Would you have traded Rondo for Deron Williams?

[ssspence]

This is actually a tougher call than you might think.  Williams has far fewer offensive limitations than Rondo, but I have little confidence he could handle this Boston lineup.  I certainly don't think Williams would be happy being the 4th or 5th option on offense most nights.

Mike

He'd immediately be the top scorer on the team, with a better halfcourt game than Rondo at a comparable assist level. The Cs would be back to playing 5 on 5, and would essentially be impossible to guard.

He'd be the No 1 option on the  best team in basketball.

I think RR meshes better b/c he ISN'T the first option. You have 1 ball, it's tough enough getting Shaq shots even when he goes 5/5 in the first Q and never sees the ball again. Who gets less shots with Deron? I think you guys underestimate RR... when he needs to he scores (playoffs last season), but he rarely needs to. The selflessness of RR is a big part of the teams success! RR is just what the team needs.  

Deron is one of the best distributors in the game, and sacrificing shots has never been an issue for the Cs. In fact, his ability to shoot keeps defenses honest and spaces the floor, creating more open looks for Paul, Ray and KG.

I don't underestimate Rondo -- he's one of the best players in the game. But worrying about things like Shaq's shots is a ratonalization of reality: that Williams is the better player.

[jarufu]

A better player, maybe.  A better fit, debatable.  Based on what we know of his recent history, is he the future of a franchise?  I just don't know ..

[pearljammer10]

No times ten.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

This is actually a tougher call than you might think.  Williams has far fewer offensive limitations than Rondo, but I have little confidence he could handle this Boston lineup.  I certainly don't think Williams would be happy being the 4th or 5th option on offense most nights.

Mike

He'd immediately be the top scorer on the team, with a better halfcourt game than Rondo at a comparable assist level. The Cs would be back to playing 5 on 5, and would essentially be impossible to guard.

He'd be the No 1 option on the  best team in basketball.

I think RR meshes better b/c he ISN'T the first option. You have 1 ball, it's tough enough getting Shaq shots even when he goes 5/5 in the first Q and never sees the ball again. Who gets less shots with Deron? I think you guys underestimate RR... when he needs to he scores (playoffs last season), but he rarely needs to. The selflessness of RR is a big part of the teams success! RR is just what the team needs.  

Deron is one of the best distributors in the game, and sacrificing shots has never been an issue for the Cs. In fact, his ability to shoot keeps defenses honest and spaces the floor, creating more open looks for Paul, Ray and KG.

I don't underestimate Rondo -- he's one of the best players in the game. But worrying about things like Shaq's shots is a ratonalization of reality: that Williams is the better player.

It doesn't matter who the better player is when you shoot like 60% but still get few shots it tells you there aren't many to go around. Yes the big three share but they don't want to have to share even more so. Tell me how you guys know that RR can't do what Deron does (scoring)... maybe if RR played with inferior players he would have more opportunity to show he can score, since he doesn't he scores when he sees we need it. Every time I see RR try to score he does it and very good considering he still can dish out 13 assist while doing it!

[2short]

NO
Rondo can take over games like very few nba players at any posistion.  Williams is great but no.

[cavman]

No, word is he doesn't play well with others.  His ego has grown and reports are he doesn't get along with coaches and players.  I don't want a guy like that around.

[soap07]

No, word is he doesn't play well with others.  His ego has grown and reports are he doesn't get along with coaches and players.  I don't want a guy like that around.

Link? He had run-ins with Sloan - but where have you seen with other players?



Additionally, I can understand people thinking that Deron wouldn't be a good fit here. I 100% disagree, but  I can understand why people feel that way. But I've seen in a couple threads here that people actually think Rondo is a better player than Deron. Can anyone make a legitimate defense of that?

[action781]

Yes.  It's unknown if Rondo can carry a team not loaded with HOF'ers and my gut feeling is that he cannot.  Deron has proven that he can single-handedly carry a team into the playoffs.

  I think this year he was well on his way to showing he *can't* single-handedly carry a team into the playoffs.

