Rajon Rondo just doesn't get it. And that's why he doesn't have a new contract.

[GKC]

I disagree with the OP. Rondo had a pretty good game, and passed very well. A lot of the points are just nitpicking. Rondo slowing down to get the poster?

If you look at what Ray did, you'll understand that you HAVE to try and dunk it, because if you lay it up, Lebron will DEFINITELY get it. I think it's a sign that ROndo learned, because a week ago, he tried to go off glass and Lebron killed them. Same reason why Cliff Lee in the playoffs laid it up, got blocked, and on the next fast break possession dunked it instead.

As for boxing out, there is absolutely no need to box out as a point guard against a guard that doesn't stay for the rebound. Once the shot goes in the air, Mo is already running back on D. This allows for Rondo to sneak between big men and grab a board, something that's extremely effective as you can see by his stats.

I think Rondo had a good game, and it's hard to complain about that. Simply nitpicking, you can do it to every player, and I just think for the sake of the fact that he wants money, it's been targetted at Rondo and it's a little unfair.

[BballTim]

Sorry if this seems like a first-post-ever slamming of a player.   I actually have been posting here during the seasons for a few years now.

I am just sick of Rondo and his lack of basic fundamental basketball knowledge.  Don't get me wrong, he's a sick athlete, and he's a top-10 PG in the league, but the fundamental flaws in his game are atrocious.  I thought during his first few years that he would be coached out of them, but it hasn't happened yet.  Whether Doc is to blame for not teaching it, or Rondo for not listening, I don't know.  But a high school coach would pull his hair out over the things Rondo does.

To wit:

1.  Wait until your teammate sets a pick before you start to make your move.  Rondo costs his team multiple moving screen fouls every game because he's too impatient.  It happened throughout the Chicago series last year, and again last night in the 4th with Pierce.  As Paul is running up to set a pick on Rondo's man, Rajon starts his move before Pierce is set and Rondo's man runs into a still-moving Pierce.  Wait Rondo, wait.

Rondo's not alone in this, as Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Paul Pierce do it on occasion as well. 

Further, the pick is about TIMING between the ballhandler and the picker.  If either party is off in their timing, it can throw the entire play off.  Instead of calling out Rondo, I'd call out both players.

  I think that, by far, the biggest problem on picks is the players using the pick (not necessarily Rondo) don't get close enough to the pick. The defender has room to go right past the player (usually Perk or Davis) and they try and slide out or lean out enough to catch the defender. It's usually not that they never get set but that they get set and then move.

[fairweatherfan]

I disagree with the OP. Rondo had a pretty good game, and passed very well. A lot of the points are just nitpicking. Rondo slowing down to get the poster?

If you look at what Ray did, you'll understand that you HAVE to try and dunk it, because if you lay it up, Lebron will DEFINITELY get it. I think it's a sign that ROndo learned, because a week ago, he tried to go off glass and Lebron killed them. Same reason why Cliff Lee in the playoffs laid it up, got blocked, and on the next fast break possession dunked it instead.

As for boxing out, there is absolutely no need to box out as a point guard against a guard that doesn't stay for the rebound. Once the shot goes in the air, Mo is already running back on D. This allows for Rondo to sneak between big men and grab a board, something that's extremely effective as you can see by his stats.

I think Rondo had a good game, and it's hard to complain about that. Simply nitpicking, you can do it to every player, and I just think for the sake of the fact that he wants money, it's been targetted at Rondo and it's a little unfair.

No, I mostly agree with you - Rondo had a very good game overall; his rebounding was also excellent as usual.  I don't agree with the thread title by any means.  But he still is making some dumb plays out there.  It was more things like the attempted dunk on LeBron, and trying to toss in a layup over Shaq after that huge rebound he got with 1:30 left that annoyed me more than anything else.  Don't want to sound like I'm hating on him, it's just that Rondo's got enough talent where if he cuts the mental mistakes down to a minimum he'll be a top-5 point guard.  We're gonna need a lot from him this year.

[nickagneta]

I disagree with the OP. Rondo had a pretty good game, and passed very well. A lot of the points are just nitpicking. Rondo slowing down to get the poster?

If you look at what Ray did, you'll understand that you HAVE to try and dunk it, because if you lay it up, Lebron will DEFINITELY get it. I think it's a sign that ROndo learned, because a week ago, he tried to go off glass and Lebron killed them. Same reason why Cliff Lee in the playoffs laid it up, got blocked, and on the next fast break possession dunked it instead.

As for boxing out, there is absolutely no need to box out as a point guard against a guard that doesn't stay for the rebound. Once the shot goes in the air, Mo is already running back on D. This allows for Rondo to sneak between big men and grab a board, something that's extremely effective as you can see by his stats.

