Where does Rondo rank among NBA PGs today?

[Fafnir]

Rondo is definiely coming into his own, but lets make sure to consider the caliber of team he has been playing against in these games.  Derrick Rose and Raefer Alston don't play good defense.

Rondo knows his strengths:  penetrating the lane, dishing the ball and playing defense.  He is definitely one of the top 7-10 PGs in the league, but to compare him to CP3 and Deron Williams is a being a bit biased.

True.

But he's also had very good games against both Deron and Chris before. I think his main problem isn't that he can't perform against stronger opponents, but rather that he doesn't always attack and make plays aggressively. He defnitely can become passive for games at a time.

[Mr October]

Good point about the quality of the opponents defense MMacOH.

When the C's play the Lakers next... it'll be interesting to see what Rondo can do against Kobe's defense. Then we'll see how much he has really evolved...

[Celtics17]

" Plenty of great players have averaged a triple double over a series". Sorry but I just don't know how to paste that but if that is your line of argument against Rondo I think you should take a closer look at your own statement. You just called him a great player. Great in basketball terms transcends many and most labels and really applies to only the elite few. You used it correctly because only truly great players do such things. Now, I am quite aware of how good Chris Paul and Williams both are and anyone here is entitled to his, or her, opinion. I just feel as if Rondo is the best but I am not trying to take anything away from the other players. Sorry but as a Celtic's fan I have to be very, very biased towards our team. If I am not then the next thing you know I will be calling Kobe the best shooting guard in the league and the leagues 2nd best player and while I can type those words they simply will not come out of my mouth. It's kind of like "the Fonz" trying to tell a girl he loves her, if you remember "The Fonz".

[BballTim]

Because i place consistency high on my list when evaluating a player,Rondo probably will be around #7-8 in the league at this time and thats still high considering all the pg's in the league.

  What's consistency though? Is 5 points one night and 17 the next inconsistent, but 30 one night and 12 the next consistent?

[MMacOH]

Good point about the quality of the opponents defense MMacOH.

When the C's play the Lakers next... it'll be interesting to see what Rondo can do against Kobe's defense. Then we'll see how much he has really evolved...

  He would have to get through the Cavs first where he averages 7.5 ppg, 8.75 apg, 3.75 rpg and 3 stls/game.  Cavs do a good job of shutting him down by denying penetration in the lane and making him hit a consistent contested jumper

[Who]

(1) Deron Williams
(2) Chris Paul
(3) Tony Parker
(4) Chauncey Billups
(5) Rajon Rondo

[Atzar]

(1) Deron Williams
(2) Chris Paul
(3) Tony Parker
(4) Chauncey Billups
(5) Rajon Rondo

I agree with this.  TP.

[cordobes]

Williams would be my first choice to built a franchise. Paul is clearly at his level. Tony Parker is a tier bellow, standing alone. Then, after Parker, there are a few guys, more or less at the same level, including Rondo.

Yeah, in terms of potential I'd put Rondo above Harris and Westbrook but bellow Rose, Paul and Williams.

[cordobes]

Everything depends a lot on the situation the player is in. For example, Rondo is much more suited to play in an up-tempo offence or surrounded by more shot-creators and good outside shooters. A guy like Billups is a better player than Rondo in many NBA rosters; if I were Riley, Rondo wouldn't even be in my top-10 options of guys to pair with Wade.

[Atzar]

Everything depends a lot on the situation the player is in. For example, Rondo is much more suited to play in an up-tempo offence or surrounded by more shot-creators and good outside shooters. A guy like Billups is a better player than Rondo in many NBA rosters; if I were Riley, Rondo wouldn't even be in my top-10 options of guys to pair with Wade.

A good defensive PG with a lot of steals and doesn't have to get his own points to contribute positively to a game?  Really?  Sounds a lot like what Chalmers wishes he was, if you ask me...

If you're talking about other teams doubling Wade with Rondo's man, then that might be a valid point, but I still think Rondo would fit fairly well in that offense. 

[cordobes]

Everything depends a lot on the situation the player is in. For example, Rondo is much more suited to play in an up-tempo offence or surrounded by more shot-creators and good outside shooters. A guy like Billups is a better player than Rondo in many NBA rosters; if I were Riley, Rondo wouldn't even be in my top-10 options of guys to pair with Wade.

A good defensive PG with a lot of steals and doesn't have to get his own points to contribute positively to a game?  Really?  Sounds a lot like what Chalmers wishes he was, if you ask me...

If you're talking about other teams doubling Wade with Rondo's man, then that might be a valid point, but I still think Rondo would fit fairly well in that offense. 

He couldn't dominate the ball and he's a sub-par outside shooter. Rondo is quite ineffective playing off-the-ball - he mostly resorts to cuts through the lane and playing around the rim, but that works much better if you a shooting big man to have proper spacing. Chalmers is a very good fit in Miami, he's very good off-the-ball.

[BigAlTheFuture]

1. CP3
2. D Will
3. Billups
4. Tony Parker
5. Rajon Rondo

[dark_lord]

1. cp3
2. d. williams
3. t. parker
4a- billups
4b- rondo

[CoachBo]

Good discussion.

There's no question that Rondo's improving his game. However, and WADR, the indication by some that he's elevated his play to CP3 and Williams status is something I cannot agree with.

He's got to bring more consistency, more focus and more intensity to get there. Improved shooting wouldn't hurt, either.

[LarBrd33]

I'll answer it the same way I answered it on April 24th when it was asked, because believe it or not a few playoff games does not transform a player.

"He's not close to CP and Deron... and probably below Parker, Nash, Kidd, Billups... and then somewhere in the list with Harris, Nelson, Mo Williams and of course Rose."

But I absolutely love him.   If he can consistently put up the kind of absurdly ridiculous numbers he's had in the last 9 games... then we'll see.