Are we really better w/o Rondo or will his return vault us back to eliteness?

[greenpride32]

Okay we have an 8 game sample now w/o Rondo; that's 12% of the season this year.  We've gone 6-2 and really deserved to be 7-1.  That one loss to PHO was the very first game w/o Rondo and clearly the kids were not ready to step in yet.  We've beat our first quality opponents during this stretch as well.

We are scoring points and playing good defense; but the rebounding is still suspect.  Now on offense, teams just zone off Rondo.  On defense Rondo gambles too much and it can collapse our D at times.  But at the same time Rondo brings a lot to the table.

Now we're playing the way most people thought this team would play like this year; not exactly a top level contender, but just outside of that and probably a 3-4 seed in the conference.  But all w/o Rondo.

So with a healthy Rondo back in tow, are we going back to mediocrity or this team going to make some noise? 

[mqtcelticsfan]

I'd say we are definitely better off with Rondo around. Watching the Cleveland games proved that for two reasons:

1) The opposing PG doesn't need to concern himself with defending Avery Bradley. Irving and other elite PGs are going to light us up late in the game if they don't have to worry about the PG spot being a factor offensively.

2) Pierce looked completely gassed at the end of both games. With the PG spot being so weak, he's forced into a point forward role. For a guy we rely on late in games to score points, that's not good.

[Vermont Green]

When Rondo is ready, he will be back in there as he should be but I hope he is really watching what is going on.  Even though Bradley is not the player that Rondo is, the offence has look very different.  Rondo dribbles too much and is always waiting and trying to make the perfect pass (get the assist).  Bradley just makes a safe pass to keep the ball moving.

The result has been that without Rondo, the ball is moving more on offense.  Every one is touching it (no one person is trying to control it as Rondo does) and we are ending up with much more consistent possessions.  We are scoring more points without Rondo.

Pay attention Rondo.

[green7]

i hope rondo is watching as well, it's simple basketball but it's super affective.there's no gambling just good defense and ball movement.

i think if rondo can adjust to how the time is playing, it would make the team even better.

[ejk3489]

I think we will without a doubt be better once Rondo comes back. If Rondo was playing with same supporting cast in the beginning of the season that is out there now, I believe our record would be much improved.

Pierce and KG (Pierce especially) have looked like completely different players out there these past few weeks.

[cman88]

I think we will without a doubt be better once Rondo comes back. If Rondo was playing with same supporting cast in the beginning of the season that is out there now, I believe our record would be much improved.

Pierce and KG (Pierce especially) have looked like completley different players out there these past few weeks.

exactly, our starts look like completely different players than the beginning of the season when it was rondo as the only guy out there giving effort.

but, I think pierce will be alot more effective if he doesnt have to worry about being the point forward the whole game

[RayAllen4Three]

Pierce and KG play better w/o Rondo for sure. When Rondo is pounding the ball at the top of the key for 18 seconds, it really  hurts those guys who need the ball in their hands to get their rhythm. Ray is more of a catch and shoot guy but he plays just as effectively w/ Pierce as he does Rondo. Unless Rondo is going strong to the hoop to INITIATE the offense, this team is better off w/o him.

[pearljammer10]

When Rondo is ready, he will be back in there as he should be but I hope he is really watching what is going on.  Even though Bradley is not the player that Rondo is, the offence has look very different.  Rondo dribbles too much and is always waiting and trying to make the perfect pass (get the assist).  Bradley just makes a safe pass to keep the ball moving.

The result has been that without Rondo, the ball is moving more on offense.  Every one is touching it (no one person is trying to control it as Rondo does) and we are ending up with much more consistent possessions.  We are scoring more points without Rondo.

Pay attention Rondo.

I agree with you. Ball movement has been a huge huge part of this run we've had...

But to play devil's advocate a little...Isnt Pierce playing the role of being the guy dominating the ball? He has had the ball in his hand A LOT during our offensive possessions, kind of filling it what Rondo was doing anyway.

[Inside-Out]

I think we're seeing that Rondo could be traded for a starting C, and we'd probably be a better team.

Rondo and Dooling for Big Al straight up.