I think Rondo had a good game, and it's hard to complain about that. Simply nitpicking, you can do it to every player, and I just think for the sake of the fact that he wants money, it's been targetted at Rondo and it's a little unfair.

No, I mostly agree with you - Rondo had a very good game overall; his rebounding was also excellent as usual.  I don't agree with the thread title by any means.  But he still is making some dumb plays out there.  It was more things like the attempted dunk on LeBron, and trying to toss in a layup over Shaq after that huge rebound he got with 1:30 left that annoyed me more than anything else.  Don't want to sound like I'm hating on him, it's just that Rondo's got enough talent where if he cuts the mental mistakes down to a minimum he'll be a top-5 point guard.  We're gonna need a lot from him this year.

I'm going to give Rondo 2-3 stupid plays a game because he is only 23 years old. Yeah, he's a 4 year vet now but we forget just how young he is as a PG starting for the best starting five in the league. I have less problem with that rebound and attempted layin late as that is shear emotion and adrenalin working at that point as I do the second of his turnovers where he drove to the basket, jumped himself behind the basket and had nowhere to go with the ball once he was in the air.

THAT, he should have learned to stop by now. Dribble through to the other side and watch your man and the defense move back to their assigned men and see that a quick turnaround jumper from 5-8 feet will be wide open for you every time Rondo. You were doing that most of late last year. Don't fall back on old habits now.

[2short]

tommy pt for salmon  & mashed, full agreement
rondo doesn't have a contract yet cuz its business, his agent and danny have to work it out

[huzy]

I think expecting a player with Rondo's athletic capability to play a completely fundementally sound game is unrealistic.

The same reason many NBA players are in the league is their reason for not playing within the fundementals. Their athletic ability allows them to play outside of those contraints.

I'm as much of a stickler as anyone else, as I'm a coach. However, What alot of players (Rondo included) lack in fundementals, they compensate for in ability.

I can understand the frustration of not seeing the game played "the right way." But I think expecting guys of this level of strength, quickness and ability to play like the HIckory Hoosiers just isn't related. The NBA is a very different game than the "motion offense, pass and screen away" world of high school and college hoops.
 

[Eja117]

I agree Rondo's game isn't perfect and still needs work, but he's younger than Lester Hudson and I don't think that's why he doesn't have a new contract.

I think it has way more to do with money

[MrTripleDouble10]

Yawn.  Another long thread criticizing Rondo.  It must be Wednesday.  Although tomorrow is Thursday so I'm sure we'll see this again.  And Friday, etc...

[BballTim]

I disagree with the OP. Rondo had a pretty good game, and passed very well. A lot of the points are just nitpicking. Rondo slowing down to get the poster?

If you look at what Ray did, you'll understand that you HAVE to try and dunk it, because if you lay it up, Lebron will DEFINITELY get it. I think it's a sign that ROndo learned, because a week ago, he tried to go off glass and Lebron killed them. Same reason why Cliff Lee in the playoffs laid it up, got blocked, and on the next fast break possession dunked it instead.

As for boxing out, there is absolutely no need to box out as a point guard against a guard that doesn't stay for the rebound. Once the shot goes in the air, Mo is already running back on D. This allows for Rondo to sneak between big men and grab a board, something that's extremely effective as you can see by his stats.

I think Rondo had a good game, and it's hard to complain about that. Simply nitpicking, you can do it to every player, and I just think for the sake of the fact that he wants money, it's been targetted at Rondo and it's a little unfair.

No, I mostly agree with you - Rondo had a very good game overall; his rebounding was also excellent as usual.  I don't agree with the thread title by any means.  But he still is making some dumb plays out there.  It was more things like the attempted dunk on LeBron, and trying to toss in a layup over Shaq after that huge rebound he got with 1:30 left that annoyed me more than anything else.  Don't want to sound like I'm hating on him, it's just that Rondo's got enough talent where if he cuts the mental mistakes down to a minimum he'll be a top-5 point guard.  We're gonna need a lot from him this year.

  I wouldn't really criticize him for the dunk attempt. It's not like LeBron was waiting under the basket for him. I think the better play might have been to lay it in and try and get a foul when LeBron went after it. It was a pretty amazing play by LeBron.

[fairweatherfan]

No, I mostly agree with you - Rondo had a very good game overall; his rebounding was also excellent as usual.  I don't agree with the thread title by any means.  But he still is making some dumb plays out there.  It was more things like the attempted dunk on LeBron, and trying to toss in a layup over Shaq after that huge rebound he got with 1:30 left that annoyed me more than anything else.  Don't want to sound like I'm hating on him, it's just that Rondo's got enough talent where if he cuts the mental mistakes down to a minimum he'll be a top-5 point guard.  We're gonna need a lot from him this year.

