When will Rondo quit messing around?

[Megatron]

Its a well known and obvious fact that Rondo refuses to try vs weak opponents.

He walks the ball up, passes, dissapears, doesent attack or stay aggressive, and basically says "Big 3, carry me I dont feel like trying" during many stetches of the season.

We all know we can dominate and blow out teams when Rondo is staying aggressive and playing his A game but he refuses to do it consistently.

Is this just Rondos personality? Why does he take so many games off? I know this must frustrate Doc.

This is the time in my opinion when Rondo needs to shoulder more of the Load to take the stress off of our Big 3 so they can be fresher for the playoffs.

Hopefully we see the good Rondo we know and love tonight. If we dont I wont be surprised if we get in another dogfight and end up having Pierce and Allen struggling to carry the team on their backs yet again.

Sorry for the negative post, just thought I would throw this out there and see what you guys think.

Does Rondos fluctuating effort level frustrate anyone else?

Don't use masked profanity.

[Marcus13]

Definitely a Rondo trait...but it's also a trait that many stars in this league have.  It's tough to psyche yourself up for 82 games during the regular season.

[greensamurai]

+1

But I'd rather have him do what he does and take a couple days off mentality in the regular season than in the playoffs. And as we know he brings his A game in the playoffs and that is when it matters so I can't complain

[Megatron]

+1

But I'd rather have him do what he does and take a couple days off mentality in the regular season than in the playoffs. And as we know he brings his A game in the playoffs and that is when it matters so I can't complain

I agree I just think he would become a better player if he were to be more consistent. Thats whats seperating him and Rose right now. Rose always gives max effort, every game, regardless of the opponent. Rondo barely tries vs anyone but the leagues best.

[Fafnir]

+1

But I'd rather have him do what he does and take a couple days off mentality in the regular season than in the playoffs. And as we know he brings his A game in the playoffs and that is when it matters so I can't complain

I agree I just think he would become a better player if he were to be more consistent. Thats whats seperating him and Rose right now. Rose always gives max effort, every game, regardless of the opponent. Rondo barely tries vs anyone but the leagues best.

I don't think you watch enough Bulls games. Either that or you equate shot attempts with effort.

No player in the NBA gives 100% effort every night. Some nights its physical, some nights its mental, and other nights the other team just plays good defense and you don't get it going.

[greensamurai]

Also, for a while when the Bulls had a couple guys out Rose couldn't slack off or they would lose. Luckily for us, we have multiple options to count on consistently to produce, so Rondo doesn't always need to show up. I think the Bulls production really revolves around Rose running the show.

[Megatron]

Also, for a while when the Bulls had a couple guys out Rose couldn't slack off or they would lose. Luckily for us, we have multiple options to count on consistently to produce, so Rondo doesn't always need to show up. I think the Bulls production really revolves around Rose running the show.

It does. Without Rose the Bulls would be dead in the water, they have nobody who can create their own shot on that team and already struggle offensively WITH Rose, without him they would be totally screwed.

[greensamurai]

Yeah, I mean teams can get by with one man running the show, but I think its definitely better to have many ways you can play the game. Right now, with this roster we can match any teams style of play.

But I do wish Rondo would be more aggressive, and sometimes his attitude just plain sucks. I hope Doc stays for a while because I don't know what will happen with a new coach and Rondo.

[snively]

The main area I hope Rondo exerts more energy in is rebounding (especially the defensive boards).  He's such a fantastic rebounder when he makes a point of pursuing them.

[snively]

Also, for a while when the Bulls had a couple guys out Rose couldn't slack off or they would lose. Luckily for us, we have multiple options to count on consistently to produce, so Rondo doesn't always need to show up. I think the Bulls production really revolves around Rose running the show.

It does. Without Rose the Bulls would be dead in the water, they have nobody who can create their own shot on that team and already struggle offensively WITH Rose, without him they would be totally screwed.

Rose really does put a lot of energy into those shots.  Do you see how high he gets off the ground?  It must be exhausting.

Freak athleticism & explosiveness =/= non-stop hustle. 

Anderson Varejao, Joakim Noah and healthy Kevin Garnett are much better examples of 100% committed players. 

[ejk3489]

Its a well known and obvious fact that Rondo refuses to try vs weak opponents.

He walks the ball up, passes, dissapears, doesent attack or stay aggressive, and basically says "Big 3, carry me I dont feel like trying" during many stetches of the season.

We all know we can dominate and blow out teams when Rondo is staying aggressive and playing his A game but he refuses to do it consistently.

Is this just Rondos personality? Why does he take so many games off? I know this must frustrate Doc.

This is the time in my opinion when Rondo needs to shoulder more of the Load to take the stress off of our Big 3 so they can be fresher for the playoffs.

Hopefully we see the good Rondo we know and love tonight. If we dont I wont be surprised if we get in another dogfight and end up having Pierce and Allen struggling to carry the team on their backs yet again.

