Rondo making a late case for MVP?

[BballTim]

I like Rondo, but his season isn't anywhere close to MVP worthy.

Agreed.  I just found it surprising that he was even in the Top 10 for the award according to the author.

  He was top 2-3 in those lists before the foot/hamstring issues but he's been in and out of the top 10 for much of the year (at least when I've checked), same with espn's list. He's been in a slump but he's still (at worst arguably) the best defender and passer out of all point guards and a top 3 or so rebounder.

[Boris Badenov]

I don't put much stock into Power Rankings, or anything like that, but I find them fun to read sometimes.  With that said, I was pleasantly surprised to see Rondo showing up still as an MVP candidate.

I know he won't be able to push past the major MVP candidates, but I just read on NBA.com an article, and the author put Rondo in 9th for MVP.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/04/01/race-to-the-mvp-week-23/index.html

I feel like I should quote myself again.  Post was merely to point out that someone on NBA.com thinks Rondo is in the MVP discussion (despite being a fringe candidate at best)  Not saying Rondo should be considered for MVP above LeBron, Howard, or Rose.

I for one understood you perfectly well...just having a little fun on what is otherwise a mildly depressing day.

For what it's worth, there are actually now two "sign Sheed" threads in the top 10 forum topics. Wow.

[18isGREATERthan72]

I like Rondo, but his season isn't anywhere close to MVP worthy.

Agreed.  I just found it surprising that he was even in the Top 10 for the award according to the author.

  He was top 2-3 in those lists before the foot/hamstring issues but he's been in and out of the top 10 for much of the year (at least when I've checked), same with espn's list. He's been in a slump but he's still (at worst arguably) the best defender and passer out of all point guards and a top 3 or so rebounder.

He was definitely a candidate to start the season.  I was a little surprised that he is still considered in the Top 10 for it though.  With his recent slump, I thought he probably played his way out of it, but apparently not.

[PosImpos]

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


Seriously?

[ejk3489]

I don't put much stock into Power Rankings, or anything like that, but I find them fun to read sometimes.  With that said, I was pleasantly surprised to see Rondo showing up still as an MVP candidate.

I know he won't be able to push past the major MVP candidates, but I just read on NBA.com an article, and the author put Rondo in 9th for MVP.

http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/04/01/race-to-the-mvp-week-23/index.html

I feel like I should quote myself again.  Post was merely to point out that someone on NBA.com thinks Rondo is in the MVP discussion (despite being a fringe candidate at best)  Not saying Rondo should be considered for MVP above LeBron, Howard, or Rose.

Yeah, I don't think many people actually read your post. Just saw the title and jumped to conclusions...

[KungPoweChicken]

Rondo hasn't even played like a top 10 point guard this year, never mind a top 10 MVP. Imagine if Paul Pierce, in his prime, got the kind of mainstream appeal Rondo gets.

Seriously?  He's led the league in Assists for almost the entire season, and has been near the top of the league in Steals all season, and you don't think he's a Top 10 PG?

I'd like to hear the 10 Point Guards that are better than Rondo.

Currently, Nash, Rose, Wall, Westbrook, Paul, Williams, Parker, and Kidd are all better than Rondo. I think Rondo belongs in the tier with Jennings and Curry.

[rtifishul]

Rondo hasn't even played like a top 10 point guard this year, never mind a top 10 MVP. Imagine if Paul Pierce, in his prime, got the kind of mainstream appeal Rondo gets.

Seriously?  He's led the league in Assists for almost the entire season, and has been near the top of the league in Steals all season, and you don't think he's a Top 10 PG?

I'd like to hear the 10 Point Guards that are better than Rondo.

Currently, Nash, Rose, Wall, Westbrook, Paul, Williams, Parker, and Kidd are all better than Rondo. I think Rondo belongs in the tier with Jennings and Curry.

There is no way Rondo is in the same league as Jennings and Curry. Leading the league in assists and steals during the season makes him an elite point guard.
This blog is absurd sometimes.

[KungPoweChicken]

Rondo hasn't even played like a top 10 point guard this year, never mind a top 10 MVP. Imagine if Paul Pierce, in his prime, got the kind of mainstream appeal Rondo gets.

Seriously?  He's led the league in Assists for almost the entire season, and has been near the top of the league in Steals all season, and you don't think he's a Top 10 PG?

I'd like to hear the 10 Point Guards that are better than Rondo.

Currently, Nash, Rose, Wall, Westbrook, Paul, Williams, Parker, and Kidd are all better than Rondo. I think Rondo belongs in the tier with Jennings and Curry.

There is no way Rondo is in the same league as Jennings and Curry. Leading the league in assists and steals during the season makes him an elite point guard.
This blog is absurd sometimes.

Why does leading in assists and steals have to make him an "elite" point guard? He is also the worst free throw shooter, the leader in turnovers, not a threat shooting the ball, and has seen his stats decrease from last year in many important areas besides assists. There's more to the game than getting assists and steals. Curry is a very complete player, Rondo is not.

[dtrader]

Rondo hasn't even played like a top 10 point guard this year, never mind a top 10 MVP. Imagine if Paul Pierce, in his prime, got the kind of mainstream appeal Rondo gets.

