Is Rondo's Defense Overrated?

[PosImpos]

I honestly don't know.  But I'm really wondering that after yet another game when an opposing point guard has a huge, gamebreaking performance against us.  Mo Williams didn't look like he was being bothered too much by Rondo's defense in the 3rd.  I've heard so much about Rondo's great defense, but to my eye it seems to come and go.  Some games he gets a bunch of really awesome steals; other games he lets Mo Williams basically win a game on his own by scoring 10 straight points.

What do you think?  What's the real story on Rondo's defense - overrated or not?

Enlighten me.

[Bahku]

I honestly don't know.  But I'm really wondering that after yet another game when an opposing point guard has a huge, gamebreaking performance against us.  Mo Williams didn't look like he was being bothered too much by Rondo's defense in the 3rd.  I've heard so much about Rondo's great defense, but to my eye it seems to come and go.  Some games he gets a bunch of really awesome steals; other games he lets Mo Williams basically win a game on his own by scoring 10 straight points.

What do you think?  What's the real story on Rondo's defense - overrated or not?

Enlighten me.

Rondo had busted his butt and been slammed to the floor all night by that time ... I'm not surprised he had a bit of a let-up, because the Help-D was very soft at that point as well. If anything, Rondo's defense is under-rated, not over.

[pengaloo]

I think those hard fouls he took and the contact he takes driving to the basket eventually takes a toll on his body and makes it harder for him to fight over picks, get back on defense in transition...

[PosImpos]

I honestly don't know.  But I'm really wondering that after yet another game when an opposing point guard has a huge, gamebreaking performance against us.  Mo Williams didn't look like he was being bothered too much by Rondo's defense in the 3rd.  I've heard so much about Rondo's great defense, but to my eye it seems to come and go.  Some games he gets a bunch of really awesome steals; other games he lets Mo Williams basically win a game on his own by scoring 10 straight points.

What do you think?  What's the real story on Rondo's defense - overrated or not?

Enlighten me.

Rondo had busted his butt and been slammed to the floor all night by that time ... I'm not surprised he had a bit of a let-up, because the Help-D was very soft at that point as well. If anything, Rondo's defense is under-rated, not over.

Yeah, you raise a good point - the Celtics' help defense has been pretty atrocious at times this year; the 3rd quarter was a prime example.

[pearljammer10]

No. Simple answer.

[jdpapa3]

Not overrated. Williams did a lot of his work off of the pick and roll: in that case you have to blame the other defender in the pick and roll or the team's defensive philosophy at that particular moment.

[Spicoli]

Rondo played spectacularly. He was simply TIRED. He should have immediately been taken out, because at that point it was obvious that he was too tired to fight over the screens. Also, like other posters have said, in a pick and roll situation, the help defender has to step up and show better. Whoever the help defender was, he did not do that.Rondo is human. He can't do everything.

[PosImpos]

Rondo played spectacularly. He was simply TIRED. He should have immediately been taken out, because at that point it was obvious that he was too tired to fight over the screens. Also, like other posters have said, in a pick and roll situation, the help defender has to step up and show better. Whoever the help defender was, he did not do that.Rondo is human. He can't do everything.

Yeah, that's true.  So I guess the consensus is the help defense is lacking (which is troubling since it's supposed to be the Celtics' calling card).  Also, it seems our lack of a legitimate backup PG (sorry Nate) is hurting us again.

[LB3533]

Once a guy gets hot, it's tough to cool him off.

It don't matter how great your defense is or isn't.

[PosImpos]

Once a guy gets hot, it's tough to cool him off.

It don't matter how great your defense is or isn't.

Maybe so; some of the shots Williams hit were just ridiculous shots.  Others were open looks that are harder to forgive.

[RJ87]

From now on whenever a question of Rondo's defense comes up, I go back to the Miami series where they Erik Spoelkstra (spelling?) on "Inside Trax". He says to one of his assistant coach, "Well, we can't get the ball up the court. Got any other ideas?"

Rondo's good defensively, but he takes such a beating during the game, its just gets really difficult to get over screens. Mo got into a groove at the wrong time, I don't think it's a serious issue at this point.

[Spicoli]

Yeah, and it's not like Mo Williams is a terrible player. He's a good player who got into a nice rhythm at the wrong time for us. The help D has to step up and force the ball out of his hands. If the help D steps up, and someone cuts behind him, that's where you have to trust your teammates to be there to protect your backside. Mo Williams is not a great passer anyway. I would take my chances with Mo trying to thread the needle in those scenarios.

[pengaloo]

From now on whenever a question of Rondo's defense comes up, I go back to the Miami series where they Erik Spoelkstra (spelling?) on "Inside Trax". He says to one of his assistant coach, "Well, we can't get the ball up the court. Got any other ideas?"

Rondo's good defensively, but he takes such a beating during the game, its just gets really difficult to get over screens. Mo got into a groove at the wrong time, I don't think it's a serious issue at this point.

I think it could become a serious issue. Rondo takes such a beating during every game, plays 40+ minutes a game, goes for rebounds, and shoulders the offensive load... something's gotta give. He can play excellent defense but it's unrealistic to expect defensive-stopper type play during the entire game even if he gives 100% effort. Not unless he gets help from the rest of the team (which he didn't today).

[RJ87]

From now on whenever a question of Rondo's defense comes up, I go back to the Miami series where they Erik Spoelkstra (spelling?) on "Inside Trax". He says to one of his assistant coach, "Well, we can't get the ball up the court. Got any other ideas?"

Rondo's good defensively, but he takes such a beating during the game, its just gets really difficult to get over screens. Mo got into a groove at the wrong time, I don't think it's a serious issue at this point.

I think it could become a serious issue. Rondo takes such a beating during every game, plays 40+ minutes a game, goes for rebounds, and shoulders the offensive load... something's gotta give. He can play excellent defense but it's unrealistic to expect defensive-stopper type play during the entire game even if he gives 100% effort. Not unless he gets help from the rest of the team (which he didn't today).

Well, I said it wasn't an issue at "this point" because I want to see if they can make adjustments for game 2... If we see a similar situation in game 2, the Houston we have a problem.

[LB3533]

We're just not going to win many games when Rondo is our leading scorer and our leading assist man.

That's not who we are and that's not how we win.