Hack-A-Rondo

[vinnie]

Wonder how many teams will start putting Rondo at the line at the end of close games now? He played a nice game tonight, but his inability to make free throws  2-5 and a little better than 50 percent from the line for the season is a killer.

[Change]

After this expect it all the time. its a weapon if teams time it correctly.

[Kiorrik]

After this expect it all the time. its a weapon if teams time it correctly.

I sincerely hope they do, so he can improve his FT shooting.

The best way to practice freethrow shooting while under heavy stress, is by freethrow shooting under heavy stress.

[twinbree]

Yeah it'll definitely be something to watch out for. Better he learns to deal with it now than in the playoffs.

[ajgoodman]

This post now feels a little out of place:

Disregarding COMPLETELY Rajon's choke a few night's ago at the free throw line, I firmly stand and believe that Rajon Rondo should not have the ball in his hands for final shots.  I noticed that whenever the clock is winding down for the shot-clock, quarter, or anything, Rondo has the tendency to stand around with the ball until the clock runs down and then try and be a one-man show, often resulting in on of his Tony Allen-esque ugly running hook shots.  With three Hall of Fame notorious offensively clutch players, especially Ray and Paul who are known for their heroics, shouldn't the offense be run through one or all three of them?  Despite one's argument that "Rondo needs to become accustomed to pressure situations," we aren't the 2007 Celtics who need to be wasting time coaxing young players.  We need to be focusing on winning basketball games, not grooming Rajon for post Big 3 years.  There's no reason why Rondo should freeze his teammates out of the offense in late-game situations, in fact, he should be deferring to the most talented offensive players on the floor. Rondo can become very used late game situations without always being the one to take the final shot.  I've seen too many Paul Pierce and Ray Allen buzzer beaters to accept Rondo calling his own number and trying to be the hero.  Agree or disagree?

[moiso]

I don't mind Rondo getting the ball on occasion in those situations, but it seems like he takes the last shot EVERY time.  I wonder if they tell him to try to create something and shoot if he has to, but he seems to shoot in that situation every time.  I guess I agree that we should run some plays for Paul and Ray in these situations.

[Slugger]

This post now feels a little out of place:

Disregarding COMPLETELY Rajon's choke a few night's ago at the free throw line, I firmly stand and believe that Rajon Rondo should not have the ball in his hands for final shots.  I noticed that whenever the clock is winding down for the shot-clock, quarter, or anything, Rondo has the tendency to stand around with the ball until the clock runs down and then try and be a one-man show, often resulting in on of his Tony Allen-esque ugly running hook shots.  With three Hall of Fame notorious offensively clutch players, especially Ray and Paul who are known for their heroics, shouldn't the offense be run through one or all three of them?  Despite one's argument that "Rondo needs to become accustomed to pressure situations," we aren't the 2007 Celtics who need to be wasting time coaxing young players.  We need to be focusing on winning basketball games, not grooming Rajon for post Big 3 years.  There's no reason why Rondo should freeze his teammates out of the offense in late-game situations, in fact, he should be deferring to the most talented offensive players on the floor. Rondo can become very used late game situations without always being the one to take the final shot.  I've seen too many Paul Pierce and Ray Allen buzzer beaters to accept Rondo calling his own number and trying to be the hero.  Agree or disagree?

TP my man.  Completely agree.  To be honest, i dont think he should be on the floor with the game on the line ( Let me clarify this by saying out of a time-out when a final play is to be drawn up).

He simply is not going to create a good enough play in a halfcourt set.  Nor is he a good enough shooter should Paul or Ray be doubled.

Any final set play should involve Ray flashing off double screens, with a player like House flaring out to the 3 point line, and KG at the top of the circle.

[zerophase]

This post now feels a little out of place:

Disregarding COMPLETELY Rajon's choke a few night's ago at the free throw line, I firmly stand and believe that Rajon Rondo should not have the ball in his hands for final shots.  I noticed that whenever the clock is winding down for the shot-clock, quarter, or anything, Rondo has the tendency to stand around with the ball until the clock runs down and then try and be a one-man show, often resulting in on of his Tony Allen-esque ugly running hook shots.  With three Hall of Fame notorious offensively clutch players, especially Ray and Paul who are known for their heroics, shouldn't the offense be run through one or all three of them?  Despite one's argument that "Rondo needs to become accustomed to pressure situations," we aren't the 2007 Celtics who need to be wasting time coaxing young players.  We need to be focusing on winning basketball games, not grooming Rajon for post Big 3 years.  There's no reason why Rondo should freeze his teammates out of the offense in late-game situations, in fact, he should be deferring to the most talented offensive players on the floor. Rondo can become very used late game situations without always being the one to take the final shot.  I've seen too many Paul Pierce and Ray Allen buzzer beaters to accept Rondo calling his own number and trying to be the hero.  Agree or disagree?

TP my man.  Completely agree.  To be honest, i dont think he should be on the floor with the game on the line ( Let me clarify this by saying out of a time-out when a final play is to be drawn up).

He simply is not going to create a good enough play in a halfcourt set.  Nor is he a good enough shooter should Paul or Ray be doubled.

Any final set play should involve Ray flashing off double screens, with a player like House flaring out to the 3 point line, and KG at the top of the circle.

it's unfortunate when a guard cannot shoot better than a pf... i think has potential though for the future to make the free throws. his form is looking better and we all know that right now it's a point of emphasis for him so he won't end his career like shaq.