Seriously?  He's led the league in Assists for almost the entire season, and has been near the top of the league in Steals all season, and you don't think he's a Top 10 PG?

I'd like to hear the 10 Point Guards that are better than Rondo.

Currently, Nash, Rose, Wall, Westbrook, Paul, Williams, Parker, and Kidd are all better than Rondo. I think Rondo belongs in the tier with Jennings and Curry.

There is no way Rondo is in the same league as Jennings and Curry. Leading the league in assists and steals during the season makes him an elite point guard.
This blog is absurd sometimes.

Being the league leader in steals and Assists AT THE END OF THE SEASON would be great...not many do that. Rondo however isn't CURRENTLY leading the league in steals OR assists..he's second to CP3 and Nash. The reason he's no longer first, is that he's been playing worse of late....I don't see how playing worse as the season goes on coincides with a late case for MVP =/

[18isGREATERthan72]

Rondo hasn't even played like a top 10 point guard this year, never mind a top 10 MVP. Imagine if Paul Pierce, in his prime, got the kind of mainstream appeal Rondo gets.

Seriously?  He's led the league in Assists for almost the entire season, and has been near the top of the league in Steals all season, and you don't think he's a Top 10 PG?

I'd like to hear the 10 Point Guards that are better than Rondo.

Currently, Nash, Rose, Wall, Westbrook, Paul, Williams, Parker, and Kidd are all better than Rondo. I think Rondo belongs in the tier with Jennings and Curry.

Nash doesn't play defense.
Rose yes.
Wall is barely shooting 40%, is turnover prone, and isn't even high on the steals list anymore.
Westbrook yes.
Paul yes.
Williams yes.
Parker is close to the same.
Kidd no way.  Shooting 36% for the season, is rebounding the same as Rondo, has less assists.

That is just looking at it statistically.  Watching those players play, I'd say the only ones who are clearly ahead of Rondo are Rose Westbrook and Williams.  Rondo and CP3 are pretty level.

Saying Rondo is on par with Brandon Jennings and Steph Curry is just as insane as saying he's MVP.

[ben_from_boston]

Some of you occasional Celticsblog visitors may be feeling confused by this post in the context of those from the last month or so (actual post titles below):

"Rondo is Overrated"
"So, everybody still in love with Rondo???"
"Mentally Checked Out Rondo"
"Rondo needs to be shopped in the off-season"

For such visitors, here is a handy guide to player evaluation, Celticsblog style:

Player X has 4-5 bad games: recommend that we trade/cut Player X immediately, replace with Sheed (if big), Gerald Green/James Posey (if small).

Player X has 1 bad game: speculate that Player is X (a) secretly hurt, (b) coasting in regular season, (c) tanking because of Perkins trade.

Player X has string of games at career averages: no discussion.

Player X has 1 good game: speculate that player is (a) finally getting healthy, (b) gearing up for playoffs, (c) finally getting over Perkins trade.

Player X has 2-3 good games: begin MVP/All-Star discussions.

Player X has 4-5 good games: HOF discussions begin in earnest. State categorically that we should not trade Player X for CP3/Lebron/Howard, etc.

This is hilarious. Nicely done.

[18isGREATERthan72]

Rondo hasn't even played like a top 10 point guard this year, never mind a top 10 MVP. Imagine if Paul Pierce, in his prime, got the kind of mainstream appeal Rondo gets.

Seriously?  He's led the league in Assists for almost the entire season, and has been near the top of the league in Steals all season, and you don't think he's a Top 10 PG?

I'd like to hear the 10 Point Guards that are better than Rondo.

Currently, Nash, Rose, Wall, Westbrook, Paul, Williams, Parker, and Kidd are all better than Rondo. I think Rondo belongs in the tier with Jennings and Curry.

There is no way Rondo is in the same league as Jennings and Curry. Leading the league in assists and steals during the season makes him an elite point guard.
This blog is absurd sometimes.

Why does leading in assists and steals have to make him an "elite" point guard? He is also the worst free throw shooter, the leader in turnovers, not a threat shooting the ball, and has seen his stats decrease from last year in many important areas besides assists. There's more to the game than getting assists and steals. Curry is a very complete player, Rondo is not.

He's not leading the league in Turnovers?

[rtifishul]

Curry is not a more complete player, sorry. I've never even seen him bend his legs to defend someone.

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/210586/The_Rondo_Paradox

Maybe his FT shooting is bad right now, but I wouldn't trade this guy for any other PG in the league.

[jv2764]

Curry is not a more complete player, sorry. I've never even seen him bend his legs to defend someone.

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/210586/The_Rondo_Paradox

Maybe his FT shooting is bad right now, but I wouldn't trade this guy for any other PG in the league.

Thank God youre not the GM of the Celtics then.  Give me Deron Williams or Chris Paul or Derek Rose or Russell Westbrook and I will drive Rondo to the airport

[jv2764]

Curry is not a more complete player, sorry. I've never even seen him bend his legs to defend someone.

http://basketball.realgm.com/article/210586/The_Rondo_Paradox

Maybe his FT shooting is bad right now, but I wouldn't trade this guy for any other PG in the league.

Maybe his free throw shooting is bad right now? Maybe just maybe Charlie Sheen is a train wreck as well