Hoping Rondo has worked to improve weaknesses

[GreenEnvy]

I think his form on any shot is simply inconsistent. Jumpers are excusable because of the many factors involved (defense, range, balance, etc.), but to be not only a poor FT-shooter, but a downright awful one is inexcusable.

He doesn't have to turn into Ray at the stripe, but get to 70% to keep the defenses honest knowing there is a chance he can hit them both. Everyone is now more surprised at him making both than making none, and that is sad for anyone, let alone a guard.

I hope he worked on it and I want to believe he did, but we won't know until the season starts. Him confident at the line will open up his penetration because he was clearly unwilling to take contact last year because of his struggles at the line.

His goal this year should be 8 FTA/g.

[deekhead]

I was watching the comcast celtics preview over the weekend and I remember Rajon Rondo being asked by Greg Dickerson what he thought he needed to improve on for this year and I don't remember what exactly he said anymore (stuff about staying healthy this year) but one thing that really stuck out to me was he didn't mention free throws or a jumpshot. Now, it seems like Rajon's done a bit of maturing but hearing him kind of avoid that his free throws and shooting need improvement did not seem like great sign (of course it means nothing until he actually plays but still). Idk I just hope he can improve from last year and at least get to like 68-69% this year from the line so that theres at least a chance he can drive to the hoop to create offense at the end of games. What do y'all think is there any hope?

Rondo is simply incapable of assessing and articulating his own weaknesses, much less being able to address and fix them. He is that self-unaware.

In AA, a crucial first step toward sobriety is the "fearless self-inventory."

Rondo never gets past that step in realistically assessing his basketball skill set. He can't do it. Like the alcoholic, he will need to "hit bottom first" before he can put his game together (if ever) and he is a very long ways away from that.

DH

[bruinsandceltics]

Seriously, if you make it to the pros, you should be able to hit a free throw 70 percent of the time.

I will be THROUGHLY disappointed if he hasn't improved his free throw percentage this year.

No one is asking for a Ray Allen type performance.

[ianboyextreme]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5VUiIO-ue4&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Man I know I am not biased, this guy is the best point guard, sorry he just is. Dont know why people always forget this stuff.

[Kiorrik]

I was watching the comcast celtics preview over the weekend and I remember Rajon Rondo being asked by Greg Dickerson what he thought he needed to improve on for this year and I don't remember what exactly he said anymore (stuff about staying healthy this year) but one thing that really stuck out to me was he didn't mention free throws or a jumpshot. Now, it seems like Rajon's done a bit of maturing but hearing him kind of avoid that his free throws and shooting need improvement did not seem like great sign (of course it means nothing until he actually plays but still). Idk I just hope he can improve from last year and at least get to like 68-69% this year from the line so that theres at least a chance he can drive to the hoop to create offense at the end of games. What do y'all think is there any hope?

Rondo is simply incapable of assessing and articulating his own weaknesses, much less being able to address and fix them. He is that self-unaware.

In AA, a crucial first step toward sobriety is the "fearless self-inventory."

Rondo never gets past that step in realistically assessing his basketball skill set. He can't do it. Like the alcoholic, he will need to "hit bottom first" before he can put his game together (if ever) and he is a very long ways away from that.

DH

I think you're wrong about him not knowing himself. The problem is rather that he does. He knows he's bad at certain things, and thus avoids them altogether, and focuses on what he's good at.

Though we can only hope that's what he does *on* the court, and that off the court, he *does* practice those things.

[Dunn]

Rondo is good the way he is. Whatever you want him to be is irrelevant to what got him here. I know his 1st All Star appearance means little improvement to his obvious haters but it proves his drive.

[Zev Love X]

Rondo is good the way he is. Whatever you want him to be is irrelevant to what got him here. I know his 1st All Star appearance means little improvement to his obvious haters but it proves his drive.

lol everything we say here is irrelevant to how nba players got where they are, if you wanna go there. And yes, rondo's good the way he is, but the celtics need him to be great. I guess it makes people haters to point out a player's obvious flaws and hope that he can improve them...

[jc3celticsphan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5VUiIO-ue4&feature=endscreen&NR=1
Man I know I am not biased, this guy is the best point guard, sorry he just is. Dont know why people always forget this stuff.

cant believe they would trade this beast for a 1 season rental on chris paul. when we can have rondo longer

[MBz]

The problem has to be between his ears, if I had to bet he could go out and  shoot 100 FT's in practice and probably knock down 70 if not more.  He just needs to get his head on straight which may be a bigger problem then any of us are thinking.

