles in the fourth when it slows down....

So take him out of those positions. Be creative.

     

+1... Couldn't agree more with 70% of our possessions resembling Rondo just dribbling ball to death at the top then passing it to someone who takes a bad shot. No rhythym to our team, confounding offense. Just look at film from 08 an see the ball movement and spacing... Where'd it go?? What happened to these guys?? And don't say age cause I'm not buying it, they have all looked just fine at times this season... Somethings goin on and none I them have a clue.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yes, i agree with you. WE basically have two main guys who can initiate the offense or create something on their own at this point, it's Rondo and Pierce.

Rondo seems to excel in the first 2-3 quarters when games, in general tend to be more wide open and faster paced up and down the court. He struggles in the more slow it down half court game.

Put Pierce more in the play maker, top of the key role down the stretch - bring Rondo off curls where he can easily get into the lane and wreak some havoc.

And if he'
s at the top of the key and he's open, he "has" to shoot the ball.   

[Celtics4ever]

I hate to say it but I have doubts about PP finishing.  At one time he was the guy I would want taking a shot with my life depending on it but maybe not so much anymore.

[Rtpas11]

Just bench Rondo in the 4th... That's all. The difference between 08 & current is that teams have now become aware of Rondo's ability. His weakness & strengths. He was virtually a nobody before the 08 season fighting for minutes with Delonte & Telfair. He has a weakness that is a devastating disadvantage for this ball club. Come March 1st Rondo, J.O. & Dooling will be sent packing

[dark_lord]

the problem with rondo at end of games is his liability at the free throw line, along with his inconsistent (im being kind here  ) jumpshot.

[Swoopz]

Just bench Rondo in the 4th... That's all. The difference between 08 & current is that teams have now become aware of Rondo's ability. His weakness & strengths. He was virtually a nobody before the 08 season fighting for minutes with Delonte & Telfair. He has a weakness that is a devastating disadvantage for this ball club. Come March 1st Rondo, J.O. & Dooling will be sent packing

I can never tell if you're being serious or not.

the problem with rondo at end of games is his liability at the free throw line, along with his inconsistent (im being kind here  ) jumpshot.

Although the free throws are a big problem, his jumper's been pretty steady lately. I just hate when he misses layups in the 4th.

[greenpride32]

2. Rondo's man sagging off him by standing at the foul line and doubling every player that slashes into the lane.

Unfortunately this is starting to happen now during all times of the game; not just crunch time.  And this the reason why we have all those 3-5 minute droughts w/o a FG.  It's just pathetic.  The ball needs to go into Pierce's hand.  Is that an ideal situation?  Not really; but it's the best option this team has.

[Celtics4ever]

Just bench Rondo in the 4th

Bradley is not a better shooter to be honest.