Rondo Defenders-state your case

[indeedproceed]

I think Rondo is inconsistent and has been all season. If he went off for 28 pts and 10 assists next game, I wouldn't be surprised.

Honestly, all we need is 10 pts 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 2-3 steals, and good defense on Jameer Nelson.

But after the last couple of games that seems like a lot to ask.

Match-up Of The Night: Rajon Rondo V Jameer Nelson

Statistically speaking, nothing in particular stands out from Rondo's stat line on Monday when compared against his stat line for the previous 3 games.He's only scored prolifically in one game (game 2), and that game was won by a paltry 3 points.

The thing about Rajon Rondo is that his impact on a game is not contingent on a stat line. The Celtics had opportunities to close the game in the 1st and 2nd quarters, but in both situations they suffered without Rondo on the floor. When Rondo is not out there, especially against the Magic, the Celtics seem to lack leadership on the offensive end.The reason why Rondo was not on the floor was because fundamentally 1 minute during the 1st quarter in which he managed to acquire 2 personal (reaching/blocking) fouls in 1 minute, effectively handicapping him for the rest of the half.

Tonight the Celtics do not need Rondo to score 20+ points. The game in which he did, Game 2, the Celtics only won by three. However, in the game which Rondo scored 10+ points with 10+ assists, the Celtics took by 33 points. Surely not all of that is on Rondo's shoulders, but the young man is the catalyst for pretty much everything on the Celtics' offensive end.

The other critical role Rondo plays is his defense of Jameer Nelson. In game 4 Nelson went off for 23 points and 9 assists. However, if you subtract the 5 overtime minutes where Nelson simply hit two clutch three pointers in 5 minutes, Rondo actually did a pretty decent job on him. If you take only the time in which Rondo was in the game when Jameer was in the game (assuming they're guarding each other), Rondo held him to 12 points over 35 minutes of play. That is below both Nelson's playoff averages as well as his regular season averages.

If the Celtics want to close out the series tonight, Rondo needs absolutely to be focused for the 40+ minutes he will be out there. He doesn't need to set records, he just needs to play to his own level and stay focused.

I agree. 12 pts 12 assists is a winning formula.

[winsomme]

I'm not sure what you're suggesting with this post. Do you not think Rondo is good?

His point is that Rondo shouldn't get a free pass when he has a bad game, since Ray and Paul get murdered every time they have a bad game.

I agree, Rondo has been brutal these last two games, and the Celtics can't afford for him to have a bad game, for the reasons you noted.

I don't see people giving him a free pass. The guy is freaking burnt. He's playing way too many minutes and he's losing his burst.

That's why I'm personally advocating for more Nate. A fresh Rondo is essential to the Cs success.

The tone of the original post seems to imply that Rondo is not as good as his defenders say he is....and that confuses me because when he has his legs, he's been stellar.

[Toine43]

The Celtics came out in both game 4 and game 5 with a stagnant half court offense, and in both games it seemed to be a weird combo of Rondo being injured and the game plan (in particular the game plan in game 4) calling for Rondo to play off the ball. Coming off such a dominating stretch of games by Rondo, I just don't get it. The onus is on Doc to change this. Rondo also needs to take it upon himself to push the tempo, and be willing to drive and draw contact in semi-fastbreak scenarios. I'm a big Doc guy, and I know the coaches know much more than I do, but from afar it feels like they need to go back to giving the ball to Rondo and running the offense through him. Maybe he's hurt, but that can't be an excuse at this point. They're a win away from the NBA finals. If he can stand, he needs to be sticking to Jameer like glue on the defense, and trying way harder to control the game on offense. That way KG gets more involved, Ray gets better looks, and Paul isn't fatigued by the end of the game.

[FallGuy]

I think Rondo's hurt. I think it's pretty obvious by watching him move around out there, seeing him on the bench and because we were ALREADY TOLD he had muscle spasms. It's probably worse than they're admitting.

[barefacedmonk]

I think Rondo's hurt. I think it's pretty obvious by watching him move around out there, seeing him on the bench and because we were ALREADY TOLD he had muscle spasms. It's probably worse than they're admitting.

