A franchise PG that shoots 53 percent FT's will not pan out

[SCBirdman]

I liked Rondo as a young player. I know he is still young, but to be an $11 million dollar a year PG and to shoot as poorly as he does from the FT line is totally unacceptable. The only player that makes $11 mill per year that can shoot 52 percent FT's is a 7-footer, not your starting PG on a Championship caliber team.

Rondo needs to spend more time shooting FT's instead of skateboarding and blogging. Post Big 3 if Rondo is still shooting 53 percent, the C's will fall off the NBA map as far as being a relevant team goes.

[Kiorrik]

He blogs again?

He skateboards?

Hmm... I only knew of him rollerskating. Weird.

[nickagneta]

I liked Rondo as a young player. I know he is still young, but to be an $11 million dollar a year PG and to shoot as poorly as he does from the FT line is totally unacceptable. The only player that makes $11 mill per year that can shoot 52 percent FT's is a 7-footer, not your starting PG on a Championship caliber team.

Rondo needs to spend more time shooting FT's instead of skateboarding and blogging. Post Big 3 if Rondo is still shooting 53 percent, the C's will fall off the NBA map as far as being a relevant team goes.

I think you might be over reacting just a bit.

Rondo is indeed a bad free throw shooter but he brings so much other stuff to the table that he easily justifies his contract. A contract that, by the way, doesn't even start until next year when he'll start making $9 million that year. He led the team in rebounding, 13 to be exact, and assists against the Magic on Christmas Day!!! How many 6 foot PGs can do that as often as he does?

I do agree he has to work on his free throw shooting but the dude is a human being and if he wants to skateboard or blog or Twitter or live the life of a rich young man, he's should. I don't think he has to work on his free throw 24/7 just to make me happy.

[Kiorrik]

I liked Rondo as a young player. I know he is still young, but to be an $11 million dollar a year PG and to shoot as poorly as he does from the FT line is totally unacceptable. The only player that makes $11 mill per year that can shoot 52 percent FT's is a 7-footer, not your starting PG on a Championship caliber team.

Rondo needs to spend more time shooting FT's instead of skateboarding and blogging. Post Big 3 if Rondo is still shooting 53 percent, the C's will fall off the NBA map as far as being a relevant team goes.

I think you might be over reacting just a bit.

Rondo is indeed a bad free throw shooter but he brings so much other stuff to the table that he easily justifies his contract. A contract that, by the way, doesn't even start until next year when he'll start making $9 million that year. He led the team in rebounding, 13 to be exact, and assists against the Magic on Christmas Day!!! How many 6 foot PGs can do that as often as he does?

I do agree he has to work on his free throw shooting but the dude is a human being and if he wants to skateboard or blog or Twitter or live the life of a rich young man, he's should. I don't think he has to work on his free throw 24/7 just to make me happy.

I totally agree with Nick here.

... 'cept For that last line there.

*cracks whip*

[Chief]

Telfair is shooting 78% FT for his career. I'd much rather have him. 

[BballTim]

Telfair is shooting 78% FT for his career. I'd much rather have him. 

  Yes, but we couldn't afford the $12M-$15M a 78% ft shooting pg would command.

[BballTim]

I liked Rondo as a young player. I know he is still young, but to be an $11 million dollar a year PG and to shoot as poorly as he does from the FT line is totally unacceptable. The only player that makes $11 mill per year that can shoot 52 percent FT's is a 7-footer, not your starting PG on a Championship caliber team.

  Just curious, but are you saying that Rondo can't be a starting pg on a championship team because of his poor ft shooting?

[cdif911]

Telfair is shooting 78% FT for his career. I'd much rather have him. 

ooh ooh, Darrick Martin was an 84% career FT shooter, he led many title teams

[GreenFaith1819]

I liked Rondo as a young player. I know he is still young, but to be an $11 million dollar a year PG and to shoot as poorly as he does from the FT line is totally unacceptable. The only player that makes $11 mill per year that can shoot 52 percent FT's is a 7-footer, not your starting PG on a Championship caliber team.

  Just curious, but are you saying that Rondo can't be a starting pg on a championship team because of his poor ft shooting?

Good Point, BballTim..I was thinking same thing...2007-2008?

[GreenFaith1819]

Last night's loss was frustrating, but knowing Rondo he will get better and come back with a vengeance tonight. I'd hate to be GSW.

My critique of Rondo stops there, though. IMO, we lost as a Team last night. I did not see the game, but how in the world can we go from stopping Rashard Lewis for three qtrs and forcing him into a 5-14 night and slowing down Dwight as well to letting Kaman have a field day?

And Sheed?? Come on man you were 4-18? At least Sheed is tech-less for last few games now. Still love him on our team.

I gess that the Refs played a small part, too. Poster Brickowski had a very interesting thread during the game last night..about point spreads and all...

I guess that taking the good from the loss is better for me. TA had a double-double and Glen is playing better each game.

[thirstyboots18]

Rondo has learned and improved every year.  I have a feeling Rondo is working on his free throws as we speak.  Sometimes it takes a failure to spur you on to greater success.  Rondo, and the team, will be ok.

[MBz]

I think some of the blame needs to go on Doc too.  That was a TERRIBLE play call for the end of the game.  Knowing that Rondo is so bad for the line, it doesn't make any sense.  The clippers know that Rondo is bad from the line too, of course youre going to foul if he gets  by you.  They have one of the greatest shooters of all time on the floor in Ray Allen.  ALmost every game winning shot should be set up for him.  We've seen how clutch he is, the play needs to be drawn up for him.  I'm especially tired of the Pierce isolation play at the end of games.  Regardless, Rondo does need to improve his free throwing shooting to at least 65-70% its flat out embarrassing he can't shoot at that percentage.

[vinnie]

All I can say is I love everyone defending Rondo and his 53 percent free throw shooting. The OP is right: 53 percent free throw shooting is not acceptable for a starting point guard. And FYI, while not much better, during the championship season he shot 61 percent from the line and last year he was 64 percent from the line. So why the decline? Don't most players improve their free throw shooting over their career? The other thing I like is the way posters are distorting the issue. No one, I don't think, is saying get rid of Rondo and get a bad point guard who can shoot free throws. What most of us are saying is that 53 percent is totally unacceptable and it probably will hurt this team a few more times this year and maybe in the playoffs.

[GreenFaith1819]

Rondo will be fine. I don't really think anyone is accepting his 53% shooting, though. He'll get better.

I have even chatted with a few Laker Fans and they have said that with the Celtics-Lakers matching up man for man, LA will have problems with Rondo.

I'll take Rondo behind door number 18 (and 19?) please

[vinnie]

Rondo will be fine. I don't really think anyone is accepting his 53% shooting, though. He'll get better.

I have even chatted with a few Laker Fans and they have said that with the Celtics-Lakers matching up man for man, LA will have problems with Rondo.

I'll take Rondo behind door number 18 (and 19?) please

Everyone keeps saying Rondo's free throw shooting will get better, yet he is down 11 percentage points from last year and down 8 percentage points from the championship year. I hope everyone is right, but I am concerned that this is one of those mental things that will be difficult for him to correct.