Why is Doc hesitant to bench Rondo?

[winsomme]

No, he isn't back. VERY uneven game, with some really poor, ball-stopping play with poor decisions at the point in the first half.

Second half was better - uneven but better. Maybe someday he'll start to attack the defense consistently, including when he's sitting out there at 18 feet alone, instead of launching a shot he's not going to make.

We can't win a title with tonight's Rondo. Closer, but not good enough. Limit the bad decisions, attack with the basketball and play consistently on the other end - all things he's capable of - and we can.

second half was very much what we need from Rondo. If he plays like that, we are pretty set at the PG position.

I'm not really worried about Rondo.

[CoachBo]

Depends on which one shows up. Consistency has never been one of his hallmarks.

[IrishGreen]

Totally disagree. He was terrible in the first half, better at times in the second.

But not good enough, not close to the level he's played at in the playoffs the last two years.

Passive Rondo equals losses for this team.

How can honestly say he was passive? Did you see some of his hustle plays?

[CoachBo]

Chasing the basketball has nothing to do with the flow of the offense.

For this offense to succeed, Rondo HAS to be aggressive with the basketball. Not once a quarter. Not twice a half. Most of the time.

Instead, he's fiddling with the basketball - as were West and Arroyo - in the first half, killing the ball movement and the motion offense. The point guard play in the first half was atrocious, and played a big role in the stagnant offense. Clearly, Doc saw that and hopped on Rondo at intermission, because he did a better job attacking with the ball in the second half. Not good enough, because he's a talented enough passer to attack the defense EVERY time and make something happen, rather than launching a jumper that's not going to go in.

Cannot have it. He has to play more aggressively with the basketball for this offense to succeed. Mildly encouraged by the second half, but he's been way off for so long that I'm going to need to see a prolonged stretch of aggressiveness to feel good about the playoffs.

[cman88]

all the starters were fiddling in the first half...so I wouldnt use that to put as why hes "not good"

he had some great drives to the hoop and layups in the 2nd half...and I expect thats the rondo we'll see in the playoffs...and the 2nd half tonite is what well see in the playoffs...its like they just flipped some switch

I suspect he/the rest of the starters are saving their bodies for the playoffs. while still pulling off the wins when they need to

[CoachBo]

Agreed, defensively speaking. We saw the difference when the true anchor of the Celtics' interior, Garnett, went to work on one of the best and most mobile offensive bigs in the game.

At the 5, we're like a baseball manager using situational lefties against specific hitters. But I suspect we're going to be just fine with Garnett defending at that high of a level.

As for Rondo, I hope you're right. He is a great point when he's attacking with the basketball, and extremely ordinary when he is not, as we've seen int he last couple of weeks. And you can't blame aggression on a finger injury.

Pretty clearly, Doc had a visit with him at halftime, because his play was significantly elevated in the second half. Needs to keep elevating it.

[dysgenic]

Agreed, defensively speaking. We saw the difference when the true anchor of the Celtics' interior, Garnett, went to work on one of the best and most mobile offensive bigs in the game.

At the 5, we're like a baseball manager using situational lefties against specific hitters. But I suspect we're going to be just fine with Garnett defending at that high of a level.

As for Rondo, I hope you're right. He is a great point when he's attacking with the basketball, and extremely ordinary when he is not, as we've seen int he last couple of weeks. And you can't blame aggression on a finger injury.

Pretty clearly, Doc had a visit with him at halftime, because his play was significantly elevated in the second half. Needs to keep elevating it.

I hear you on the offensive end.  Defensively, I thought he was very good in the 2nd half...encouraging, but not encouraging, because you KNOW he is capable of doing it all the time, but he doesn't.  I'm frustrated with him, too.

[Megatron]

We have to do something about these Rondo jumpshots, it seems to be his main go to move now, and its a weakness not a strength, that isnt a good sign.

[dasani]

these threads need to stop.

[jaser]

The guy is clearly beat up and beat up badly, knick knack injuries are building up on him.

Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Sprain
Knee
Pinkie injury
Hamstring
Mental Injury (Perkins trade)

Rondo in this injured state is detrimental to this team, he needs rest.

I dont get it. If KG breaks a nail or someone scratches him, Doc benches him for a minimum of 2 weeks.

Yet he refuses to sit Rondo and get him some much needed rest.

Delonte is more then capable of running this team, he is the best back-up point guard in the league in my opinion.

Arroyo will make due as Delontes back-up.

If the argument is that we need the #1 seed, I dont see how Rondo is helping us get that, hes not making us better at the moment, hes making us worse, so sitting him for a few weeks, or a few games at least, will only improve the team.

WHY DO YOU HATE RONDO SOOOO MUCH?

[dmopower]

Rondo has been playing without passion most of the time since Perkins was traded. I am not saying that he is doing it on pourpose, Passion and intensity are different things.Intensity can be turned on, passion is in the heart!

I would have had a talk with him much sooner than this, he has needed it.

He has to attack the basket weather he makes a play or just to keep the defenders uneasy and to make the other defensive players turn their head, this gives Paul, Ray, KG, Whoever  an advantage. I personaly like it when he prods on the break and runs under the hoop to the other side of the court, a large curl. This makes every defender turn their head and we get good shots from this.

I would think that Perkins would even be dissapointed in his recent play.
 
I hope he returns to his old self soon!

We dont get out of the east with Rondo playing at this level.

[coco]

I think Doc could learn from GPopovich. Pops limits minutes regardless of score.

I think Rondo played too many minutes.  We have now two capable backup PGs, it is time to get ready for a long playoff run.

[BballTim]

Agreed, defensively speaking. We saw the difference when the true anchor of the Celtics' interior, Garnett, went to work on one of the best and most mobile offensive bigs in the game.

At the 5, we're like a baseball manager using situational lefties against specific hitters. But I suspect we're going to be just fine with Garnett defending at that high of a level.

As for Rondo, I hope you're right. He is a great point when he's attacking with the basketball, and extremely ordinary when he is not, as we've seen int he last couple of weeks. And you can't blame aggression on a finger injury.

Pretty clearly, Doc had a visit with him at halftime, because his play was significantly elevated in the second half. Needs to keep elevating it.

  One would think that the plantar fasciatis or ankle issues he is/was having would affect his aggressiveness more than a finger injury. His play has been steadily improving since the Rockets game. If he's healthy enough for the playoffs we'll be in good shape.

[2short]

Keys to last nights win
kg
rondo
pp 4th quarter

I would love for rondo to take a game off, dwest didn't look good last night, arroyo maybe because of pt hasn't looked good but 1 game.  When rondo wasn't in the team looked worse hence why he has to play through all the minor injuries.  I'm sure if you asked the team at least 50% of the guys have something not 100%.

Its funny with all the talk about we should have traded rondo, bench him etc etc
I must have lost it because I look at our team for the season and can't come up with the mvp of the team ( which makes me think we have a TEAM)
but mvp kg, pp or rondo
all have played great, good and poor I for one cannot pick a certain mvp, we need all 3 of those guys playing at their best to win #18

[Chris]

I think Doc could learn from GPopovich. Pops limits minutes regardless of score.

I think Rondo played too many minutes.  We have now two capable backup PGs, it is time to get ready for a long playoff run.

Well, ever since Timmy has started getting up there in age, Doc's use of his players has been much more effective than Popovic's. 

Everyone points to Pop's minute management, but really, ever since his players have started to get beyond their absolute peak, the limited minutes have not been able to help keep them fresh and healthy for the playoffs.

Doc on the other hand has gotten his team (which is just as old, if not older) to the finals 2 of the last 3 years.

So, I think Doc's way of stretching guys out in the regular season, with strategic rest mixed in could arguably be more effective to preparing guys for the rigors of the playoffs better than playing guys short minutes all season, and then expecting them to be able to suddenly turn it up during the playoffs with no ill effects.