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

[CoachBo]

I see definite improvement in effort and ball security. The defense is about the same, above average but the talent is there to be better.

Don't know that there's enough of a sample base to judge shooting or fouls, but I don't see a whole lot different there yet.

Good improvement - thus far. I want to see the same effort for a prolonged period of time, though.

[kozlodoev]

If RR's agent wants him to be paid as a top 5 PG in the league, this means a salary starting at 60 million for 5 years.

I think the club will pull a trigger for anything that's in the 50-55 range over 5 years, but 12-14 million (on average!) per season is pushing it.

[BballTim]

I would go with dominating again last night.  The left handed pass across court to PP was a thing of beauty.  He's making a case for the max.  

unless the PG is named Magic or Paul I would never pay a PG max.  They just aren't worth it.

Oscar? In his prime Jason Kidd? West? Cous? Pete Maravich? Stockton?

I smell the exaggeration train coming in.

  I'd have given the max to Isiah.

  While I'm probably alone in this I'd never give that to Stockton. I never saw him as a "put the team on his back and carry them in crunch time" kind of player.

[moiso]

Wow, I just watched the game on dvr and walked away thinking how lucky we are to have a point guard who understands the game like Rondo.  I mean, most teams have Felton/Augustin types that don't really know how to play the point.  I was very impressed with Rondo's court awareness in that game.  Then I went upstairs and turned on the computer, and I see a Rondo bashing thread.  Wow.  Thats not what I expected after that game.  11 assists and 1 turnover.  I thought he was great.

[Bahku]

Wow, I just watched the game on dvr and walked away thinking how lucky we are to have a point guard who understands the game like Rondo.  I mean, most teams have Felton/Augustin types that don't really know how to play the point.  I was very impressed with Rondo's court awareness in that game.  Then I went upstairs and turned on the computer, and I see a Rondo bashing thread.  Wow.  Thats not what I expected after that game.  11 assists and 1 turnover.  I thought he was great.

Yeah ... I agree, Moiso ... I've been complaining about Rajon not penetrating the paint enough or attacking the basket while KG is on the floor, but in these first two games he's doing it extremely well, and it makes this team as a whole so much more effective, with a more fluid offense and a stronger defense. I'm lovin' it!

[nickagneta]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

[Drucci]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

Totally agree with you. Rondo's impact is way more important than what stats show (and so far they are pretty good).

It may be linked to the fact that Eddie's running on the point with the second unit isn't his strength at all. I know Marquis does it too, and pretty well, but still, none of them has the vision that Rondo has. I mean, the play last night where he had the ball, looked to the paint and talked to KG to make the defenders think he was going to get him the ball before throwing it to Pierce on the right corner to shoot - and hit - a 3 was just one of the pure moments of awesomeness I cheered about.

Although I'm a little worried that the situation could work out badly next summer, I'm glad that Rondo's got to show more consistency and focus this season in order to get a big contract. It will play for the best of our team.

Plus, I was even more happy to see Rondo enjoy his time on the bench with his teammates : he feels good here, and you could have some doubts about that after the summer stories about him.

[Birdbrain]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

You mean off the court?

[BudweiserCeltic]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

True, but when Rondo is on the floor... who is he playing with? He's almost exclusively in there with the starters.

Do we have a real backup PG to really compare? Nope.

Is there a "we're used to Rondo running our offense" component to consider also? I think so.

[fairweatherfan]

I would go with dominating again last night.  The left handed pass across court to PP was a thing of beauty.  He's making a case for the max.  

unless the PG is named Magic or Paul I would never pay a PG max.  They just aren't worth it.

Oscar? In his prime Jason Kidd? West? Cous? Pete Maravich? Stockton?

I smell the exaggeration train coming in.

  I'd have given the max to Isiah.

  While I'm probably alone in this I'd never give that to Stockton. I never saw him as a "put the team on his back and carry them in crunch time" kind of player.

Gotta defend my guy here - Stockton was the master of the pullup 3 in transition in big moments.  It was the shot that won the WCF for them in 97.  He also hit the series winning jumper with <1 second left in Game 5 of the first round against Sacramento in '99.  And it wasn't a coincidence that the final shot was designed for him and not Malone in Game 6 of the 98 Finals (he missed it, but he was the guy they wanted taking it).  Not to mention all the perfect passes he threw to others in big moments.

His stats were partly a product of Utah's system, but the man was clutch by any definition.

[nickagneta]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

You mean off the court?

Confusing me there Double B. What are you asking?

[nickagneta]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

Totally agree with you. Rondo's impact is way more important than what stats show (and so far they are pretty good).

It may be linked to the fact that Eddie's running on the point with the second unit isn't his strength at all. I know Marquis does it too, and pretty well, but still, none of them has the vision that Rondo has. I mean, the play last night where he had the ball, looked to the paint and talked to KG to make the defenders think he was going to get him the ball before throwing it to Pierce on the right corner to shoot - and hit - a 3 was just one of the pure moments of awesomeness I cheered about.

Although I'm a little worried that the situation could work out badly next summer, I'm glad that Rondo's got to show more consistency and focus this season in order to get a big contract. It will play for the best of our team.

Plus, I was even more happy to see Rondo enjoy his time on the bench with his teammates : he feels good here, and you could have some doubts about that after the summer stories about him.

Okay, another is it just me moment here, or =except for the second quarter of the Cleveland game has Ray Allen been almost exclusively playing the point guard position on the second team these first two games? And quite badly, I must say.

[fairweatherfan]

Edited for redundancy w/BB's post below:

Rondo had a great game last night - if he keeps it up we'll be very difficult to stop.  I wish this discussion could go to a different thread cause I hate seeing this title keep popping up.

[Birdbrain]

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court? There appears to be more defensive pressure on the other team's point, more steals, and more deflected passes. And offensively, both in the half court and the fast break, the team seems to get the shot they want a lot better and aren't trying to beat the shot clock as much and taking better, less contested shots.

I just think that for all the stats, my observations as to how this team runs when Rondo is there as opposed to when he isn't is rather a large difference and should be factored into any discussion about his importance to this team besides any stats, which are usually pretty [dang] good.

You mean off the court?

Confusing me there Double B. What are you asking?

In your first sentence

Is it just me or is this Celtic team just a completely different, and not for the better, team when Rondo is on the court?

I think you meant to say off the court.  I was just clarifying to totally agree with your premise.

[nickagneta]

Ahhh!! TPS guys. Yeah, that's what I meant.