Rondo's handles

[cdif911]

has there been an NBA player in history with ballhandling ability like Rondo?  After watching last night's game, I literally saw him do things I've never seen before on any basketball court, AND he did them productively, leading to baskets for teammates or his own offense

I didn't see Cousy play live, and I know he was innovative with the dribble, but this kid is ridiculous - is Rondo the second coming of Cousy, or an even better handler?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKurbdM5Ao8&feature=player_embedded

[BballTim]

  He needs a name for that, like the wrap-around dribble. Did you also see the one where he went halfway behind his back and switched to between his legs? Every game that my wife watches with me there's a couple of plays where I tell her that he might have made that look simple but there's nobody else in the league that does that.

[liam]

has there been an NBA player in history with ballhandling ability like Rondo?  After watching last night's game, I literally saw him do things I've never seen before on any basketball court, AND he did them productively, leading to baskets for teammates or his own offense

I didn't see Cousy play live, and I know he was innovative with the dribble, but this kid is ridiculous - is Rondo the second coming of Cousy, or an even better handler?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKurbdM5Ao8&feature=player_embedded

In Cousy's day that would be a travel. In Cousy's day no one could dribble like they do today. It would have been palming on every dribble. Cousy's hand is always only on top of the ball when he dribbles. If he could've dribble as they do now and they counted assists like they do now, who knows what kind of numbers Bob would've put up. But given the current rules, etc, Rondo he's incredible. I don't think you can compare him to Cousy, because of the big differences in eras.

[cdif911]

and that's the thing - there are AND1 guys who can do some of these moves, but not with real defense on them.  No one in the league has handles like Rondo

I really want to start calling him McHandles...and I don't know why...

[PPTheZodiac]

Rondo never fails to excite me

[cdif911]

has there been an NBA player in history with ballhandling ability like Rondo?  After watching last night's game, I literally saw him do things I've never seen before on any basketball court, AND he did them productively, leading to baskets for teammates or his own offense

I didn't see Cousy play live, and I know he was innovative with the dribble, but this kid is ridiculous - is Rondo the second coming of Cousy, or an even better handler?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKurbdM5Ao8&feature=player_embedded

In Cousy's day that would be a travel. In Cousy's day no one could dribble like they do today. It would have been palming on every dribble. Cousy's hand is always only on top of the ball when he dribbles. If he could've dribble as they do now and they counted assists like they do now, who knows what kind of numbers Bob would've put up. But given the current rules, etc, Rondo he's incredible. I don't think you can compare him to Cousy, because of the big differences in eras.

going further back, there were days that you weren't allowed to dribble at all =)

but I get the point, the ability to handle the ball is easier now thanks to lax rules.  Also player hand sizes may play a role, I wonder how big Cousy's hands are?  Rondos are the size of a baseball glove (which is a reason I think he has trouble with FTs - similar to Shaq)

[incoherent]

Last night, Rondo was by far the best player on the court.   

Anyone notice in the 2nd quarter Rondo was in the zone and Paul got a rebound and tried to lead the break... Rondo was on the sideline waving frantically his hands aka "give me the ball".

Paul went on to do something stupid and threw the ball into Sac's hands.  Rondo gave him a look like, "really? give me the [dang] ball".

[Mr October]

rondo's handle is amazing. Those long arms and big hands are such nice tools. I'm amazed with how his body control control continues to progress from his rookie year.

In so many ways he reminds me of the progression of a young Gary Payton. Now if he can get a shot as nice as Payton's, that would be sick!

[liam]

has there been an NBA player in history with ballhandling ability like Rondo?  After watching last night's game, I literally saw him do things I've never seen before on any basketball court, AND he did them productively, leading to baskets for teammates or his own offense

I didn't see Cousy play live, and I know he was innovative with the dribble, but this kid is ridiculous - is Rondo the second coming of Cousy, or an even better handler?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKurbdM5Ao8&feature=player_embedded

In Cousy's day that would be a travel. In Cousy's day no one could dribble like they do today. It would have been palming on every dribble. Cousy's hand is always only on top of the ball when he dribbles. If he could've dribble as they do now and they counted assists like they do now, who knows what kind of numbers Bob would've put up. But given the current rules, etc, Rondo he's incredible. I don't think you can compare him to Cousy, because of the big differences in eras.

going further back, there were days that you weren't allowed to dribble at all =)

but I get the point, the ability to handle the ball is easier now thanks to lax rules.  Also player hand sizes may play a role, I wonder how big Cousy's hands are?  Rondos are the size of a baseball glove (which is a reason I think he has trouble with FTs - similar to Shaq)

Cousy was 6'1" with long arms and big hands.

[2short]

"cousy was 6'1" with long arms and big hands" and he had calves like few guys I've seen
I think rondo is 2 years away from being an upper realm player, kobe, lebron, bird, magic (really)
cousy & pete maravich come to mind with last nights ball handling
I did feel he was hot dogging it a bit too much though
the behind back wrap i've seen pete do in a game, cooz before my time but the old reels are always great

[Redz]

He did a few dribble fakes last night that were subtle, yet spectacular (and effective).  Just by moving his hand position slightly, in mid-dribble he worked a couple of ankle breakers.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Before watching the replay I thought he had traveled. He fooled me.

[Spicoli]

Rondo is a great ball handler, but Deron Williams is the best ball handler i've ever seen. He routinely does everything that Rondo does with the ball, and then some. I love Rondo, but Williams deserves this honor. He changes direction quicker than anybody.

[buzz]

I give it to Chris Paul, but Rondo rarely gets picked, that's for sure.

Almost all of his TOs are of the lazy/crazy pass variety.

[BballTim]

I give it to Chris Paul, but Rondo rarely gets picked, that's for sure.

Almost all of his TOs are of the lazy/crazy pass variety.

  There probably aren't stats that show this, but I'd guess that a disproportionally large percentage of Rondo's turnovers occur when we are up by more than 10.