[jambr380]

The problem has to be between his ears, if I had to bet he could go out and  shoot 100 FT's in practice and probably knock down 70 if not more.  He just needs to get his head on straight which may be a bigger problem then any of us are thinking.

I would bet he would knock down upwards of 90 / 100 in practice (my nephew who is in middle school could probably knock down 70). It is all about taking free throws during a game. His game is based on fluidity and quickness. He struggles when he has to slow things down and think about it - like free throws and jumpers with nobody around. If he can ever get by the mental aspect, he will be just fine. Let's just hope he doesn't turn into Nick Anderson.

[CelticG1]

Think about all the bashing Pierce used to take when it was him on a crappy team. Now think about if/when that happens to rondo, pretty scary thought. Some people act like the shooting isn't a big deal or even the free throws aren't a big deal. Well if Rondo wasn't playing with the players, my god would people look at him in a different light

[BballTim]

I was watching the comcast celtics preview over the weekend and I remember Rajon Rondo being asked by Greg Dickerson what he thought he needed to improve on for this year and I don't remember what exactly he said anymore (stuff about staying healthy this year) but one thing that really stuck out to me was he didn't mention free throws or a jumpshot. Now, it seems like Rajon's done a bit of maturing but hearing him kind of avoid that his free throws and shooting need improvement did not seem like great sign (of course it means nothing until he actually plays but still). Idk I just hope he can improve from last year and at least get to like 68-69% this year from the line so that theres at least a chance he can drive to the hoop to create offense at the end of games. What do y'all think is there any hope?

Rondo is simply incapable of assessing and articulating his own weaknesses, much less being able to address and fix them. He is that self-unaware.

In AA, a crucial first step toward sobriety is the "fearless self-inventory."

Rondo never gets past that step in realistically assessing his basketball skill set. He can't do it. Like the alcoholic, he will need to "hit bottom first" before he can put his game together (if ever) and he is a very long ways away from that.

DH

  Do people actually read what they're posting? Rondo's like an alcoholic? Wow. Just wow.

  And "hitting bottom" seems to include being one of the best players in the league at his position and a possible mvp candidate when he's healthy. If the big three could sink to the "bottom" as well we'd be close to unbeatable.

[jdz101]

Boston fans have the happy knack of taking something that's really really good, and doing nothing but focus on its one weakness.

Not every player is going to be the quality of a lebron or wade. Its just human nature to not be good at something and be great at others. Get over rondo's weakness, and appreciate how good he is.

[Cman]

I also don't get the preoccupation with Rondo and his shooting. Lots of players on the Cs have (non-injury related) issues with their game. Why aren't we harping on those?

Probably has something to do with those other players not being the celtics best player and the key to our chances at a championship

I disagree. From year one that Rondo played for the Celtics, every offseason there would be at least a thread, if not multiple, on the issue of Rondo and his shooting. The only thing that has changed is the tone of the threads. Initially it was "all Rondo needs to do is add a jumper this offseason, and he'll be the best PG in the league" . Now it is more like "Rondo, please please please add a jumper".

[CelticG1]

I was watching the comcast celtics preview over the weekend and I remember Rajon Rondo being asked by Greg Dickerson what he thought he needed to improve on for this year and I don't remember what exactly he said anymore (stuff about staying healthy this year) but one thing that really stuck out to me was he didn't mention free throws or a jumpshot. Now, it seems like Rajon's done a bit of maturing but hearing him kind of avoid that his free throws and shooting need improvement did not seem like great sign (of course it means nothing until he actually plays but still). Idk I just hope he can improve from last year and at least get to like 68-69% this year from the line so that theres at least a chance he can drive to the hoop to create offense at the end of games. What do y'all think is there any hope?

Rondo is simply incapable of assessing and articulating his own weaknesses, much less being able to address and fix them. He is that self-unaware.

In AA, a crucial first step toward sobriety is the "fearless self-inventory."

Rondo never gets past that step in realistically assessing his basketball skill set. He can't do it. Like the alcoholic, he will need to "hit bottom first" before he can put his game together (if ever) and he is a very long ways away from that.

DH

  Do people actually read what they're posting? Rondo's like an alcoholic? Wow. Just wow.

  And "hitting bottom" seems to include being one of the best players in the league at his position and a possible mvp candidate when he's healthy. If the big three could sink to the "bottom" as well we'd be close to unbeatable.

Rondo was an mvp candidate for like a month and a half. Lots of players can be considered MVP candidates for that short a period I don't know why you stick by this like it is some sort of accomplishment