Rondo the all-star

[KungPoweChicken]

I think he's playing at a much higher level than Davis and Harris this year.  It's not that close, either.

I definitely agree.

Harris, yes.  With Davis, if you think Rondo has been playing much better, I don't think you've been paying all that much attention to the left coast.  Davis is having an excellent year on both ends for the Clippers; he's scoring more points, and only slightly fewer assists per minute than Rondo.  Rondo is arguably better, but it's not hands down.

Davis is shooting 40% from the field, whereas Rondo is shooting 53%. Davis averages about 2.5 more points a game than Rondo (is that supposed to be a BD selling point?), but BD also takes 4 more shots per game.

[snively]

I think he's playing at a much higher level than Davis and Harris this year.  It's not that close, either.

I definitely agree.

Harris, yes.  With Davis, if you think Rondo has been playing much better, I don't think you've been paying all that much attention to the left coast.  Davis is having an excellent year on both ends for the Clippers; he's scoring more points, and only slightly fewer assists per minute than Rondo.  Rondo is arguably better, but it's not hands down.

Davis is shooting 40% from the field, whereas Rondo is shooting 53%. Davis averages about 2.5 more points a game than Rondo (is that suppose to be a BD selling point?), but BD also takes 4 more shots per game.

Ditto.
Baron's had great games against the Lakers and the Celtics, but he's quite a ways behind Rondo on the season.  He's shooting very poorly from the field and the 3-pt line, and while his boards, assists, a/to and steals have been good, they all track behind Rondo.

Rondo has been better than Davis.  Hands down.

[Bahku]

if rondo is not an all-star this yr then no one is an all-star rondo leads all point guards in the east in assist,fg percentage,steals and double doubles

I think the rest of country is beginning to get an idea of how good Rondo is, but I personally will not be too upset with however the All-Star voting ends up. It's a popularity contest, not a true picture of who actually deserves to be there on merits of their game, stats or contributions.

[kozlodoev]

I think he may also have cracked into the "top 5 point guards" in the league category.   Chris Paul and Deron Williams are better.  Steve Nash is arguably better (not defensively, but Nash is practically flawless on offense)...  Who else is his competition to make that top 5?  I like to consider myself a pretty realistic fan.  I try to avoid being a homer as much as possible.   Right now, I think Rondo might be the 4th best point guard in the NBA (and the 3 ahead of him are all in the Western Conference).  If he keeps up his production, it would be insane for him to miss the allstar team.

I think that's right.  He's probably about on Baron Davis' level right now (arguably better), and has separated himself from guys like Devin Harris.   As mentioned above, Parker and Billups are in the conversation, as well, and Derrick Rose will be for years to come (although his distribution skills need some work.)

When it comes to PGs, it rarely is all about the stats.

In terms of PG being the player on the court to whom you can give the ball to and have trust that he will be able to find the play which makes everyone else on the team better every time, I have Paul, Williams, Nash, Billups and Kidd all ranked ahead of Rondo.

All those players are difference-makers on the court, and they make their teams tick. On the Celtics, it was Pierce who fit that role, and it showed when he had to miss games.

Rondo's defense might put him ahead of some of the players on the list, since he can be a difference-maker defensively -- but he has to stop taking plays off and gambling.

[KungPoweChicken]

I think he may also have cracked into the "top 5 point guards" in the league category.   Chris Paul and Deron Williams are better.  Steve Nash is arguably better (not defensively, but Nash is practically flawless on offense)...  Who else is his competition to make that top 5?  I like to consider myself a pretty realistic fan.  I try to avoid being a homer as much as possible.   Right now, I think Rondo might be the 4th best point guard in the NBA (and the 3 ahead of him are all in the Western Conference).  If he keeps up his production, it would be insane for him to miss the allstar team.

I think that's right.  He's probably about on Baron Davis' level right now (arguably better), and has separated himself from guys like Devin Harris.   As mentioned above, Parker and Billups are in the conversation, as well, and Derrick Rose will be for years to come (although his distribution skills need some work.)

When it comes to PGs, it rarely is all about the stats.

In terms of PG being the player on the court to whom you can give the ball to and have trust that he will be able to find the play which makes everyone else on the team better every time, I have Paul, Williams, Nash, Billups and Kidd all ranked ahead of Rondo.

All those players are difference-makers on the court, and they make their teams tick. On the Celtics, it was Pierce who fit that role, and it showed when he had to miss games.

Rondo's defense might put him ahead of some of the players on the list, since he can be a difference-maker defensively -- but he has to stop taking plays off and gambling.

It wasn't "Pierce's absence". It was the fact that Garnett AND Pierce didn't play (I don't even know if Jordan, himself, could save a Garnett and Pierce-less team).

And Billups and J-kidd, really? Okay, I could buy the J-Kidd bit three or four years ago, but now? Are you serious? And I just don't buy the "Rondo isn't consistent enough shtick". Sure, he has his ups and downs like everyone else. But do you watch hoops outside of the Celtics. Everyone has ups and downs. I constantly see games where J-Kidd and Billups are hardly factors for their teams; not a factor on offense or defense. At least, for Rondo's sake, if his offense isn't "firing on all cylinders," he is a game changer in other aspects.


