Paul is currently a star. But I don't do this trade because Rondo is a consistant 15-18 foot jump shot away from being a star as well and maybe the second best PG in the league.
I say have patience with Rondo's shot. He's as good if not a better defender, rebounder, passer and floor general as Paul without the need for having to be a scorer as well, which I happen to like better than the shoot first mentality of some PGs.
I look at it this way, if Rondo can hit his 15-18 footers at a 45% consistency level in two years, he's almost Paul's equal so then the trade comes down to Ray, Scal, a 1st, a 2nd and cash for Peja, Arthur and Hadadi and that is a ridiculously stupid trade, IMO.
I agree ... but I also would say no because he's in the same arrogant, "Me-Me", NBA-stroking club as LBJ and Kobe. I know it's one of those irrational dislike things, but I just can't stand the guy. I love Rondo's energy and willingness to grow, and his love is for his team first, at least that's my feeling. CP3 loves CP3 ... and that's not what the Celtics are about.
Yeah pretty much 100% agreeance with both of your posts. Lots of stats and lots of losses. Rondo is the type of PG I prefer to root for. I know he can't shoot a 15 ft jumper ... but, since he's a PG I really don't care.
NO record since Paul joined is 198-162 in the regular season.
That seems like a lot more wins the loses.
And when did he suddenly become a "me" player? What did he do?
As far as I have seen, he has made players like Chandler and West play above themselves.
Is it his fault the team built around him was so fragile and mismanged?
As for Rondo vs. Paul, come on. I love Rondo. I think he is one of the top PGs in the league. Paul is the top PG in the league.
It is like saying in DC "I am not going to trade Butler for Lebron because if Butler just gets better at (I don't care, you can fill in any skill you want here) he will almost be as good as Lebron."
I happen to think your Butler/LeBron comparison doesn't stand the test.
Rondo is as good if not a better defensive PG as Paul.
Rondo is as good if not a better rebounder than Paul.
Rondo is as good a floor general as Paul.
Rondo is as good a passer as Paul.
Rondo is probably a more consistent and dynamic penetrator as Paul.
Paul is the much better FT shooter, three point shooter and outside shooter.
If Rondo improves his shooting, which he recently has shown signs of doing, and get to be a mediocre outside shooter, he will be probably the second best to third best PG in the league. Almost as good a PG as Paul. Of all the skills that can be improved by players long term, shooting is the easiest to improve on, besides defense.
2 years from now I could see Rondo being one of the three best PGs in the league. I don't think he'll ever be as good as Paul, with that I agree with. But at his salary and with his experiences, I'ld rather have Rondo if it means giving up Ray to get him.
I liken the comparison more to would you trade Ray, Kevin Durant and Thabo Sefolosha, a 1st and a 2nd and cash to Cleveland for LeBron, Darnell Jackson, and Jawad Williams? Yes, LeBron is better than Durant and the best at his position but with some improvement Durant will be amongst the 2-3 best SFs in the game and close to LeBron. So do you trade Ray, Thabo picks and cash for Darnell Jackson and Jawad Williams if you think in a couple years Durant will be almost LeBron's equal, but not quite?
That's the way I see it.