Rondo's shooting: all psychological?

[Sketch5]

He seems to hit a lot of shots including 3's when time is running out. Which means when he doesn't have to think he's in a better flow with his shot.

Some of it is he just wants to pass first(not a bad thing to have for a point gaurd) and the first 5 years of his carrer he's had three very good elite players to have to get the ball to. So he really never got to develope a "in the game" shot. Never really new when to take a shot or pass to Ray or PP or KG. So he's a little behind, and Im sure some of it is psychological.

[cman88]

I thought his shot was nice last night. using screens to get open and knock it down.

If rondo can do that consistently as well as drive to the paint and draw fouls that will be a BIG boost to our team

[2short]

I like the way his shot is looking behind picks, much smoother.  If he can hit the open jumpers (remember how dj was so bad til the end of a game?) and improve ft to at least 70% he would/should be an mvp candidate.

[bfrombleacher]

When I watched Rondo yesterday, I saw a lot of confidence in his shot that I have never seen before. Towards the end of his playing time he even begged for more free throws. Even though they didn't go in, he took more jumpers in the first preseason game, which to me says that he's comfortable with it.

Having a jumper would up Rondo's stock, shut up the detractors and extend his career.

Guess I'm way too optimistic and too much of a fanboy judging from the replies.

[deekhead]

When I watched Rondo yesterday, I saw a lot of confidence in his shot that I have never seen before. Towards the end of his playing time he even begged for more free throws. Even though they didn't go in, he took more jumpers in the first preseason game, which to me says that he's comfortable with it.

Having a jumper would up Rondo's stock, shut up the detractors and extend his career.

Guess I'm way too optimistic and too much of a fanboy judging from the replies.

This is not a kid who just signed a 10 day contract and is hoping to win another 10 day stay with the team if he impresses.

Rondo has played nearly 500 games and management knows what they have with him both on and off the court. 500 games is a whole lot of history.

My sense is that Rondo and management are both needing a change in employment arrangements for the good of everyone involved.

DH

[chambers]

When I watched Rondo yesterday, I saw a lot of confidence in his shot that I have never seen before. Towards the end of his playing time he even begged for more free throws. Even though they didn't go in, he took more jumpers in the first preseason game, which to me says that he's comfortable with it.

Having a jumper would up Rondo's stock, shut up the detractors and extend his career.

Guess I'm way too optimistic and too much of a fanboy judging from the replies.

This is not a kid who just signed a 10 day contract and is hoping to win another 10 day stay with the team if he impresses.

Rondo has played nearly 500 games and management knows what they have with him both on and off the court. 500 games is a whole lot of history.

My sense is that Rondo and management are both needing a change in employment arrangements for the good of everyone involved.

DH

Rondo wants to stay. You can see it in his pre season effort.
He loves the Celtics and he loves life in Boston. I think he realizes that his image took a bit of a hit with the fan base when he 'coasted' for half the season when Perk was traded.
He knows this is the last chance he has for a championship for quite some time and wants to prove himself.
He has obviously been practising his free throws and jumpshot- they have both changed form, particularly his free throw routine.
It's possible that although being true, a lot of these trade rumours have been escalated to inform Rondo that he is always on the trading block and that he isn't the golden boy of the franchise. It's a great way of keeping players in check.

[Celtics4ever]

He has the classic big hands syndrome.   I for one do not believe in it but many think that those with big hands cannot shoot well.   

[celtics2]

until Rondo learns to hit the outside shot teams will double. he has cost many games. and what's a penetrator good for if he can't hit foul shots. I expect the knicks to play well and shut us down .

[BballTim]

When I watched Rondo yesterday, I saw a lot of confidence in his shot that I have never seen before. Towards the end of his playing time he even begged for more free throws. Even though they didn't go in, he took more jumpers in the first preseason game, which to me says that he's comfortable with it.

Having a jumper would up Rondo's stock, shut up the detractors and extend his career.

Guess I'm way too optimistic and too much of a fanboy judging from the replies.

This is not a kid who just signed a 10 day contract and is hoping to win another 10 day stay with the team if he impresses.

Rondo has played nearly 500 games and management knows what they have with him both on and off the court. 500 games is a whole lot of history.

My sense is that Rondo and management are both needing a change in employment arrangements for the good of everyone involved.

DH

  What they get from him is great defense from a point guard that can run an offense and pass the ball as well as any player in the league.

