Lebron guarding Rondo?

[byennie]

I really hope this happens.

First of all, it's a great basketball storyline period. Rondo being the best player in the series so far, LeBron stepping up to guard him.

Second of all, I think it's a terrible idea for Cleveland:

1) LeBron is fast, but he's not Rondo quick. No guarantee he can stay in front of Rondo, and he has to worry about sprinting back on defense every play. He might be the fastest 6'8" guy in the league, but Rondo might be the fastest 6'1". There's a difference.

2) Guarding Rondo pulls LeBron far away from the basket. He's at his best on defense when he is roaming and using his reach and quickness.

3) Everyone is talking about Anthony Parker on Pierce (and I agree, that's a 20 point night waiting to happen even from a struggling Pierce). But... who does Mo Williams guard? Ray Ray has a good 4-5 inches on him. If you are Cleveland, you do NOT want Ray Ray guarded by someone he can shoot right over the top of.

4) Rebounding. LeBron is Cleveland's best rebounder and now he's not in position for defensive rebounds. I could see stealing a couple of extra offensive rebounds as a result of LeBron running around instead of being planted in front of Pierce.

I guess there's a chance that LeBron pops out and shuts Rondo down. I mean, if anyone can do anything, LeBron has a shot. But if I had a vote, I'd make it happen both as a C's fan and a basketball fan in general.

[celticinorlando]

if LBJ stays on rondo then lbj can't roam and cherry pick on defense...but ray will wear mo williams arse out in the post and running screens...then i bet my house PP starts taking parker wherever he wants to on the court.

[CoachBo]

That would be my take, too.

I'd like to see Brown put LBJ on Rondo, to see if Rondo can foul him out - or get any fouls at all.

[Change]

I really hope this happens.

First of all, it's a great basketball storyline period. Rondo being the best player in the series so far, LeBron stepping up to guard him.

Second of all, I think it's a terrible idea for Cleveland:

1) LeBron is fast, but he's not Rondo quick. No guarantee he can stay in front of Rondo, and he has to worry about sprinting back on defense every play. He might be the fastest 6'8" guy in the league, but Rondo might be the fastest 6'1". There's a difference.

2) Guarding Rondo pulls LeBron far away from the basket. He's at his best on defense when he is roaming and using his reach and quickness.

3) Everyone is talking about Anthony Parker on Pierce (and I agree, that's a 20 point night waiting to happen even from a struggling Pierce). But... who does Mo Williams guard? Ray Ray has a good 4-5 inches on him. If you are Cleveland, you do NOT want Ray Ray guarded by someone he can shoot right over the top of.

4) Rebounding. LeBron is Cleveland's best rebounder and now he's not in position for defensive rebounds. I could see stealing a couple of extra offensive rebounds as a result of LeBron running around instead of being planted in front of Pierce.

I guess there's a chance that LeBron pops out and shuts Rondo down. I mean, if anyone can do anything, LeBron has a shot. But if I had a vote, I'd make it happen both as a C's fan and a basketball fan in general.

Great Points. I've been waiting for Cavs to do this move out of desperation. It will be a national holiday for Celtics fans. This will open so many mismatches at practically every position including Rondo Vs. Lebron. No way King James can stay with Rondo. And it'll tire him out, Rondo touches the ball every position. If he focuses on Defensive, Lebron will exhaust so much energy trying to keep up with Rondo he'll be gassed by the end of the half. Meaning: Less scoring from the king in game5. Ray & Pierce monster games.

The chances for Celtics winning game5 just exploded.

[FatjohnReturns]

Rondo will draw fouls on Lebron. I say bring it on Lebron.
First time James tries to d up Rondo I would go right to Pierce. Pierce at the foul line or on the box.        

[Eja117]

If they run the floor it might not matter.

I think Mike Brown is making the right decision.

He's saying to Lebron "If you're so great then this is all on you".

I love the way it gives Rondo a chance to personally end the legend of Lebron.  If he does then I advise him to hire a lot of personal security, because both Nike and David Stern will be tempted to hire associates to deal with Rondo

[3ptAndOne]

I think switching Lebron on Rondo is a good move for the Cavaliers. Honestly, I expected them to try doing this in the regular season and earlier in the series when Rondo was torching them.  I can understand why MB wouldn’t want to do this because Pierce has the size advantage on Parker. However, Pierce has struggle in this series and I thought he was average in the Miami series with them not having any inside present. I just hope that Pierce’s struggle was because of Lebron’s defense and not him just struggling.

[Bahku]

Rondo's way too fast for LeBron ... and it will leave Ray and Paul open to have the big game they've been saving. I actually hope they do it ... it will insure us the win.

[FallGuy]

I trust Mike Brown to make the least effective coaching decision and then stubbornly stick with it.

[Edgar]

pst..pst..
this is all mind games
focus
remember elbowgate
dont be dumb
just be Cs

[makaveli]

Rondo's way too fast for LeBron ... and it will leave Ray and Paul open to have the big game they've been saving. I actually hope they do it ... it will insure us the win.

Co-sign, if this happens, Paul will be on the line all game long

[BballTim]

Rondo will draw fouls on Lebron. I say bring it on Lebron.
First time James tries to d up Rondo I would go right to Pierce. Pierce at the foul line or on the box.        

  I think we need to stick with what's working. When Cleveland switched to Parker on Rondo we responded by basically taking the ball out of Rondo's hands and giving it to Ray to try and iso Mo. That kind of played into Cleveland's hands. Just keep going and hope that Paul exploits the mismatch enough to get into an offensive rhythm.

[wdleehi]

Post up Pierce every time they put Parker or Mo on him.



Rondo need to never stop moving when Lebron is on him.  With or without the ball.

[Marcus13]

Rondo's scoring is going to be shot.  You have to remember that LeBron DOESN'T get called for fouls.  He is going to knock Rondo to the ground every time he gets into the paint and no whistle is going to blow.

It's really going to be on Pierce to (finally) step up tonight

[BudweiserCeltic]

The only thing that worries me of LeBron on Rondo are the possible cross-matchups.