This is why I can't stand Rajon Rondo

[TradeProposalDude]

I used to be one of his biggest fans. But I was very discouraged with his output in the Magic series. People say he's already an elite PG, and that he deserves a pass because he's got a title under his belt. Well let me say something. He is too inconsistent and passive. In fact he's passive most of the time. Defenses know how to react to his shot AND penetration, but they give him free shots anyway because they know if they sag off him he'll miss most of the time. So they're guaranteed to get the defensive board.

And what is this nonsense about him being a 2nd team all defensive player? He stank on defense against the likes of Rafer Alston and Anthony Johnson. He's also very poor at defending the pick and roll, though he did get better, only to get worse again.

If that's not all bad enough, he comes only 30 minutes before games, he fights with teammates (just ask Paul Pierce... he said he's come close to duking it out with him on a few occassions because he's so hard headed... said it in an EEI interview), and he makes poor decisions when he calls the shots. Remember that Christmas game in LA when Rondo took an ill advised three and Ray Allen yelled at him saying he was open. They did this on national TV! How embarrassing! And Rondo also recently got into a yelling match with Doc in a practice (maybe 2-3 months ago) because Doc was criticizing his passes and decision making skills. This happened in practice of course, but it was televised.

I hope we get a good big man and some defensive players for Rondo. You know, guys who actually PLAY defense.

[acieEarl]

Rondo makes that team go. Had we lost him instead of Garnett we woulda lost alot more games. Yes he didn't look great against Orlando, because Alston was playing way off him unlike Rose who tried to get up on him.

Look Rondo not perfect but the kids still really young, shoulda been a rookie this year and already is the 3rd best point guard in the league. His shot was better this year and he does all the other things really well. If we trade Rondo, the Celt will take a huge step backwards and kill their future after KG.

When Rondos is running and the team is running with him the Celts are a tough team to beat. He can get triple doubles any given night. How many players can do that?

[nickagneta]

Wow!!

What did you do gather up every bad publicity story and reason there was to get rid of a 23 year old P that is exhibiting signs of becoming one of the more elite PGs in the game? You are aware that PGs don't just become All-World caliber the minute they step on an NBA court? Not everyone is Chris Paul or Magic Johnson or John Stockton.

Rondo averaged 14.3 PPG, 9 APG and 10 RPG during the Orlando series. And yes, he was inconsistent but he's 23 and a ton more consistent than he was last year at this point. If next year he takes the same leap in consistency as he did from 2008 to 2009 then he is going to be an unbelievable player come 2010.

As for his hard headedness and confidence, I don't see those things as negatives. For a young PG who will soon be the MAN here in Boston, you want those qualities. And as much as he has had his run ins with Pierce and Ray and Doc, they would be the first to probably tell you that Rondo is great and they wouldn't want him being any other way than the way he is for such a young pro.

[johnnyrondo]

Maybe we should go back to Marcus Banks at the point. Or Orien Greene or maybe Gary Payton's corpse. Or how about Kenny Anderson? or Chris Herren could use the money right? What about Dee Brown or I heard John Bagley lost some wait? Or how about that local kid Wayne Turner? Dickau has a sweet jumber doesn't he? And Chris Corchianni as well. Or Tione can always play the point...

[TradeProposalDude]

Wow!!

What did you do gather up every bad publicity story and reason there was to get rid of a 23 year old P that is exhibiting signs of becoming one of the more elite PGs in the game? You are aware that PGs don't just become All-World caliber the minute they step on an NBA court? Not everyone is Chris Paul or Magic Johnson or John Stockton.

Rondo averaged 14.3 PPG, 9 APG and 10 RPG during the Orlando series. And yes, he was inconsistent but he's 23 and a ton more consistent than he was last year at this point. If next year he takes the same leap in consistency as he did from 2008 to 2009 then he is going to be an unbelievable player come 2010.

As for his hard headedness and confidence, I don't see those things as negatives. For a young PG who will soon be the MAN here in Boston, you want those qualities. And as much as he has had his run ins with Pierce and Ray and Doc, they would be the first to probably tell you that Rondo is great and they wouldn't want him being any other way than the way he is for such a young pro.

You see I agree with you there. He does make the team go. But so do lots of players who eventually end up being headcases. He will hurt us in the long run especially with the kind of money he will likely tie down the Celtics with. Just because a player is popular doesn't mean he is not a malcontent.

Also, addressing the posters who use his triple double averages to suggest he's a keeper. Exactly how is he stockpiling those stats? Rondo is one of the best change of pace PGs, I agree. He's an energizer. But he will never be a stabilizer. Without a steady jumper and with the questionable penetrating game he's got, he'll never amount to much. Yes I said it, he's a question mark driving to the rim, because he has trouble finishing. He relies WAY too much on off balance shots and creating offense through his stupid fake that defenses know how to react to.

[KCattheStripe]

I'll take Rondo's inconsistency over Derek Fischer's consistency any day.

[Fafnir]

I'll take Rondo's inconsistency over Derek Fischer's consistency any day.

Sadly Dererk Fisher's corpse is not consistent.

[KCattheStripe]

I'll take Rondo's inconsistency over Derek Fischer's consistency any day.

Sadly Dererk Fisher's corpse is not consistent.

Well that proves my point even more. 

Rondo is inconsistent in that some games he has 20pts 11assts and 10 rebs, and some games he has 11 pts, 12 assts and 8 rebs. While that is inconsistent, that inconsistency is between a great and very good player.