Also, I might as well say it. Since Pierce "calls the plays," he called a great number against the Heat, in the closing seconds, when he decided to go one on one and throw up and air ball--either that or it was blocked. Point being, your ridiculous notion that Pierce is somehow the scientist or the play maker on the C's offense is absolutely ludicrous.

[Kiorrik]

I still don't know what to make of the all-star game. Obviously, it's there for fans to enjoy seeing their favorite players play - and if your favorite player happens to be named AI, and you want to see *him* play, then I guess that's just fine.

As for me, I'm a fan of Rajon, and I'd like to see him in there because he deserves it. But Rajon isn't the chest-beating, posing, dancing type of superstar. He's the silent assassin, the one that goes into a game, drops 25 points and dishes it 10 times, without all the flash. He lets his moves speak, his game.

Maybe that just lost him a couple hundred thousand votes, because other than not being too celebrative (is that a word?) after a play, he does nothing to be excluded.

[Bankshot]

I still don't know what to make of the all-star game. Obviously, it's there for fans to enjoy seeing their favorite players play - and if your favorite player happens to be named AI, and you want to see *him* play, then I guess that's just fine.

As for me, I'm a fan of Rajon, and I'd like to see him in there because he deserves it. But Rajon isn't the chest-beating, posing, dancing type of superstar. He's the silent assassin, the one that goes into a game, drops 25 points and dishes it 10 times, without all the flash. He lets his moves speak, his game.

Maybe that just lost him a couple hundred thousand votes, because other than not being too celebrative (is that a word?) after a play, he does nothing to be excluded.

It's not ok to vote for someone just because you want to see him play, even though he's not an allstar.  You're supposed to vote for those deserving of an allstar appearance.  If you want to watch you binky play, just watch the regular season games!

[Kiorrik]

I still don't know what to make of the all-star game. Obviously, it's there for fans to enjoy seeing their favorite players play - and if your favorite player happens to be named AI, and you want to see *him* play, then I guess that's just fine.

As for me, I'm a fan of Rajon, and I'd like to see him in there because he deserves it. But Rajon isn't the chest-beating, posing, dancing type of superstar. He's the silent assassin, the one that goes into a game, drops 25 points and dishes it 10 times, without all the flash. He lets his moves speak, his game.

Maybe that just lost him a couple hundred thousand votes, because other than not being too celebrative (is that a word?) after a play, he does nothing to be excluded.

It's not ok to vote for someone just because you want to see him play, even though he's not an allstar.  You're supposed to vote for those deserving of an allstar appearance.  If you want to watch you binky play, just watch the regular season games!

Hehehe you just made a very good point against yourself: you *can't* see Iverson in regular season games

But as it stands now, with "us" voting, they can *expect* us to pick the ones *we* want to see.

And *we*, want to see Iverson.

[Bankshot]

I still don't know what to make of the all-star game. Obviously, it's there for fans to enjoy seeing their favorite players play - and if your favorite player happens to be named AI, and you want to see *him* play, then I guess that's just fine.

As for me, I'm a fan of Rajon, and I'd like to see him in there because he deserves it. But Rajon isn't the chest-beating, posing, dancing type of superstar. He's the silent assassin, the one that goes into a game, drops 25 points and dishes it 10 times, without all the flash. He lets his moves speak, his game.

Maybe that just lost him a couple hundred thousand votes, because other than not being too celebrative (is that a word?) after a play, he does nothing to be excluded.

It's not ok to vote for someone just because you want to see him play, even though he's not an allstar.  You're supposed to vote for those deserving of an allstar appearance.  If you want to watch you binky play, just watch the regular season games!

Hehehe you just made a very good point against yourself: you *can't* see Iverson in regular season games

But as it stands now, with "us" voting, they can *expect* us to pick the ones *we* want to see.

And *we*, want to see Iverson.

Why can't you see Iverson in regular season games?  He played the last game.

[Kiorrik]

Why can't you see Iverson in regular season games?  He played the last game.

Oh dagnabbit, I forgot >_<

Sorry, lack of memory and processing power for me today. I blame being under the weather still.

Anyway, does make the point less strong, but still will suffice: people still want to see more Iverson m8. Can't argue that. They're voting on stars instead of voting on the best player.

[BballTim]

I think he may also have cracked into the "top 5 point guards" in the league category.   Chris Paul and Deron Williams are better.  Steve Nash is arguably better (not defensively, but Nash is practically flawless on offense)...  Who else is his competition to make that top 5?  I like to consider myself a pretty realistic fan.  I try to avoid being a homer as much as possible.   Right now, I think Rondo might be the 4th best point guard in the NBA (and the 3 ahead of him are all in the Western Conference).  If he keeps up his production, it would be insane for him to miss the allstar team.