Sorry for the negative post, just thought I would throw this out there and see what you guys think.

Does Rondos fluctuating effort level frustrate anyone else?

Don't use masked profanity.

I would agree with you if this were 08' or 09'...but this season and last season he's been very consistent. Obviously he has bad games, but what player doesn't? And I understand him not going 100% every game to save some energy for the playoffs, especially given his injury situation.

Also, I don't get the notion that he "refuses to try" against weak teams. Some of his biggest games this year have come against lesser opponents:

MIL: 17pts 15ast 8rbs
MEM: 11pts 17ast 5rbs
CLE: 23pts 12ast 5rbs
PHI: 19pts 14ast 3rbs
CHA: 18pts 13ast 6rbs
GSW: 19pts 15ast 6rbs

(And of course there are games against LA, SAS, and ORL where he's had big nights too.)

[Carhole]

+1

But I'd rather have him do what he does and take a couple days off mentality in the regular season than in the playoffs. And as we know he brings his A game in the playoffs and that is when it matters so I can't complain

I like rondo a lot. Best vision and anticipation in the league as a passer. Elite anticipation as a help defender. Elite quickness and handle.

But I have to wonder where this belief that he can turn it on and bring his A game whenever he wants comes from. I have read it on here often.

He was awful against Orlando and extra awful against LA in the finals last year. He ate up the two teams that had no point guard to put against him.

The second half of game seven in LA they doubled up on PP and KG and left rondo and ray to beat them. Ray was off and rondo was petrified to attack go to the hole and get fouled. There was a reason Kobe had 15 boards.

And for the series LA wanted him to "be aggressive" as a scorer (I think he was tied with PP) and gave him unlimited cushion to see the floor but he had, for him, terrible assist to turnover ration (7.5 to 2.7)

Great potential, elite in some areas but still needs to figure out how to play an "A" level game against all defenses schemes.

[Megatron]

+1

But I'd rather have him do what he does and take a couple days off mentality in the regular season than in the playoffs. And as we know he brings his A game in the playoffs and that is when it matters so I can't complain

I like rondo a lot. Best vision and anticipation in the league as a passer. Elite anticipation as a help defender. Elite quickness and handle.

But I have to wonder where this belief that he can turn it on and bring his A game whenever he wants comes from. I have read it on here often.

He was awful against Orlando and extra awful against LA in the finals last year. He ate up the two teams that had no point guard to put against him.

The second half of game seven in LA they doubled up on PP and KG and left rondo and ray to beat them. Ray was off and rondo was petrified to attack go to the hole and get fouled. There was a reason Kobe had 15 boards.

And for the series LA wanted him to "be aggressive" as a scorer (I think he was tied with PP) and gave him unlimited cushion to see the floor but he had, for him, terrible assist to turnover ration (7.5 to 2.7)

Great potential, elite in some areas but still needs to figure out how to play an "A" level game against all defenses schemes.

I agree, I think that its mental when it comes to figuring out how hes being defended.

If teams are daring him to attack he needs to make them pay. Hes far too hesitant to attack the basket and draw fouls, while players like Rose will relish that opportunity and immediately drive into the lane while Rondo just stands there or bricks the open jumper.

He has the ability, we have seen it, its just all mental at this point, he knows what he has to do, he has to make himself a threat but he refuses to do it vs LA because something is mentally holding him back.

[BballTim]

I would agree with you if this were 08' or 09'...but this season and last season he's been very consistent. Obviously he has bad games, but what player doesn't? And I understand him not going 100% every game to save some energy for the playoffs, especially given his injury situation.

  A lot of people formed their opinions of Rondo during the 07-08 season and haven't really changed their thoughts.

[ejk3489]

+1

But I'd rather have him do what he does and take a couple days off mentality in the regular season than in the playoffs. And as we know he brings his A game in the playoffs and that is when it matters so I can't complain

But I have to wonder where this belief that he can turn it on and bring his A game whenever he wants comes from. I have read it on here often.

He was awful against Orlando and extra awful against LA in the finals last year. He ate up the two teams that had no point guard to put against him.

The second half of game seven in LA they doubled up on PP and KG and left rondo and ray to beat them. Ray was off and rondo was petrified to attack go to the hole and get fouled. There was a reason Kobe had 15 boards.

Those teams also have Dwight Howard and Bynum/Gasol aka the twin towers in the paint. I'm sure that had some effect on him. (even though I wouldn't call him awful in either series, but ineffective in some ways)

If teams are daring him to attack he needs to make them pay. Hes far too hesitant to attack the basket and draw fouls, while players like Rose will relish that opportunity and immediately drive into the lane while Rondo just stands there or bricks the open jumper.

That's kinda funny considering one of Rose's biggest flaws coming into the season was avoiding contact and getting fouled. But he has gotten better at it.