What he said.

[Bankshot]

I think Rondo's hurt. I think it's pretty obvious by watching him move around out there, seeing him on the bench and because we were ALREADY TOLD he had muscle spasms. It's probably worse than they're admitting.

Well if that's the case Nate needs to play because Rondo is a liability when he's played like he did in games 4 and 5.  He's not too hurt to look for his own offense rather than setting people up though.  When Rondo scores a lot of points, it's not good for the Celtics unless he has a bunch of assists to go along with it.  People were calling Pierce selfish after game 4, but Rondo played selfish in game 5 imo.  Probably trying to prove he's better than Nelson after he got outplayed in game 4.  That SI cover didn't help either.

[Roy Hobbs]

I thought Rondo was world's better in Game 5 in terms of his aggression.  He's still not completely right -- neither his free throw stroke nor his consistent defense have looked that bad in months -- but he improved.

[celticinorlando]

rondo looks hurt or tired. he is letting the pick and roll eat him up

[crafty213]

Why defend anything.  He had a bad game 4 and was the 2nd best Celtic in game 5.  Who besides Sheed had a good game? KG was useless and got outrebounded by Rashard Lewis. Pierce turned the ball over and also was -18 while on the court.  Ray Allen could not hit an open shot to save his life.

Could he play better...sure.  They will need to make some defensive adjustments to the double picks however. Even if Rondo fights through both picks he will end up trailing Nelson 75% of the time.  Doc needs to be more proactive with the person defending the 2nd pick or decide to drop under one of the picks...most likely the 2nd to limit exposure to Nelson hitting the 3. This is on the coaching as much as the players.

[GreenFaith1819]

This thought just crossed my mind - it's just a thought, not meant to start a rumor:

This is about Rondo - he certainly hasn't looked like himself, and Paul Pierce, while I love the Captain and his play, has had the ball in his hands a little too much, IMO.

My point is: Do any of us here think that there may be some sort of Power Struggle? I know that there has been some talk of it during the regular season, but it just doesn't seem like our Celtics are hitting on all cylinders.

Lord knows I hope I am Completely Wrong on this..it would just seem so childish for these two to not be on the same page, especially right now.

Internal Issues?

[Greenbean]

Rondo was better in game 5 but his defense has to get better on Nelson. Their defense on the P&R reminds me of the pre big 3 celtics. Kudos to SVG and staff for making an adjustment and going away from posting dwight the whole game. Theyare mobilizing the big guy and he is impacting the game much more by doing this.

I think we should be pressuring the ball at the time line and then quickly settling into a zone. I saw a little of this here and there in game 5 but the rebounding suffered when they went to it and gave up some OR after great stops.

Look for it in game 6.

Also, the crowd better bring it in game 6 because these guys are tired and will need the boost.

[Eja117]

I love Rondo. Love isn't logical. 

[2short]

Rondo is hurt, no need to defend him
its very obvious his lateral speed isn't there along with the fact its reported hamstring issues

[Birdbrain]

I thought he was hindered a bit and blew too many FTs but, all in all him and Pierce were the only starters that played with heart.

So I have no problem with RR.  Now Ray and KG that's another story.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

This thought just crossed my mind - it's just a thought, not meant to start a rumor:

This is about Rondo - he certainly hasn't looked like himself, and Paul Pierce, while I love the Captain and his play, has had the ball in his hands a little too much, IMO.

My point is: Do any of us here think that there may be some sort of Power Struggle? I know that there has been some talk of it during the regular season, but it just doesn't seem like our Celtics are hitting on all cylinders.

Lord knows I hope I am Completely Wrong on this..it would just seem so childish for these two to not be on the same page, especially right now.

Internal Issues?

No. That has been pretty clearly addressed. I think injuries, fatigue and other things are playing a much larger role. Also, it is two games. Do you just dismiss the evidence of the previous 6 games when they were rolling, playing great? The Magic were due to step up and play better. They are the higher seed than us, etc. They are hardly a horrible team. At some point you just get beat. But to take two subpar games, in which he probably has been a bit more injured than he said, and infer that it is a power struggle seems, as you admit, a but much.