[deekhead]

When I watched Rondo yesterday, I saw a lot of confidence in his shot that I have never seen before. Towards the end of his playing time he even begged for more free throws. Even though they didn't go in, he took more jumpers in the first preseason game, which to me says that he's comfortable with it.

Having a jumper would up Rondo's stock, shut up the detractors and extend his career.

Guess I'm way too optimistic and too much of a fanboy judging from the replies.

This is not a kid who just signed a 10 day contract and is hoping to win another 10 day stay with the team if he impresses.

Rondo has played nearly 500 games and management knows what they have with him both on and off the court. 500 games is a whole lot of history.

My sense is that Rondo and management are both needing a change in employment arrangements for the good of everyone involved.

DH

Rondo wants to stay. You can see it in his pre season effort.
He loves the Celtics and he loves life in Boston. I think he realizes that his image took a bit of a hit with the fan base when he 'coasted' for half the season when Perk was traded.
He knows this is the last chance he has for a championship for quite some time and wants to prove himself.
He has obviously been practising his free throws and jumpshot- they have both changed form, particularly his free throw routine.
It's possible that although being true, a lot of these trade rumours have been escalated to inform Rondo that he is always on the trading block and that he isn't the golden boy of the franchise. It's a great way of keeping players in check.

My sense is that Rondo-fatigue set in sometime back and that management is simply exhausted dealing with this situation.

For the franchise, there will be life after Rondo.

And for Rondo too, he will have another chance to establish himself anew.

DH

[BballTim]

until Rondo learns to hit the outside shot teams will double. he has cost many games. and what's a penetrator good for if he can't hit foul shots. I expect the knicks to play well and shut us down .

  Rondo doesn't cost us many games. All last offseason I kept reading about how hard Rondo makes it on the offense because his defender ignores him and roams to double the big three. The season began and it open shot after open shot for the Celts.

[mctyson]

Reckon the different mindset is serving him well? Was it all psychological before? Thoughts on Rondo's shot?

Nope, it's all physical.

Rondo has extremely long arms and large hands for someone who is 6 feet tall.  I'm 6'1" and I bet his fingers are twice as long as mine.

As a guard, my biggest weakness was my ball handling, and I attributed that weakness to my pathetically small hands.  But I had 30-foot range.  A basketball always felt perfect in my shooting motion, but weird when I dribbled.

I bet for Rondo its the exact opposite.  His hands and fingers give him a physical advantage that few people have, which is why he is sick at handling the ball.  But he sucks at FTs (always the best measure of a good or bad shooter).  It's probably because he's got so much going on with his hands he can't get repetition in his shot.

[kozlodoev]

Yeah, that "big hands" argument is a load of crap. Guys like Garnett do just fine shooting from anywhere, and I doubt he's got smaller hands than Rondo.

[Celtics4ever]

Jabaar could shoot both. McHale could shoot both.  Jordan had huge hands and could shoot anywhere.

I too think, the big hands argument is false.   I have big hands and I shot 50% from the three point line the last season I played in the Army ball.   I shot sixty attempts too.   I can palm a ball out of the air for a rebound and I shot 70-80% from the line.  I can't dribble with a crap because I play PF and C and never learned the skill.

I think Rondo hasn't learned the skill of shooting.  When he shoots it doesn't look relaxed to me yet.   He still is developing muscle memory I would surmise.   Thus far, he could dominate most he has played against with his speed and agility.  He never learned because it was not necessary.  All his athletic talents which are excellent were enough for him to play well enough.   Now at the NBA where every weakness is nitpicked and exploited ad nauseum this flaw has been exposed.

[BballTim]

Jabaar could shoot both. McHale could shoot both.  Jordan had huge hands and could shoot anywhere.

I too think, the big hands argument is false.   I have big hands and I shot 50% from the three point line the last season I played in the Army ball.   I shot sixty attempts too.   I can palm a ball out of the air for a rebound and I shot 70-80% from the line.  I can't dribble with a crap because I play PF and C and never learned the skill.

I think Rondo hasn't learned the skill of shooting.  When he shoots it doesn't look relaxed to me yet.   He still is developing muscle memory I would surmise.   Thus far, he could dominate most he has played against with his speed and agility.  He never learned because it was not necessary.  All his athletic talents which are excellent were enough for him to play well enough.   Now at the NBA where every weakness is nitpicked and exploited ad nauseum this flaw has been exposed.

  I'm not saying that big hands are or aren't Rondo's problems, but if that's never an issue, why are smaller players generally better outside shooters and free throw shooters than bigger players?