Who else is torn?

[dtrader]

I maybe the only one not torn at all..I would take Rondo over CP every day of the week and twice on Tuesdays. I am not a homer. He is a true point that thinks pass first pass second and then score if needed. He is a far superior defensive player and the best rebounder at his position this league has seen in decades. He has a ring and gets his team to the playoffs and causes match up issues especially with the lakers..CP would not do that as even at his advanced age Derek Fisher could still cover him adequately and there would never be the need for Kobe to switch off on defense as we have seen in the past.. ( i know the world is not the Lakers)...plus the kid is super tuff..where i doubt Cp's tenacity. I don't think this should be a discussion. But as said in the minority on many issues with the Celtics as i would rather see Chandler in green over Howard as well.

Can Rondo score 'if needed'? Isn't the problem with him that we need him to score when he is given open jumpers?

I also see no reason to believe that Paul couldn't do the same thing offensively if he was as shooting impaired as Rondo. And how is Rondo a problem for the Lakers? They put Fisher on Ray Allen, not on Rondo. They put Kobe on Rondo and Kobe cheats off of him, making their defense easier.

For me, Rondo's defense is what makes a trade a difficult decision. Paul is also an elite passer so I don't see much of a difference there. Paul has averaged 11.6 APG in a season, more than Rondo ever has. Rondo beat Paul by only about 1 APG last season, a season where Paul lacked complimentary players. Paul also did it last season with almost 1 less TO per game. For all of the Rondo rebounding talk, Paul averages more RPG.

I am not impressed by Paul having more Steals per game than Rondo since steals are a poor measure of defensive ability. Guards can sometimes get a lot of steals while playing bad team defense. On the other hand, I think that it is easy for us to undervalue Paul's defense because of how elite Rondo is.

Ultimately, isn't the move about the reality that with Rondo, we have nothing after this season? Once the big 3 are out of the equation, Rondo will likely be a pathetic core for a team. He will get upset that he is being exposed on offense while surrounded by subpar players and will eventually demand a trade to a team that can exploit his passing ability better and where he can hide his shooting ability.

Exactly.  The main thing about the rondo/cp3 trade, isnt whether or not Rondo or CP3 is better with who we have NOW...it's who will be better at building a team around in the future.  With Rondo, I think you need to have a team of elite scorers around him to have success.  With CP3, you have more flexibility in what players you surround him with.

Also...Rondo is NOT a better finisher than Deron Williams.  He's probably a better finisher than CP3, but I think Deron finishes stronger and takes contact better than anyone aside from D. Rose.  Deron also has the best crossover out of all 3.

[indeedproceed]

Paul is one of the top two defensive PGs in the NBA.

Meh. Top 5. Lowry, Rondo are both better.

[BigGovy]

See here is where i would disagree strongly..when on a weaker team your numbers are inflated. Anyone think Chris Kaman was the best rebounder in the game? I also think you have seen the peak of CP's game personally ( once on a better team of course he will be a better player) Rondo;s offensive game can grow. Dr J had no outside game when coming over from the ABA..he then developed a bank shot then a legitimate 18 footer. And i truly think that Rondo is head in shoulders above him defensively..but once again just my opinion.

[BigGovy]

i will add this..if the idea is to get Howard into the Green then CP would be a much better point option than Rondo as Superman is still offensively deficient at times and a scoring point would fit that equation better

[wdleehi]

See here is where i would disagree strongly..when on a weaker team your numbers are inflated. Anyone think Chris Kaman was the best rebounder in the game? I also think you have seen the peak of CP's game personally ( once on a better team of course he will be a better player) Rondo;s offensive game can grow. Dr J had no outside game when coming over from the ABA..he then developed a bank shot then a legitimate 18 footer. And i truly think that Rondo is head in shoulders above him defensively..but once again just my opinion.

They are close to the same age.  Why will Rondo's game improve but Paul's game not? 

[33_Larry Legend_33]

I like Rondo, but I think he pretty much is what he is.  I don't view him as a "face of the franchise" type of player, and wonder if there is more to this "attitude" stuff that seems to have swirled around him, all the way back to his days with Kentucky.  If we could get Paul, being the first domino to drop for other moves to take this team forward following the KG/Ray/Pierce era then I'd be all for it.

[SHAQATTACK]

CP3 is somebody that to quote C. Barkley ,  can "MAKE A SHOT" ,  he rarely throws up a brick.  When a team is under pressure and needs a 10-15 ft jumper "TO GO DOWN" .. he can get this done!!!
Can you imagine having CP3 running the team with RAY ALLEN  as shooting guard ? who do you guard?  mix that in with a couple bigs down low ....and buddy thats hard to stop.  

WE NEED CP3 to beat  "DA BULL" s........ the Boston and Chicago playoffs would be awesome.

Look I'm telling ya ...........Rondo has to go.....

[Roy H.]

I'm a bit torn about giving up Rondo, two #1s, and Jeff Green for Chris Paul without him agreeing to an extension.  If Paul bolts, we could go into a long rebuild period, those two #1s could be lottery picks.  Hopefully there's some heavy protection on them.

[SHAQATTACK]

We may finally have the upper hand for once ...or at LONG SHOT at another long awaited Celtic Dynasty .   With KG and PP aging fast we need a "BIG SHOT" in the arm to get the machine rolling on the right course.  If betting , IF CP3 comes ......he stays , it snowballs into something really big for Boston...a chance to make LA drool with envy..


Rondo was the right man at the right time we needed an unselfish non shooting hero , who could pass the ball with the younger KG /PP/Allen ....  

That time has come and gone....time to regroup around another PRUE LEADER on the court .....CP3