I think that's right.  He's probably about on Baron Davis' level right now (arguably better), and has separated himself from guys like Devin Harris.   As mentioned above, Parker and Billups are in the conversation, as well, and Derrick Rose will be for years to come (although his distribution skills need some work.)

When it comes to PGs, it rarely is all about the stats.

In terms of PG being the player on the court to whom you can give the ball to and have trust that he will be able to find the play which makes everyone else on the team better every time, I have Paul, Williams, Nash, Billups and Kidd all ranked ahead of Rondo.

All those players are difference-makers on the court, and they make their teams tick. On the Celtics, it was Pierce who fit that role, and it showed when he had to miss games.

Rondo's defense might put him ahead of some of the players on the list, since he can be a difference-maker defensively -- but he has to stop taking plays off and gambling.

It wasn't "Pierce's absence". It was the fact that Garnett AND Pierce didn't play (I don't even know if Jordan, himself, could save a Garnett and Pierce-less team).

  It was also Rondo's hamstring injury. Because Rondo sure didn't make a difference against Orlando on Christmas, did he?

[wdleehi]

I was listening to the Sports Junkies this morning (DC sports talk) and they had Tim Leglar on.


Not only did he say Rondo should be an all star, he said it should be Perk (not Shaq who it likely will be) that backs up Howard on the team.

[wiley]

I think he may also have cracked into the "top 5 point guards" in the league category.   Chris Paul and Deron Williams are better.  Steve Nash is arguably better (not defensively, but Nash is practically flawless on offense)...  Who else is his competition to make that top 5?  I like to consider myself a pretty realistic fan.  I try to avoid being a homer as much as possible.   Right now, I think Rondo might be the 4th best point guard in the NBA (and the 3 ahead of him are all in the Western Conference).  If he keeps up his production, it would be insane for him to miss the allstar team.

I think that's right.  He's probably about on Baron Davis' level right now (arguably better), and has separated himself from guys like Devin Harris.   As mentioned above, Parker and Billups are in the conversation, as well, and Derrick Rose will be for years to come (although his distribution skills need some work.)

When it comes to PGs, it rarely is all about the stats.

In terms of PG being the player on the court to whom you can give the ball to and have trust that he will be able to find the play which makes everyone else on the team better every time, I have Paul, Williams, Nash, Billups and Kidd all ranked ahead of Rondo.

All those players are difference-makers on the court, and they make their teams tick. On the Celtics, it was Pierce who fit that role, and it showed when he had to miss games.

Rondo's defense might put him ahead of some of the players on the list, since he can be a difference-maker defensively -- but he has to stop taking plays off and gambling.

It wasn't "Pierce's absence". It was the fact that Garnett AND Pierce didn't play (I don't even know if Jordan, himself, could save a Garnett and Pierce-less team).

And Billups and J-kidd, really? Okay, I could buy the J-Kidd bit three or four years ago, but now? Are you serious? And I just don't buy the "Rondo isn't consistent enough shtick". Sure, he has his ups and downs like everyone else. But do you watch hoops outside of the Celtics. Everyone has ups and downs. I constantly see games where J-Kidd and Billups are hardly factors for their teams; not a factor on offense or defense. At least, for Rondo's sake, if his offense isn't "firing on all cylinders," he is a game changer in other aspects.


Also, I might as well say it. Since Pierce "calls the plays," he called a great number against the Heat, in the closing seconds, when he decided to go one on one and throw up and air ball--either that or it was blocked. Point being, your ridiculous notion that Pierce is somehow the scientist or the play maker on the C's offense is absolutely ludicrous.

Agree KPC.  Pierce rather forcefully shook off the ultra hot Ray Allen before that awful play....and afterwords he looked like he knew he'd done real bad in not setting Ray up again.  I give him credit for the chagrin, at least, and overall he's limited the mano mano stuff from yesteryear and played wonderfully within the flow...

But what really stood out is the term "difference maker".  I'm shocked that someone considers Kidd and Billups greater difference makers at this point than Rondo.  Difference maker kind of defines Rondo's game imo, and he was making a difference from the beginning of his career, even before the amazing stats/numbers started showing up in his nightly stat sheet.  Basically, Rondo is the greatest passer I've ever watched play basketball (I'm too young to have seen Cousy).  He's up there in Stockton, Kidd, Nash territory.  And passing isn't a stat.  One more time......passing isn't a stat.

[nickagneta]

I was listening to the Sports Junkies this morning (DC sports talk) and they had Tim Leglar on.


Not only did he say Rondo should be an all star, he said it should be Perk (not Shaq who it likely will be) that backs up Howard on the team.

Always liked Legler. Wasn't he like the only ESPN panelist interviewed that picked the Celtics in the Finals a couple years ago?

[Fafnir]

I was listening to the Sports Junkies this morning (DC sports talk) and they had Tim Leglar on.


Not only did he say Rondo should be an all star, he said it should be Perk (not Shaq who it likely will be) that backs up Howard on the team.

Always liked Legler. Wasn't he like the only ESPN panelist interviewed that picked the Celtics in the Finals a couple years ago?

Yeah, he's been pretty high on the current Big 3 all along.