Doc: Rondo isn't injured, it's mental / Rondo's play (merged)

[rondohondo]

I know he is not 100%,but he can still penetrate. Tonight he passed up a wide open layup , he was right at the rim and just had to put it up, but instead passed it out for a missed 3. Rondo has to be much more aggressive in game 6. He will have the crowd behind him so that will help I think.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm 99% sure Doc used the phrase "it's mental" to describe Rondo during his press conference.  He also indicated that he's very aware that Rondo is a second year player, and he's going to have moments like this.

We need this kid to step up, big time.  A point guard needs to want the ball in crunch time, and be able to make plays.  It's a little disconcerting to hear the coach questioning his ability to mentally focus on this stage.

[blake]

He has played much better in home games during the playoffs.  Although I love Rondo, I really hope he doesn't start.  I feel that he is the reason we keep going down so early in the games and have to crawl out.

[crownsy]

its not a question of him playing better, the lakers aren't going to stop doubling off him.

our offense looks 10x better right now with eddie in and ray or paul handling the ball.

i'd give serious consideration to starting eddie or sam, just so kobe can't

1) roam on defense

2) push the ball at rondo in transition on a cross match.

[RockinRyA]

he plays better in boston

[vinnie]

he plays better in boston

That may be true, but he has not played in Boston yet with Kobe (not) guarding him.  The main reason this team has gone down so big in the first quarter of the last two games is Rondo's tentative play.

[wdleehi]

He plays better in Boston.  Give him the ball and lest see what he can do.  He should be the most rested starter (along with a returning Perkins)

[Frontierboy]

Rondo stunk it up during a 30 second time frame after he lost the jump ball to a guy 10 years old than him...... fouled the same older guy on a jumpshot with 2 seconds remaining on the shot clock..... then goes into the air to passoff a ball that gets stolen and converted to a 3pointer......

Rondo shouldn't be playing anymore..... House should be starting..... Cassell should backup.... and Rondo should be situational.....  Ray or Paul can bring the ball up....... at this point he is a liability

[Chris]

The only reason it is mental is that LA has gameplanned him out.  They have forced him to shoot the ball, or be a completely useless body out there on offense.  This has clearly gotten into his head. 

Rondo is going to be fine in the longrun...but I am not confident he is going to be able to do much for the rest of the series.

The one thing he should be doing though, is taking advantage of being ignored, and absolutely attack the boards.  He should be running everywhere trying to find seams, and basically causing havoc.