Forget the trades. It's all about Rondo.

[MBunge]

While it's kind of fun to go crazy over who Ainge should be going after with Sheed's contract, that's really not going to determine Boston's fate next season.  What will go the farthest toward getting #18 is if Rondo comes to training camp having done at least one of two things.

Either...

1.  Develop a semi-consistent outside shot, either the 15-17 foot jumper or a set shot 3 like Jason Kidd.

OR...

2.  Get his free throw percentage up to at least 70%, even if he has to start shooting them underhanded like Rick Barry.

If Rondo does just one of those, I feel really, really good about next season.  If he hasn't fixed either of those weaknesses, I'm just not sure Pierce, KG and Ray have still got it in them to overcome the limitations Rondo imposes on the Celtic offense.

Mike

[Evantime34]

While it's kind of fun to go crazy over who Ainge should be going after with Sheed's contract, that's really not going to determine Boston's fate next season.  What will go the farthest toward getting #18 is if Rondo comes to training camp having done at least one of two things.

Either...

1.  Develop a semi-consistent outside shot, either the 15-17 foot jumper or a set shot 3 like Jason Kidd.

OR...

2.  Get his free throw percentage up to at least 70%, even if he has to start shooting them underhanded like Rick Barry.

If Rondo does just one of those, I feel really, really good about next season.  If he hasn't fixed either of those weaknesses, I'm just not sure Pierce, KG and Ray have still got it in them to overcome the limitations Rondo imposes on the Celtic offense.

Mike

I think they go together and will both happen. This seasons past he made strides from the season before to improve his jump shot. I think you will see the same level of improvement this summer.

[Mr October]

Rondo's improvement is important.... But we at least know a baseline of what he is capable of.

The Celtics have just lost their top bench wingman. Finding the top backup wing for this team is critical.

The Celtics have a really solid chance to use Sheed's contract to land a the legit 6th man that they have lcaked since Posey left town.

[Mr October]

On Rondo: in the playoffs I was floored at how much improved his jump shot was in the playoffs. This guy just keeps getting better every year. And I look forward to seeing more.

[CelticsWhat35]

I think it's unfair to put it all on Rondo's shoulders when the Big 3 make up about $45mil in salary.  Rondo is going to keep improving, just as he has every season.  But if any of the Big 3 make precipitous drops, the team is in trouble, no matter what Rondo is able to do next season.

[sk7326]

Rondo is key ... ALSO Avery Bradley could be ... look at recent history or HEAVILY recruited dudes who put up meh numbers because of controlling coaches or what not (Ben Howland in particular with Jrue Holliday and Russell Westbrook, Tubby with Rondo for that matter).  He was brought in with a defensive rep - and in a position where there is not a ton of pressure on him early.

BUT - he has Monta Ellis level potential (and better since Ellis is a disinterested defender). 

[indeedproceed]

BUT - he has Monta Ellis level potential (and better since Ellis is a disinterested defender). 

Well, Gerald Green had Tracy McGrady level potential, but with a bitter outside shot.

Ended up meaning nothing.

[Evantime34]

I think it's unfair to put it all on Rondo's shoulders when the Big 3 make up about $45mil in salary.  Rondo is going to keep improving, just as he has every season.  But if any of the Big 3 make precipitous drops, the team is in trouble, no matter what Rondo is able to do next season.

The way his numbers are trending Rondo could average 16/12/5 with 2.5 steals a game. Those are the numbers of someone who puts the team on their shoulders.

[sk7326]

BUT - he has Monta Ellis level potential (and better since Ellis is a disinterested defender). 

Well, Gerald Green had Tracy McGrady level potential, but with a bitter outside shot.

Ended up meaning nothing.

LOL - Bradley did not have bad year at Texas.  This is not Gerald Green who had never been coached before.  I mean Texas wanted him to be a defensive stopper - and he was.  Clueless players usually aren't doing that.

And the recent history of one and done's being stilted by college systems (which are more physical and less drive oriented) has enough cases for Bradley to be an interesting guy.  

[Mr October]

BUT - he has Monta Ellis level potential (and better since Ellis is a disinterested defender). 

Well, Gerald Green had Tracy McGrady level potential, but with a bitter outside shot.

Ended up meaning nothing.

You can't compare Bradley to Green. Bradley is at least a player. Green was nothing more then an athletic body with a streaky outside shot.

[vinnie]

On Rondo: in the playoffs I was floored at how much improved his jump shot was in the playoffs. This guy just keeps getting better every year. And I look forward to seeing more.

Jumpshot improved, free throw shooting horrendous. What did he shoot, 25 percent from the line in the finals?

[Greenbean]

On Rondo: in the playoffs I was floored at how much improved his jump shot was in the playoffs. This guy just keeps getting better every year. And I look forward to seeing more.

Jumpshot improved, free throw shooting horrendous. What did he shoot, 25 percent from the line in the finals?

Which still baffles me. Hopefully he put the finals loss on his free throw shooting and really commits to it. Like I am talking putting up like 1000 ft's 6 out of 7 days for the entire offseason. It should work.

[Celtics17]

Rondo is not only the key to this years team but for many, many more seasons. He is also this teams best player, and it's not even close. If, and to me it's really more of a when, this kid develops his shot more his growth will be phenomenal. Remember when he had that monster playoff game where only two other players had those numbers or better. Who were those two players, Wilt and Oscar? I know it was Wilt anyway. My point is, he is already in very elite company with some still serious flaws to his game. Wilt had one serious flaw and it happened to be free throw shooting too.

[wiley]

I'd be thrilled if the free throw % went up, and we'd all be excited if his outside shot got better too, but I'm not expecting either.  It's not his strength.  I'm sure he believes in hard work and will continue working hard to improve in both areas.  He already hired Mark Price during one offseason and put tons of effort in.  I'm sure he'll continue to work as hard as always.

But I think when it comes to shooting it's better not have expectations and add lots of pressure.  It's not a perfect analogy, but it's a bit like saying, okay next month I'm going to sink a higher percentage of putts (not a golfer but assuming it doesn't work that way).  You put the work in, you take the shots you should take and you hope for the best.  No forcing.

As an aside, I do think not riding him for as many minutes could be good for his free throw%, especially later in the year.  He busted his butt in three straight playoffs, two of them to the end of the finals....time for a year at reasonable minutes via really good backup PG.

[BballTim]

On Rondo: in the playoffs I was floored at how much improved his jump shot was in the playoffs. This guy just keeps getting better every year. And I look forward to seeing more.

Jumpshot improved, free throw shooting horrendous. What did he shoot, 25 percent from the line in the finals?

  And probably about 70% for the rest of the playoffs.