[Slugger]

This post now feels a little out of place:

Disregarding COMPLETELY Rajon's choke a few night's ago at the free throw line, I firmly stand and believe that Rajon Rondo should not have the ball in his hands for final shots.  I noticed that whenever the clock is winding down for the shot-clock, quarter, or anything, Rondo has the tendency to stand around with the ball until the clock runs down and then try and be a one-man show, often resulting in on of his Tony Allen-esque ugly running hook shots.  With three Hall of Fame notorious offensively clutch players, especially Ray and Paul who are known for their heroics, shouldn't the offense be run through one or all three of them?  Despite one's argument that "Rondo needs to become accustomed to pressure situations," we aren't the 2007 Celtics who need to be wasting time coaxing young players.  We need to be focusing on winning basketball games, not grooming Rajon for post Big 3 years.  There's no reason why Rondo should freeze his teammates out of the offense in late-game situations, in fact, he should be deferring to the most talented offensive players on the floor. Rondo can become very used late game situations without always being the one to take the final shot.  I've seen too many Paul Pierce and Ray Allen buzzer beaters to accept Rondo calling his own number and trying to be the hero.  Agree or disagree?

TP my man.  Completely agree.  To be honest, i dont think he should be on the floor with the game on the line ( Let me clarify this by saying out of a time-out when a final play is to be drawn up).

He simply is not going to create a good enough play in a halfcourt set.  Nor is he a good enough shooter should Paul or Ray be doubled.

Any final set play should involve Ray flashing off double screens, with a player like House flaring out to the 3 point line, and KG at the top of the circle.

it's unfortunate when a guard cannot shoot better than a pf... i think has potential though for the future to make the free throws. his form is looking better and we all know that right now it's a point of emphasis for him so he won't end his career like shaq.

It is definately unfortunate, alas, it is what it is.

Until he shows that he can shoot his freebies, and hit an open jumper, i dont think he should be out there for the final play.

This is not just a knee-jerk reaction of the Clippers game, but something that we have constantly seen over the past 3 or so years.

[BballTim]

Wonder how many teams will start putting Rondo at the line at the end of close games now? He played a nice game tonight, but his inability to make free throws  2-5 and a little better than 50 percent from the line for the season is a killer.

  What's the thinking on this? That 28 nba coaches never thought of fouling the worst free throw shooter on the other team? That none of them were aware of Rondo's struggles at the line this year? If they weren't all putting him at the line before, why would they now? Because they never considered the strategy?

[moiso]

Wonder how many teams will start putting Rondo at the line at the end of close games now? He played a nice game tonight, but his inability to make free throws  2-5 and a little better than 50 percent from the line for the season is a killer.

  What's the thinking on this? That 28 nba coaches never thought of fouling the worst free throw shooter on the other team? That none of them were aware of Rondo's struggles at the line this year? If they weren't all putting him at the line before, why would they now? Because they never considered the strategy?

I'm sure it has been considered but I'm sure Rondo's deer in headlights look isn't going to help the situation in the future.  He looked like he was going to poop his pants.

[moiso]

It's too bad that shooting isn't a more natural thing for Rondo, because it looks like he is thinking more about his mechanics than the actual shot.  He looks like Chris Dudley out there, thinking about his elbow position more than anything else.  All of his thoughts on his mechanics are going to amplify his problems in crunch time.

[BballTim]

With three Hall of Fame notorious offensively clutch players, especially Ray and Paul who are known for their heroics, shouldn't the offense be run through one or all three of them?  Despite one's argument that "Rondo needs to become accustomed to pressure situations," we aren't the 2007 Celtics who need to be wasting time coaxing young players.  We need to be focusing on winning basketball games, not grooming Rajon for post Big 3 years.

  I agree with parts of your post. I don't really like the way that Rondo hovers around the perimeter late in the shot clock and settles for jumpers instead of drivig in and shooting or kicking the ball out. But while we aren't the 2007 Celtics trying to develop young players (and Rondo doesn't fit into that mold anyways) we're also no longer the 2008 team with a big three that's so good that they can beat most teams on their own. If this team wants to win the title they'll need Rondo to make big plays in the playoffs this year. They may as well start getting him ready now.

[Kiorrik]

It's too bad that shooting isn't a more natural thing for Rondo, because it looks like he is thinking more about his mechanics than the actual shot.  He looks like Chris Dudley out there, thinking about his elbow position more than anything else.  All of his thoughts on his mechanics are going to amplify his problems in crunch time.

That's why he needs experience more than anything else.

[BballTim]

Wonder how many teams will start putting Rondo at the line at the end of close games now? He played a nice game tonight, but his inability to make free throws  2-5 and a little better than 50 percent from the line for the season is a killer.

  What's the thinking on this? That 28 nba coaches never thought of fouling the worst free throw shooter on the other team? That none of them were aware of Rondo's struggles at the line this year? If they weren't all putting him at the line before, why would they now? Because they never considered the strategy?

I'm sure it has been considered but I'm sure Rondo's deer in headlights look isn't going to help the situation in the future.  He looked like he was going to poop his pants.

  Disagree. He missed a couple of free throws. He didn't throw up airballs or hit the backboard a foot over the rim. He didn't look afraid to shoot. He showed in the GS game that he wasn't afraid to shoot late in the game.