"You have to take that shot"

[ballin]

Lastly, even if you were to assume for the sake of the argument that the situation was analogous, deep 2-points are still the least efficient shot in basketball

Context matters.  According to work presented at the Sloan Conference, a strongly contested layup is worth about as much as a wide-open 19-footer.  Rondo may be less likely to make the long two, but he's also less likely to make free throws if fouled on a tightly-defended layup.

Working the ball around and getting a wide-open deep 2-pointer for a good shooter like a Pierce or Allen is probably a more efficient shot than dumping the ball inside for an average big man to post up against an average defender.

I agree totally with what you saying.

A Pierce or Ray Allen deep 2 is definitely more efficient than, say, Krstic in the post or Davis with a contested layup. Context is highly relevant, I agree.

But also consider Rondo's uncanny finishing ability at the rim... I'd rather him take one of those crazy, off-the-glass shots that he makes more often than not than having HIM take an uncontested jumpshot.

This isn't a Rondo-bashing thread... it's in fact the opposite. I suggest to everyone that Rondo is so good he can almost always find something more efficient than one of his uncontested jumpshots.

[GreenEnvy]

Besides the quality of the shot, you have to take into account how he was playing.

Melo was incredibly hot in Game 2 and passed up, meaning whoever was taking that shot, whether it is ice-cold Bill Walker, always-cold Jared Jeffries, or one of the other streaky guys, he was the best option considering he was hitting circus shots all night.

In Game 1, he was the one that was ice-cold and threw up a poor, contested shot.

IMO, he was wrong in both scenarios. And I hope that trend continues.

[willis33]

Completely taking out any shot with the clock under 6 seconds, "You have to take that shot" should never ever apply to a point guard.  Or I should say the teams "point" player, as some teams will always cycle the ball through a certain player whether it's a forward, center or guard.  Their main focus should be getting teammates involved, drawing the D, etc.

I would like to say I generally cringe when I see Rajon squaring up for a shot, however I understand it.  Number 1 reason he shoots by the way is because Doc wants him to.  He knows how important it is to try and keep that defender close.  Does Doc think he'll just start randomly shooting lights out and nobody will ever play off him?  NO.  It's part of the development.  It's for the years down the road, when they don't have Paul, Ray and KG.  He also knows how competitive Rajon is and that he's gonna keep working on that on the off season and will be even better next year and the year after and so on.

Secondly, I've noticed, when his teammates aren't working around him he shoots more.  If he notices he's not getting the movement he wants he'll dribble up the next possession quickly to see if anyone is moving and shoot.  Kinda trying to wake them up.  It's well documented he doesn't care about scoring.  But he knows Paul and Ray do and when they see him taking "their" shots they know it's time to get open.  Not saying they are selfish, everyone on the team knows it's better when anyone but Rondo is taking jumpers at this point.  I'm saying it's more of a "wake up and move guys"

I'd also like to add that you shouldn't be comparing taking jumpers to when he drives to the hoop.  That has nothing to do with if the opposite guard is playing off him.  It has to do with where the big men are.  He'll take his man to the hoop all game long if it's open like he did game 2.  But if the center and pf are cheating over to the paint he's not going in there.  He doesn't have the size or leaping ability to go over or through two bigs consistently.  And sadly yes, there are times you can tell he's not going for contact because of FT's, gogo jab step.  I personally hope he works on a bank shot too this off season. They are so much easier to make from 15 feet in then straight jumpers.

[Yogi]

   The long term also has to consider.  Young Rondo is adding to his game so he can become a better player.  While it might be true that he can make some floater or draw the foul more efficiently than he can shoot (I am not saying that it is,) it is better in the long run if he keeps taking that shot until he feels comfortable so it can develop into a legit weapon.  That would improve not just Rondo but also the other 4 guys because defenders would not be able to cheat off him. 
   Look at another more extreme case.  Derrick Rose sometimes seems unstoppable when he attacks the rim.  He can contort, leap and spin the ball into the basket over multiple defenders, but that didn't stop him from developing a jump shot and a 3 point shot.  That's part of the reason why he's the favorite for MVP.  If Rondo develops a consistent jump shot, he'll pretty much be the MVP.

[CelticHooligan3]

There's a really simple answer for this... It's basketball/coach speak but as I've heard drilled into my head from numerous coaches over time "it keeps the other team honest".

Simple as that. "It keeps the other team honest".

He needs to take and make this shot to prevent defenses from doing what we've seen them doing more and more regularly. That's sag off Rondo and help on our bigs our shooters or generally try to disrupt the passing lanes.

If he hits even a few of these it would go a long way in preventing the defensive sag that is so common nowadays against the C's.

So I guess the point I'm trying to make is YES he needs to take this shot. But YES he also needs to hit this shot. Or at least make a decent percent.

[timpiker]

I am sick and tired of the cliche as well.  This kid has proven, NO, he does not have to take the shot.  I think its good he does and maybe goes 2 for 2 from 15 ft out.  That is perfect for him because I know his assists and layups will be just fine, thank you very much.

[Tommy Point God]

Rondo's not hesitating at all to take that shot. This is what the c's have been lacking. he's uncontainable right now and can help lead this team.

[2008 + 2011 Champions]

Rondo's creeping back in for discussion as not just one of best point guards, but best players in the playoffs when he plays like this. anyone else notice how high up he is on the list of playoff triple doubles already? He's like 5 or 6

[BudweiserCeltic]

I like him take him these kinds of shots, but I hesitate by the amount of times he's taken them and when he's taking them. I prefer when he doesn't do it early in the shot clock. I prefer when he doesn't use the pull up jumper when you have Ray Allen trailing for an open 3 in transition. I would prefer if he used the space to attack the paint instead of just shooting it everytime the shot is there. I would like to see him do a give and go more often. I prefer for him to move the ball when he's had 2 or 3 possessions in a row in which he has shot the ball.

But I've been pleased to a good degree with him taking the jump shot. I still think he's missing our perimeter players too often and giving them the ball too late, which is outstanding considering the display the team put in the last game.