Why doesn't Rondo keep his man in front of him?

[vinnie]

And it is just not Rondo. Orlando had way too many easy layups and slams tonight because the guards were beaten by penetration resulting in an easy hoop. I just don't get it. Do they still think that Garnett is back there to block the shot? They need to tighten up on the perimeter.

[RAcker]

I wish we had an actual stat count of how many times we got completely caught up and/or knocked down by picks. Horrible communication.

Rondo was guilty as was Pierce, et al.

[vagrantwade]

I don't really know what Rondo is doing. I understand the Celtics defense. I know he is suppose to play back and help when necessary, but he needs to stay IN FRONT of the PG.

[TheReaLPuba]

It seems that Pierce is not getting the calls that most other stars in this league get.

Guys are running him into moving picks and he is getting hammered without getting the calls!

[ScoobyDoo]

Rondo is one of the worst best defenders in the league. It's unbeleivable to me. Guys are constantly blowing by him all night, it's some of the best matador defense I've ever seen and I just can't comprehend it mainly because with his speed it should be a very rare occasion that anyone is getting by him.

He also constantly goes over the top of the pick  when with a guy like johsnon he should definately be going under the pick on a alot of occasion.

So very tired of Rondo slapping at guys from behind and the watching Perk have to bail him out and get foul trouble because of it.

I just do not get it. It's like BB 101.   

[Jaycelt]

Howard sets a ton of moving picks.  I'm not sure what you can do aobut that if the officials aren't going to call it.

[Scribbles]

Rondo for whatever reason likes to play guys on the side or from behind a little and try and poke the ball away from behind with his long wingspan.  You can get away with that when both Perkins and KG are on the floor to a certain extent, but really he shouldn't be doing that at all.  Plus he gambles frequently for steals and that's something he shouldn't be doing without KG in the paint.  Its a bad habit he really needs to break IMO, but that's up to the coaching staff. 

[Change]

They have been doing the PnR penetration since game1. Its just Rafer Alston couldn't finish those layups, and anthony johnson did in game3.

Rondo defense is steal orientated. Instead of focusing of his man, Rondo is looking to poke that ball. Anthony Johnson made him pay.

I wish we had a true shot blocker (no KG isn't a shot blocker)

[EJPLAYA]

Because he is a gambler. He wants the home run instead of just playing good solid defense. He had the physical tools to stay in front of Johnson last night and really make their offense struggle. As usual however he chose instead to try and steal the ball which cost us again and again. Johnson is a smart veteran and used his poor fundamentals against him which really set the tempo of the game. I thought Rondo came out and reverted back to his "not so great" self and even though he had stretches of playing well, it was too late to recover.

What I don't understand is why Doc doesn't pull the guy aside after even a minute or so and lay into him about doing things the right way. He needs to shrink this guys ego a little and reign him in. If not we are going to have to deal with this off again on again garbage for years.

[BballTim]

Howard sets a ton of moving picks.  I'm not sure what you can do aobut that if the officials aren't going to call it.

  Honestly, if they reffed him like they ref Perk he'd foul out in the first quarter. Lewis is almost as bad.

[Eeyore III]

Excellent points vinnie and EJP.  TPs. 

Doc needs to find some way to hold Rondo accountable.  He walks the ball up when he should push it.  He refuses to stay in front of his man.  When his man blows by him, Perk or another guy picks up a foul that is Rondo's fault. 

[keylazy]

He went for the steals and that's how he play on game 2 as well. Nothing is changed. Magic setting some solid pick for their guards also help.

[CoachBo]

Despite what you read on this board, Rondo doesn't come to play every night. His intensity - and thus his play - are wildly inconsistent. His defense, frankly, is overrated and it's not because he can't defend. He doesn't want to defend all the time.

I continue to see significant maturity issues with his game, and he's got to iron that out before he will elevate his game into the pantheon of NBA great point guards. He's not there yet, and last night, he wasn't close.

[pengaloo]

Despite what you read on this board, Rondo doesn't come to play every night. His intensity - and thus his play - are wildly inconsistent. His defense, frankly, is overrated and it's not because he can't defend. He doesn't want to defend all the time.

I continue to see significant maturity issues with his game, and he's got to iron that out before he will elevate his game into the pantheon of NBA great point guards. He's not there yet, and last night, he wasn't close.

We keep saying that he's not there "yet" -- but I'm beginning to wonder if he'll ever get there (or maybe this is just an overreaction to last night). I know it's only his third season and he's 23, but is competitiveness something that can be changed? Can he really force himself to play competitively if he's playing someone he truly doesn't perceive to be worth playing against? I feel like he has to change his worldview, or have an epiphany or something.

I love Rondo (and he's by far my favorite player), but why is it so hard to motivate him to play his best every game?

[vagrantwade]

They have been doing the PnR penetration since game1. Its just Rafer Alston couldn't finish those layups, and anthony johnson did in game3.

Rondo defense is steal orientated. Instead of focusing of his man, Rondo is looking to poke that ball. Anthony Johnson made him pay.

I wish we had a true shot blocker (no KG isn't a shot blocker)

Wasn't Perkins 4th in the NBA in blocked shots?