Bradley/Moore
Ray/Pietrus/Quisy
Pierce/Pavolovic[JGreen}
KG/Bass/JJJ
AlJefferson/JO/Wilcox

JO could be quickly on the block at that point, too.  Bass is pretty movable, too.

JO, Bass, +pick for Beasley and JJBarea (or perhaps Ridnour or Darko).

JJBarea/Bradley/Moore
Ray/Pietrus/Quisy
Pierce/Pavolovic[JGreen]
KG/Beasley/JJJ
AlJefferson/Steimsma

[bfrombleacher]

I think we're seeing that Rondo could be traded for a starting C, and we'd probably be a better team.

Rondo and Dooling for Big Al straight up.

Bradley/Moore
Ray/Pietrus
Pierce/Pavolovic[JGreen}
KG/Bass
AlJefferson/JO

Al is not really a center...is he?

I think it all comes down to Doc's lineups. He's been leaning on the same big 4 + 1 (Baby before, Bass now) forever.

[Change]

When Rondo is ready, he will be back in there as he should be but I hope he is really watching what is going on.  Even though Bradley is not the player that Rondo is, the offence has look very different.  Rondo dribbles too much and is always waiting and trying to make the perfect pass (get the assist).  Bradley just makes a safe pass to keep the ball moving.

The result has been that without Rondo, the ball is moving more on offense.  Every one is touching it (no one person is trying to control it as Rondo does) and we are ending up with much more consistent possessions.  We are scoring more points without Rondo.

Pay attention Rondo.

I agree with you. Ball movement has been a huge huge part of this run we've had...

But to play devil's advocate a little...Isnt Pierce playing the role of being the guy dominating the ball? He has had the ball in his hand A LOT during our offensive possessions, kind of filling it what Rondo was doing anyway.

No body really guards Rondo. Defender mostly lays back cutting off his driving lanes. It clogs up the middle thus killing Celtics spacing. Resulting in 4 vs 5 on offense.

Pierce on the other hand is much dangerous with the ball. For one, you have to actually defend him unlike Rondo. It opens up the floor. And defenders never know what he's going to do. Pierce has one of the best offensive repertoire in the NBA.

Even Ray is know getting into the action passing the rock. All around beautiful basketball.

[dtrader]

I'd say we are definitely better off with Rondo around. Watching the Cleveland games proved that for two reasons:

1) The opposing PG doesn't need to concern himself with defending Avery Bradley. Irving and other elite PGs are going to light us up late in the game if they don't have to worry about the PG spot being a factor offensively.

2) Pierce looked completely gassed at the end of both games. With the PG spot being so weak, he's forced into a point forward role. For a guy we rely on late in games to score points, that's not good.

If we were talking about almost any other PG in the league, I'd understand this argument, but with Rondo I dont think it makes sense.  Opposing PGs DONT need to concern themselves with defending Rondo.  He scores all his points in transition, and off cuts (very similar to Bradley).  It's his play making that makes him dangerous, and defending against that isn't going to take any more of a toll on a defender than stopping Bradleys cuts, or staying close to contest Moores shooting.  It's not like defenses really key in on stopping Rondos scoring when they play us. 

[popcontest]

Over the past 10 games, the Celtics defense has given up an average of just 81.1 points. Incredible...

You have to give some credit to Bradley, right?

But don't kid yourself -- the C's are not a contender unless Rondo is healthy and bringing his A-game.  It seems clear that they are purposely "resting" Rondo to give the young kids some time to develop in this shortened season...so we have some real battle-tested mettle coming off the bench by playoff time.

[Celtics18]

The latter (I'm hoping.)

[bfrombleacher]

It seems clear that they are purposely "resting" Rondo to give the young kids some time to develop in this shortened season...so we have some real battle-tested mettle coming off the bench by playoff time.

I hope they do that for everybody at some point this season. A Jermainacation. (Would love to see Jajuan as well )

Matter of fact, Jermaine should take more Jermainacations so Doc gets used to playing him less. Jermaine is ineffective in big minutes (as I keep saying). He's a stellar big 8-10 minutes a time though.