If Rondo Struggles in Game 7, Play Robinson!

[FallGuy]

The over/under on Rondo's minutes for game 7 should be something like 44.5.

[Crushmaster]

Similar to the "bench Ray" threads that were floating around here several days ago, I don't understand the logic behind Doc making such a drastic change this late in the season.  Why replace arguably our best player, an All Star and one of the best point guards in the NBA, with a role player?  Rondo had one bad game.  Nate had one good quarter.  Now we're going to switch them? 

[Celtics Fan]

The over/under on Rondo's minutes for game 7 should be something like 44.5.

He has to be effective though....I do believe he will... I C a triple double, he can save this championship run for us MVP MVP MVP.

[Bankshot]

Similar to the "bench Ray" threads that were floating around here several days ago, I don't understand the logic behind Doc making such a drastic change this late in the season.  Why replace arguably our best player, an All Star and one of the best point guards in the NBA, with a role player?  Rondo had one bad game.  Nate had one good quarter.  Now we're going to switch them? 

It's nothing like "bench Ray."  This game tomorrow is for all the marbles.  You can't let Rondo bring the team down.  If he plays well, then great, but if he doesn't, I will be p---ed if they don't at least try someone else.  Ray didn't really have a backup that can shoot, so it wasn't really reasonable for the "bench Ray" threads, but Rondo does have a backup that can score and possibly run the team.

[nickagneta]

Robinson simply isn't anywhere near Rondo's league.  He's a streak (good) shooter who has shown he'll jack up jumpers when they shouldn't be shot .  He won't get team into offense.
don't panic people

Who said he was in Rondo's league.  If Rondo struggles like he did last night, then Nate would probably be better than Rondo, at least in that game.  No reason to go down because Rondo is stinking up the joint.

Nate was worse than Rondo last night.

That was last night.  If Rondo struggles big time in game 7, I don't hesitate to try to see if Nate has something to offer.  He'll play better with the starters.

If Nate plays great, he gets minutes like in game 4. There is no need for a dramatic thread like this. Nate getting minutes is tied more to how Nate plays than how Rondo plays.

I think one of the purposes of this thread was to ask the question "If Rondo sucks as much in Game 7 as he did in Game 6, what do we do?"

I think the answer to that question is running the offense more through Paul Pierce.  The question then becomes who is a more effective running mate, a Rondo who isn't playing well, or Nate?

Of course, I'm expecting this conversation to be moot, because I think Rondo will play "with speed", as Doc likes to say.  If he does, we win.

If anyone sucks in Game 7 as much as Game 6 the point is moot.

The question could just as easily be, if Pierce sucks as bad in Game 7 as he did in Game 6 who is a better player to put out there for Rondo to pass who won't turn the ball over so much? Or if KG sucks as bad in Game 7 as he did in Game 6 who is a better player to put out there to rebound the ball more?

The point guava is making is there is no need after last night to be dramatic in pointing out anyone as bringing us down unless of course you just don't like a certain player(Rondo) or because the player behind that player is your binky(Nate).

Pierce, the Celtics top scoring option has been a complete and utter non factor or hindrance to the cause of winning in 3 of the 6 games in this series. Rondo has been the same way. So has KG and Ray. None of them have had four good games in this series. Not a one of them.

So guava's point stands, what's the point in pointing out Rondo when all four have been exactly the same way. You live by the sword, you die by the sword. You go with who brought you there and you live with the results, no matter how much you love Nate or do not love Rondo.

[celts55]

I would have taken fifteen shots too if my opponent wasn't guarding me.

Well perhaps you would have hit more than 5.

[nickagneta]

It's nothing like "bench Ray."  This game tomorrow is for all the marbles.  You can't let Rondo bring the team down.  If he plays well, then great, but if he doesn't, I will be [peeved] if they don't at least try someone else.  Ray didn't really have a backup that can shoot, so it wasn't really reasonable for the "bench Ray" threads, but Rondo does have a backup that can score and possibly run the team.

Actually it's exactly like the bench Ray threads after his 0-13 night.

And exactly where is this player that is going to run the team while Rondo sits? Pierce had 5 turnovers yesterday. He has only 0.5 less turnovers per 36 minutes as Rondo does this year. But he has only one third as many assists per 36 minutes. Nate has proven time and again he can't run this offense and the only player he can consistently create offense for is himself. Tony Allen? Ray Allen? Please!!

Rondo has been as inconsistent in this series as everyone else in a green uniform. There is zero need to start coming up with doomsday scenarios about who to play if Rondo isn't playing well because if you do, you may as well do it for everyone.

[LB3533]

If Rondo is not bring offense or defense then we have to play Nate just to see what Nate can bring to that game.

[Crushmaster]

If Rondo is not bring offense or defense then we have to play Nate just to see what Nate can bring to that game.

Nate will get his chance to shine as Rondo's backup, but the idea of not playing Rondo is suicide.  Nate is an energy guy who can put up points quickly, but he's barely played with the starters.  So it's a blind gamble asking him to do anything more than what he's been asked to do to this point.  We're taling about Game 7 of the NBA finals.  The time for fidling with rotations is long gone, no?  Doc is not going to panic into benching Rondo.  He's going to do what it takes to get Rondo ready and properly motivated to play, and i fully expect the Celtics to have something in mind tactically to make LA pay for the way they've been laying off Rondo.   

[CoachBo]

With all this said: Rondo MUST understand that if we're going to lose Game 7, it has to be with him missing foul shots instead of the passive, timid distributor he was last night.

In other words, get to the doggone line by driving, scoring and dishing. Be aggressive.

[GrandTheftRondo]

Rondo should play as many minutes as he can if he's not struggling. He deserves that much. I also expect him to leave his heart on the floor tomorrow and go all out.

But like I said in another thread...if the game comes down to the wire...its tied, or either team is up by 1 or 2 points...he has to go. I'm so sorry but he has to. If he's on the court, he will get fouled. There's no doubt in my mind. They aren't gonna make the same mistake they made in Game 5 again.

Because if the Championship ends up being based on Rajon Rondo at the foul line...its all over.