[celticmaestro]

Your analysis of Rajon Rondo is far off accurate and bewildering from someone who claims to be a Celtics fan. We have our best point guard in two decades, and you can't stand him? Dude, stick to proposing trades.

[droopdog7]

Look Rondo not perfect but the kids still really young, shoulda been a rookie this year and already is the 3rd best point guard in the league.

I'm sorry but this simply is not true.  I am guessing you are referring to Paul and Williams as one and two, which I agree with.  But Rondo still isn't better than Parker or Billups or Harris and maybe even Nelson.  And fully expect Rose to pass Rondo before he ever get's to third best PG.  So while I agree that the kid is good and is talented, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

[BballTim]

Wow!!

What did you do gather up every bad publicity story and reason there was to get rid of a 23 year old P that is exhibiting signs of becoming one of the more elite PGs in the game? You are aware that PGs don't just become All-World caliber the minute they step on an NBA court? Not everyone is Chris Paul or Magic Johnson or John Stockton.

Rondo averaged 14.3 PPG, 9 APG and 10 RPG during the Orlando series. And yes, he was inconsistent but he's 23 and a ton more consistent than he was last year at this point. If next year he takes the same leap in consistency as he did from 2008 to 2009 then he is going to be an unbelievable player come 2010.

As for his hard headedness and confidence, I don't see those things as negatives. For a young PG who will soon be the MAN here in Boston, you want those qualities. And as much as he has had his run ins with Pierce and Ray and Doc, they would be the first to probably tell you that Rondo is great and they wouldn't want him being any other way than the way he is for such a young pro.

You see I agree with you there. He does make the team go. But so do lots of players who eventually end up being headcases. He will hurt us in the long run especially with the kind of money he will likely tie down the Celtics with. Just because a player is popular doesn't mean he is not a malcontent.

Also, addressing the posters who use his triple double averages to suggest he's a keeper. Exactly how is he stockpiling those stats? Rondo is one of the best change of pace PGs, I agree. He's an energizer. But he will never be a stabilizer. Without a steady jumper and with the questionable penetrating game he's got, he'll never amount to much. Yes I said it, he's a question mark driving to the rim, because he has trouble finishing. He relies WAY too much on off balance shots and creating offense through his stupid fake that defenses know how to react to.

  Sure, you said it. He's a questionable finisher. They keep track of stats like that, on 82games.com. Here's a link:

  http://www.82games.com/0809/FGSORT11.HTM

  Find out how many PGs make a higher percentage of their inside shots than Rondo. Find out how many take more inside shots than Rondo.

  And his defense was pretty good. Alston scored more points and shot better against Philly and against Cleveland than he did against the Celts, and he was well below his season average. Derrick Rose had a PER of 17.7 during the season and 12.6 against Rondo.

[xmuscularghandix]

Your analysis of Rajon Rondo is far off accurate and bewildering from someone who claims to be a Celtics fan. We have our best point guard in two decades, and you can't stand him? Dude, stick to proposing trades.

Needed to be said. This is one of the worst things about the off-season... people say all sorts of ridiculous things like this.

[BballTim]

Look Rondo not perfect but the kids still really young, shoulda been a rookie this year and already is the 3rd best point guard in the league.

I'm sorry but this simply is not true.  I am guessing you are referring to Paul and Williams as one and two, which I agree with.  But Rondo still isn't better than Parker or Billups or Harris and maybe even Nelson.  And fully expect Rose to pass Rondo before he ever get's to third best PG.  So while I agree that the kid is good and is talented, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

  You honestly think that Devin Harris is a better pg than Rondo? He's a better scorer, but not a better ballhandler or passer or rebounder or defender.

[JSD]

Your analysis of Rajon Rondo is far off accurate and bewildering from someone who claims to be a Celtics fan. We have our best point guard in two decades, and you can't stand him? Dude, stick to proposing trades.

Needed to be said. This is one of the worst things about the off-season... people say all sorts of ridiculous things like this.

I don't think TPD is not alone in some of his sentiments:

"He's stubborn," Ainge told ESPN's Jackie MacMullen. "He doesn't always take direction well. He's very bright and knows what he needs to do to be successful. But sometimes he doesn't understand what the team needs to be successful."

Doc Rivers expressed similar sentiments, which he directed at Rondo himself earlier this season. "Do you know your teammates hate playing with you? ... The point guard has to be the guy that brings energy to the team. You can't be the guy that sucks it away. Your moodiness is affecting us. Change it."

[xmuscularghandix]

Look Rondo not perfect but the kids still really young, shoulda been a rookie this year and already is the 3rd best point guard in the league.

I'm sorry but this simply is not true.  I am guessing you are referring to Paul and Williams as one and two, which I agree with.  But Rondo still isn't better than Parker or Billups or Harris and maybe even Nelson.  And fully expect Rose to pass Rondo before he ever get's to third best PG.  So while I agree that the kid is good and is talented, let's not get ahead of ourselves here.

  You honestly think that Devin Harris is a better pg than Rondo? He's a better scorer, but not a better ballhandler or passer or rebounder or defender.

Yea theres no way Devin Harris is a better PG than Rondo, plus RR is the perfect PG for our system. He's a Pass first, excellent ball handling, amazing rebounding, well defending, 23 year old point guard.