You may be right or might not be; I guess we'll never know.  They are still in the 8 seed right now and that's even after 4 straight losses. 

[soap07]

I like Deron Williams a lot but he is no Rondo IMO. Rondo plays much better defense and he is a much better leader and from what I hear person. It has been reported that D Will caused many headaches for Sloan. I wouldn't have rocked the boat mid-season if it was rondo for CP3.

What evidence do you have that Rondo is a better defender than Deron?

Rondo can take over games like very few nba players at any posistion.  Williams is great but no.

His lack of a jump shot, occasional timidity and terrible free throw shooting also makes him a liability at times like no other All-Star.

Every time I see RR try to score he does it and very good considering he still can dish out 13 assist while doing it!

Perhaps you haven't watched him play the Lakers, shoot free throws or a 20 footer.

Yes, and all the Hall of Famers on this team with championship rings would happy playing 2nd and 3rd fiddle to a point guard who wants to shoot the ball all the time.  Yeah, there's no way there could be any problems with that.

I think, considering how much easier Deron would make the game for them, that they'd be fine - considering they already play 2nd, 3rd and 4th fiddle to a point guard. I think not having Kobe being able to roam around on defense to play 5 on 4 would make them happy.

[Steve from Milford]

In a complete vacuum this is very close. Each does certain things the other doesn't and you certainly get a great PG either way.

However, as it is not a vacuum, I say not. First, I wouldn't want to mess with chemistry in the middle of a championship drive. Second, I believe that Rondo is he perfect point guard for this Celtic team.

If you asked this question when the big three era was over, I might have a different answer, but for now, and quite possibly another 2 or 3 years, Rondo is my man.

[Celtics4ever]

I love Rondo.  Williams is clearly a better shooter but I give assists and D edge to Rondo.   I would not pull the trigger because Rondo has some hard earned Chemistry.   This deal may blow in NJ face when he walks this summer.

[footey]

No although it is a legitimate question to ask. Can see both sides. But the biggest difference for me is we know that Rondo works so well with the chemistry of the Celtics as constituted, whereas with DW we can only speculate.

[jdub1660]

I think a few ppl hit the main point about leadership with Rondo over Dwill.

But I think the x factor would be the unknown with this Jazz/DW/Sloan situation.

Did Deron's attitude cause the fall of Utah/Sloan? Who knows, but that would factor into my decision to make the swap.

I'll keep Rondo and keep adding dependable veterans/allstars post Big 3

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I like Deron Williams a lot but he is no Rondo IMO. Rondo plays much better defense and he is a much better leader and from what I hear person. It has been reported that D Will caused many headaches for Sloan. I wouldn't have rocked the boat mid-season if it was rondo for CP3.

What evidence do you have that Rondo is a better defender than Deron?

Rondo can take over games like very few nba players at any posistion.  Williams is great but no.

His lack of a jump shot, occasional timidity and terrible free throw shooting also makes him a liability at times like no other All-Star.

Every time I see RR try to score he does it and very good considering he still can dish out 13 assist while doing it!

Perhaps you haven't watched him play the Lakers, shoot free throws or a 20 footer.

Yes, and all the Hall of Famers on this team with championship rings would happy playing 2nd and 3rd fiddle to a point guard who wants to shoot the ball all the time.  Yeah, there's no way there could be any problems with that.

I think, considering how much easier Deron would make the game for them, that they'd be fine - considering they already play 2nd, 3rd and 4th fiddle to a point guard. I think not having Kobe being able to roam around on defense to play 5 on 4 would make them happy.

Again, if RR shoots more or as much as Deron (gets a rhythm) I bet he could score as much... he doesn't have an ugly shot, he is very timid though... also he loves to pass (even if he is feet away on a fast break he will pass it). Same goes for ft shooting, he rarely goes to the line... if he could get a rhythm he would probably be better. I can not understand how people think someone is better when they are in different situations, Deron has to score for his team to win... if RR had to do the same, where is the proof he can't?

[scaryjerry]

Nope