Lebron guarding Rondo?

[Evantime34]

Just sent my friend an email regarding this topic here are possible outcomes of LeBron guarding Rondo with Pros and Cons (from the Celtics perspectice).
Cons
1. Lebron Locks Rondo down
2. Lebron hacks Rondo in order to stop him from scoring but is never called for any fouls because he's "the King"
3. Lebron disrupts the Celtics offense by sagging off Rondo, which prevents Rajon from scoring and prevents other players from getting to the hoop.
4. Rondo consistently beats LBJ off the dribble but LeBron comes back in the play and blocks Rondo.
Pros
1. With Anthony Parker on him Pierce goes off
2. LeBron gets in foul trouble (doubt it)
3. LeBron gets really tired (like he did last year in the playoffs against the Magic)
4. Rondo decides to start taking jumpers because LeBron is playing off him, he hits a few gets hot and gets a new found confidence in his jumper which makes him unguardable (the most unlikely).

[misterx2day]

Cool guys, I already made a topic about this, but whatever. Way to go mods.

[FatjohnReturns]

lebron wants to guard Rondo bring it on. We should just post Pierce or Ray every time Lebron takes Rondo on defense.

[slamtheking]

Just sent my friend an email regarding this topic here are possible outcomes of LeBron guarding Rondo with Pros and Cons (from the Celtics perspectice).
Cons
1. Lebron Locks Rondo down
2. Lebron hacks Rondo in order to stop him from scoring but is never called for any fouls because he's "the King"
3. Lebron disrupts the Celtics offense by sagging off Rondo, which prevents Rajon from scoring and prevents other players from getting to the hoop.
4. Rondo consistently beats LBJ off the dribble but LeBron comes back in the play and blocks Rondo.
Pros
1. With Anthony Parker on him Pierce goes off
2. LeBron gets in foul trouble (doubt it)
3. LeBron gets really tired (like he did last year in the playoffs against the Magic)
4. Rondo decides to start taking jumpers because LeBron is playing off him, he hits a few gets hot and gets a new found confidence in his jumper which makes him unguardable (the most unlikely).

one other more-likely Pro --> Rondo consistantly gets by Bron, draws a double team and dishes to an open C for a lay-up, open jumper or dunk.  Hopefully that C is KG who is more than likely going to score as opposed to Perk who's more than likely to turn it over or get stripped (based on his play this year) or BBD who's more than likely to get blocked (because he can't finish above the rim).
One other possible Pro --> Rondo gets by Bron and learns to use his body to block the defender coming from behind so that he gets the layup/dunk and draws a foul as Bron/Double-teamer fouls him from behind while going for the block.

[MBz]

It would help us a lot.  It wouldn't allow LeBron to play as much help defense on guys in the post.

[Greenbean]

Cool guys, I already made a topic about this, but whatever. Way to go mods.

Little salty eh?

This topic was started 3 days ago.

[Brendan]

Cool guys, I already made a topic about this, but whatever. Way to go mods.

Blame me - I posted in this (already existing) topic in order to continue the LBJ's long and post game discussion.

But realistically the thread you started was redundant with this pre-existing thread. No big deal - its not realistic to expect people to find every old similar thread.

[Prof. Clutch]

btw, unrelated to this, Lebron had 4 personal fouls in that game yesterday.  When was the last time that happened?

[el.celta]

I DO NOT SEE A POSITIVE EFFECT THE CAVALIERS ...
THEY WILL REPLACE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAY ALLEN AND PAUL PIERCE
LIST MUCH MORE.

[Mr October]

I think that Lebron would be a little effective on Rondo, but it would tire him out sooner. Rondo is a load, and he is better at penetrating and dishing. As great a defender as Lebron is, this would be too much energy for him to use on just Rondo.

CLE needs Lebron's Offensive Punch more than anything else, I think.

Interesting concept, though. Roy Hobbs pointed out a similar situation a week or so ago in a different thread if we meet LA, with Kobe guarding Rondo in such a series.

I don't think he would cover Rondo all game.  Maybe just the 4th quarter or earlier if the game starts to get away from the Cavs

I agree, I think it would be a change up.

My money would be that he comes out covering him either to start the game, or at the beginning of the second half, but in either case, I think it would only be for a stretch.

Yeah. It would be effective in spurts. Otherwise James would get gassed and Pierce would be able to go off. Then you've still got Rondo creating havoc on the break, and KG and Pierce to go through in the half court.

[Amonkey]

I think Lebron could hack and get a couple of dirty blocks or steals that they wouldn't call because he is Lebron.  Basically, Lebron can do anything he wants on defense and only get called for it 27% of the time.

[Hoops]

Perhaps this is just an echo, but I don't see this being an effective strategy for Cleveland. If anything, this will make Boston's offense more potent because:

1. LeBron can definitely prevent Rondo from getting his little floaters and lay-ups off in the paint, but LeBron can't stop Rondo from dribbling wherever he wants to. Rondo is too fast. If LeBron tries to muscle him, he'll get called for fouls (nearly) every time.

2. Meanwhile, when Rondo gets to his spots (which he will), he'll have MORE passing options because LeBron will be guarding him and NOT Pierce.

3. I don't care if LeBron is the greatest physical specimen on the planet. I don't care if he's on PEDs to enhance his body to an even greater level (FWIW, I don't believe he is using PEDs). Rondo can (and should) run around enough that even LeBron is bound to get worn down by the 4th quarter. Having a tired (perhaps only slightly compared to normal) LeBron is bound to produce positive effects for the Celtics at the end of the game.

4. This is a risky strategy because if Cleveland spends a bunch of time preparing for LeBron on Rondo, then that's time they won't be spending coming up with another game plan. As soon as the LeBron on Rondo plan implodes, they'll be left scrambling for adjustments and by then it could be too late.

[Jon]

I really hope that LeBron does guard Rondo.  Yes, we can talk all about LeBron's "size," but his size won't be able to alter Rondo's shot when Rondo burns him off the dribble.  The King is fast, but not as fast as Rondo, and not nearly as quick.  Rondo will still beat him off the dribble and it'll only wear LeBron down for the offensive end. 

And while that's going on, Pierce is going to hit his stride destroying anyone else Cleveland throws at him. 

[jdub1660]

I don't see how LeBron guarding Rondo would be effective. Maybe mentally, but LBJ is a better weakside defender. If he were dumb enough to waste his energy and ego on defending one of the fastest players in the league, he would end up with a sorry game on both ends. LeBron is sick nasty following behind the other mans defender, then pinning it against the glass. With him right on Rondo, he'll either run into a brick wall called Perk, or Rondo will get him in the air and put him in foul trouble. I also would expect Ray to have a big game too being left open(aka guarded by Anthony Parker/Dwest)

[banty19]

Like everybody else has said, hopefully Pierce would step up. One thing that's scary about this, though, is Rondo isn't a good enough shooter to force Lebron to stay with him. Because of this Lebron could cheat off of Rondo and play "free safety" like Kobe has in the past. This would allow Lebron to double Pierce or get head starts on the fast break.