Hate to say it, but Rondo, I feel, hurting Celtics' offensive options, bigtime.

[OsirusCeltics]

I think Rondo is an opportunist on steals with the way he gambles. He loses his man which puts the whole defensive rotation out of sync, and allows penetration with the opposing point guard. Also when he holds the ball and stops offensive flow, because he's looking for the right person to get an assist on the stat sheet

I realized that in 2008 when they won the title, Rondo played reduced minutes (or less than he currently gets) for a veteran point guard to play about 20 min a game. Like Eddie House or Same Cassell. That Game 4 comeback against the Lakers in the Finals, Rondo was injured and didn't play the second half. House took his place while KG played center. Their offense flowed so much better, and they scored in bunches to win the game
 
I LOVE Rondo. I think he's an underrated awesome player. He's so great, an elite point guard. But I don't think he neccessarily fits THIS team

[guava_wrench]

Notice how little criticism Pierce is getting now for being stripped of the ball in crunch time? How is it acceptable to not protect the ball like that? He gets luck and hits the 3, but it doesn't change the reality that he almost blew the game there.

[OsirusCeltics]

Notice how little criticism Pierce is getting now for being stripped of the ball in crunch time? How is it acceptable to not protect the ball like that? He gets luck and hits the 3, but it doesn't change the reality that he almost blew the game there.

Rondo was the one who threw a horrible pass to him

[Zev Love X]

Notice how little criticism Pierce is getting now for being stripped of the ball in crunch time? How is it acceptable to not protect the ball like that? He gets luck and hits the 3, but it doesn't change the reality that he almost blew the game there.

Rondo was the one who threw a horrible pass to him

Wrong. You're talking about a different play where fields stripped him. The play he's talking about was completely on Pierce for getting clean stripped by shumpert as he was raising the ball to shoot

[BudweiserCeltic]

Notice how little criticism Pierce is getting now for being stripped of the ball in crunch time? How is it acceptable to not protect the ball like that? He gets luck and hits the 3, but it doesn't change the reality that he almost blew the game there.

Rondo was the one who threw a horrible pass to him

Wrong. You're talking about a different play where fields stripped him. The play he's talking about was completely on Pierce for getting clean stripped by shumpert as he was raising the ball to shoot

As the shot clock was winding down? Meh.

[European NBA fan]

Notice how little criticism Pierce is getting now for being stripped of the ball in crunch time? How is it acceptable to not protect the ball like that? He gets luck and hits the 3, but it doesn't change the reality that he almost blew the game there.

Rondo was the one who threw a horrible pass to him

Wrong. You're talking about a different play where fields stripped him. The play he's talking about was completely on Pierce for getting clean stripped by shumpert as he was raising the ball to shoot

As the shot clock was winding down? Meh.

Pierce got the ball with 7-8 seconds left on the shot clock.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Notice how little criticism Pierce is getting now for being stripped of the ball in crunch time? How is it acceptable to not protect the ball like that? He gets luck and hits the 3, but it doesn't change the reality that he almost blew the game there.

Oh you mean like all the criticism he received when there was like 50 threads a day on how he was done and such? Most people here are not nitpicking one play or even 2, they are talking offense entirely (defense too at times). It flowed much better w/o RR last game, when PP was the default point (w/ AB)! When PP makes a dumb or forced play during the game you should see how the chat room erupts during games and likewise with any of the other players! RR will get better at making this team click, I'm sure after he has his rhythm but so far this season he has helped (lead) it to look bogged down/stand still.

[Senninsage]

This is the rondo I like to see. Today was rondo at his best.

He wasn't trying to force anything down the defense's throat. He was patient and controlled on the break. He was making more careful passes, as opposed to the sloppy ones that he usually makes. I mean, he had a couple head scratchers, but for the most part he was right where he needed to be.

He had the perfect balance to his game today. This is the rondo I want to see more of. He doesn't need to try and do too much against elite point guards. Everytime I see these commentators doing these derrick rose vs rondo matchups, and it makes no sense. Rondo should not be trying to outdo the other team's pointguard on the stat sheet. He should play his game, and help deliver his team a win. That's all that matters.

This is more like what I'm talking about. I especially love how he took advantage of bringing the ball to the other side of his body while he was going at the basket today. It's a very good move to help bring yourself under control to give yourself a better chance at scoring the basket or making the right play, and I hope Rondo continues to take advantage of that very fundamental, but super effective move.

[pearljammer10]

I dont think its so much Rondo as it is the offense Rivers runs with Rondo at the point. When Rondo is in the game the Celts run a lot of one and done plays. They set out one play for one player and it takes way to long to run and develop, and if it doesnt work Rondo is stuck with a desperation jump shot. They just need to move the ball more and let things develop within the offense rather than try to get the one play for one guy going everytime.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I dont think its so much Rondo as it is the offense Rivers runs with Rondo at the point. When Rondo is in the game the Celts run a lot of one and done plays. They set out one play for one player and it takes way to long to run and develop, and if it doesnt work Rondo is stuck with a desperation jump shot. They just need to move the ball more and let things develop within the offense rather than try to get the one play for one guy going everytime.

At the moment Rondo is free to call whatever he wants.

[xmuscularghandix]

Completely agree, i just came from the game and i thought Rondo was horrible.

Assists don't mean as much as everyone thinks they do. It's more about making the right play.

[green7]

why doesn't rondo look to score more i just don't get it no reason he should only have 5 points he should have 15 or 16 at least a game

[ejk3489]

Completely agree, i just came from the game and i thought Rondo was horrible.

Assists don't mean as much as everyone thinks they do. It's more about making the right play.

Horrible? Seriously? I thought he looked really good out there, at least compared to last game. His playmaking and passing was one of the things I thought he did really well...made the right play and got guys easy/good looks.

[Celtics4ever]

15 assists is crap folks that is only like 30 points we scored off his passes.  Are you kidding me?

[dtrader]

15 assists is crap folks that is only like 30 points we scored off his passes.  Are you kidding me?

14 assists is great, but 5 turnovers is terrible. Plus, if you were watching the game, some of those "assists" were really questionable.  Like he would pass to the person, and then they'd take a few dribbles, make their own move, and score...but Rondo was still given the "assist".  Conversely, it doesn't make sense to say that Ray had a terrible game just because he went 4 for 14.  He was definitely off with his shooting today, but some of those misses were caused by Rondo refusing to take shots himself, and giving the ball to Ray in bad positions, with too little time on the clock.

It was a great team win today, but Rondo really didnt play all that well.