Boston send: Rondo - J. O'Neal - 1st 2011
GSW send: Biedrins - Udoh - Curry
Maybe we must add something, but basically this is the trade that i have in my mind. My question is, can Rondo become a shooter? I think that at this point the big three needs a real shooter next to them, someone who can get constantly the open shots that they generate when doubled, and Curry can be this man and a lot more.
The other two are young and athletic and they add depth to our front-line.
GS can get a young star with a ring, who can teach them how to win it and that can bring them to another level.
The big three need exactly what they get with Rondo on the floor, running the offense and making passes. KG had the 3rd highest TS% of his career, Ray the 2nd highest, and PP (and Shaq) had the highest TS% of their careers. People talk about how hard it is for the guys on offense because of Rondo, when the reality is that they're getting easier shots and better looks at the basket than they ever did. I don't see the point in sacrificing that to get better outside shooting from a point guard.
I agree with you that we shouldn't give up Rondo for just any point guard with a good jumpshot. What Rondo can do for this team (or any team you put around him) is very valuable indeed. I think it's worth noting, however, that in the last couple of seasons it's become increasingly evident that the Big 3 need a better scorer on the floor with them in the starting lineup to supplement their offense (especially late in games when things get tight).
That scoring needs to come from either the point guard or center position -- unless you play small-ball and that scoring comes from a tweener like Jeff Green. I think the ideal would be that the scoring would come from a guy who can generate baskets inside at the center position (like Shaq did early last season). That would really balance out our offense and give us a look we've rarely seen in this era. However, it's very hard to get that sort of player. It is, however, fairly easy these days to find point guards who have a talent for scoring the basketball, since that seems to be the new prototype for a point guard.
After the Big 3 have retired, I think it will be more crucial than ever to have a player running the team who can carry a large part of the scoring load. This is not something Rondo can do, nor is it something he has demonstrated an aptitude for. Yes, you can point to his scoring totals in recent post-seasons, but there's a reason he only plays that way in the playoffs. It's an unsustainable playing style for him because it requires him to sacrifice so much of his energy and his body doing it. Bottom line: without a fluid, reliable outside shot Rondo is not the sort of player who can carry an offensive load.
That doesn't mean he isn't a fantastic floor general; he is certainly an ideal point guard to have on a team filled with great scorers. My main point is that Rondo is no longer as great a fit for the Celtics as he once was because they need things from him they didn't need before as a result of the aging of the Big 3.
All of this is a long-winded way of saying that there are definitely very compelling reasons to trade Rondo for a point guard (or other ball-handler) who can distribute while also creating a large number of shots individually, because the team apparently has a need for that sort of player now, and will absolutely need that sort of player in the future.
Topic: Another BOS - GSW (Read 3979 times)