  I wouldn't really criticize him for the dunk attempt. It's not like LeBron was waiting under the basket for him. I think the better play might have been to lay it in and try and get a foul when LeBron went after it. It was a pretty amazing play by LeBron.

It's more that he appeared (to me; I could be wrong) to know he was coming and tried to make the spectacular play instead of going under the rim for a reverse layup, and that he's challenged LeBron multiple times before on fastbreaks, and they never ended well either.  LeBron's done it enough times that guys should be looking for him out there, and he's done it enough times to Rondo specifically that Rondo should be taking a different approach.

[lighthouse]

Your coach wouldn't bench anyone, even after they broke most of his rules, if they had the ability Rondo has. He could work on the small things, but so could most NBA players believe it or not. And Rondo does the most important things extremely well.

Like other posters said if you watch a game and look for things that weren't done perfectly, a lot of players would be on your coaches bench.

Last night I saw an open Kobe throw a pass to Bynum, in the paint, after staring him down for 4 seconds. As soon as Bynum caught it he was whistled for 3 seconds. your coach might say kobe has little court awareness/iq and deserves a seat on the bench...but everyone misses small things sometimes. So...thats no reason to say "thats why Rondo doesn't have a contract."

I have a feeling every time Rondo has a bad game, or misses a couple jump shots, some people on here will say "See!? he doesn't deserve big money!" Thats not right. Thats not what I want him to hear because I don't want him to try and put up big numbers for money and hurt our chemistry.

Lastly, I'm glad his contract won't be worked out yet. Lets see him play some more before we bring out the check book. lets see if his shot actually improving before giving him top 5 pg cash. If he plays well and we succeed as a team I'd be happy giving it to him. I'm glad he's our point gaurd. Besides CP3,DWill, and maybe DRose who else would you want?

[GKC]

No, I mostly agree with you - Rondo had a very good game overall; his rebounding was also excellent as usual.  I don't agree with the thread title by any means.  But he still is making some dumb plays out there.  It was more things like the attempted dunk on LeBron, and trying to toss in a layup over Shaq after that huge rebound he got with 1:30 left that annoyed me more than anything else.  Don't want to sound like I'm hating on him, it's just that Rondo's got enough talent where if he cuts the mental mistakes down to a minimum he'll be a top-5 point guard.  We're gonna need a lot from him this year.

  I wouldn't really criticize him for the dunk attempt. It's not like LeBron was waiting under the basket for him. I think the better play might have been to lay it in and try and get a foul when LeBron went after it. It was a pretty amazing play by LeBron.

It's more that he appeared (to me; I could be wrong) to know he was coming and tried to make the spectacular play instead of going under the rim for a reverse layup, and that he's challenged LeBron multiple times before on fastbreaks, and they never ended well either.  LeBron's done it enough times that guys should be looking for him out there, and he's done it enough times to Rondo specifically that Rondo should be taking a different approach.

Um, isn't it worse to layup? Lebron has proven that he will kill the layup, and the dunk attempt seems safer because you could get a foul out of it, since dunks are much harder to block, and would have more contact involved (where Lebrons involved).

Remember, Ray Allen did the SAME THING. It's not as if he's getting criticized for it

[Brickowski]

Rondo is an unconventional player, which is one reason why he's so effective. But yes, he makes mistakes.  So does everyone.

I'm old enough to remember when HS and college coaches used to tell their players, "I don't want you to play like Cousy.  If you start trying to throw those behind the back and no look passes you're headed right to the bench."  LOL

[Chris]

Rondo is an unconventional player, which is one reason why he's so effective. But yes, he makes mistakes.  So does everyone.

I'm old enough to remember when HS and college coaches used to tell their players, "I don't want you to play like Cousy.  If you start trying to throw those behind the back and no look passes you're headed right to the bench."  LOL

HS coaches don't still say that?  I know if I was a HS coach, I would bench a kid immediately if he tried to pull that stuff...well, unless he could REALLY pull it off. 

[Brickowski]

Rondo is an unconventional player, which is one reason why he's so effective. But yes, he makes mistakes.  So does everyone.

I'm old enough to remember when HS and college coaches used to tell their players, "I don't want you to play like Cousy.  If you start trying to throw those behind the back and no look passes you're headed right to the bench."  LOL

HS coaches don't still say that?  I know if I was a HS coach, I would bench a kid immediately if he tried to pull that stuff...well, unless he could REALLY pull it off. 

Well, that's the thing.  Cousy pulled it off, and so does Rondo (most of the time).