Will Rondo's US play this summer hurt his game for the Celtics?

[scaryjerry]

Big fat NO for me, assuming no injury occurs, playing for coach K and team USA being around different  other great players and guards will only make him grow.
Thats my view on it

[Q_FBE]

Absolutely not. He gets to learn to play with new teammates, Koached by K, get positive exposure, and learn the beauty of FIBA ball.

Perhaps the NBA can learn a thing or two from the international games which are officiated by the rules of the game and not by Stern's politics.

[hehateme22]

it anything it will help the celtics. rondo is just gonna continue to get better and better. if you have watched any of the inter squad games he is playing with so much confidence. It is amazing to see a player come into his own.

[xmuscularghandix]

it anything it will help the celtics. rondo is just gonna continue to get better and better. if you have watched any of the inter squad games he is playing with so much confidence.

Exactly. He’s also showing other NBA players how unselfish he really is. This event could really be helping the future of the Celtics. If a player is getting easy looks, and is looking GOOD in this tournament... he might wanna come play with Rondo full time.

[Snakehead]

How is playing against good competition while learning from some other top coaches a bad thing for a young PG?

Cause he's not spending hours in the gym everyday just taking shot after shot

no but I really think shooting jumpers and free throws in game situations will be much more beneficial to him than shooting them in a gym by himself. Think of this as a sort of training camp for him.

Lol, are you guys serious?  You think Rondo isn't putting up a lot of jumpers in practice?

I played high school basketball and put up a ton of jumpshots at practice, this is the NBA. I'm sure Rondo will be with the team and on his own.  Anyone can find time to put up jumpers if they want, if he doesn't now he never will.  It's not that hard.

it anything it will help the celtics. rondo is just gonna continue to get better and better. if you have watched any of the inter squad games he is playing with so much confidence.

Exactly. He’s also showing other NBA players how unselfish he really is. This event could really be helping the future of the Celtics. If a player is getting easy looks, and is looking GOOD in this tournament... he might wanna come play with Rondo full time.

This is also a possible benefit.  A guy I would love to see play with Rondo is Igoudala.  His defensive mindset would fit right in here in Boston, and he's versatile, being able to play 2 or 3.  He can shoot, and he is an amazing athlete in the open court.

Imagine post Big Three, we have Rondo at PG and Bradley at SG, Bradley being similar to Rondo with his long arms and defense but having more shooting ability instead of Rondo's passing and playmaking, and that same athletic ability as Rondo, and then we have Andre at the 3.  That team is amazing at getting into the passing lanes and running the court.  I would love to watch it.

Andre's contract isn't great, but I love him and think he would step up if he came to a better situation like we'd have for him here in Boston.  The 76ers have always been mediocre and he is not a guy who really dominates alone, partially due to his defensive focus but also he is highly effecient and will not just jack up shots.  He is an outstanding finisher and would benefit from recieving Rondo's passes.  

To me, he is a great 2nd best player, Pippen-esque.  So if Rondo is your best and your leader, you could have Andre alongside him and that would be ideal for Andre's game.

Just make sure Rondo stops calling him "Iggy" so he can stay on his good side  

[nba is the worst]

This experience can only help Rondo - and I believe he does practice quite a bit of shooting. I agree with the posts that say it's a confidence issue more than anything else...

[guava_wrench]

This experience can only help Rondo - and I believe he does practice quite a bit of shooting. I agree with the posts that say it's a confidence issue more than anything else...

It can also hurt him. There is more of a chance of him concealing and injury and playing through since the games mean something.

That would not happen if he stayed at home and trained.

[TitleMaster]

Last season was grueling. It lasted till the last day of the finals in mid-June. I think Rondo should take the time off, work on his jumpshot, and work with a hypnotist to help him gain more confidence so that he knows *when* to take that shot.

There's also some strength training and yoga which he can do but that's just to support his overall conditioning.

[Jon]

I just worry about injury and fatigue.  And a lot of that has to do with this team's window.  A few years ago or a few years from now, I could deal with a Rondo injury or Rondo fatigue, and give the old line, there's always next year.  

However, with this team, there likely won't be a next year.  By 2011-2012 this team will be a year older, and even if they are as good as they are now, the lockout might end this team's run.  

Given that, we need Rondo to be at 100%.  There will be other times for him to play with Team USA.  

[Tai]

Last season was grueling. It lasted till the last day of the finals in mid-June. I think Rondo should take the time off, work on his jumpshot, and work with a hypnotist to help him gain more confidence so that he knows *when* to take that shot.

There's also some strength training and yoga which he can do but that's just to support his overall conditioning.

A hypnotist? REALLY? 

(Yes, I do think you're kidding....)