Today's Knicks game is why you don't trade Rajon Rondo

[5.9.20.34.43]

Oops and the last part too....stupid tablet.

[snively]

Gotta love Rondo: 9 pages of heated discussion.  Easily the most polarizing Celtic since Toine. 

[celticsfan8591]

Now is the time we should trade him.  When he plays like this, people forget that he's moody, that he's inconsistent, that he's so bad at shooting that it makes him a liability at the end of games.  We'll be able to get a good package for him if he keeps playing like this.  Do you really think we can win a title with him as our best player? Even today, Pierce is the one that stepped up at the end and carried us. Rondo almost cost us the game with that layup he bricked at the end.

And going forward, once the Big 3 are gone Rondo's going to be just good enough to get us to the first round and no further.  That's the worst place to be as a franchise.  Once the Big 3 is gone, we should bottom out for a year or two and try to get lottery picks like the Thunder did a few years back. In the NBA, you win by drafting a can't miss star. To do that we're going to have to take our lumps for a few years.

[BballTim]

Now is the time we should trade him.  When he plays like this, people forget that he's moody, that he's inconsistent, that he's so bad at shooting that it makes him a liability at the end of games.  We'll be able to get a good package for him if he keeps playing like this.  Do you really think we can win a title with him as our best player? Even today, Pierce is the one that stepped up at the end and carried us. Rondo almost cost us the game with that layup he bricked at the end.

And going forward, once the Big 3 are gone Rondo's going to be just good enough to get us to the first round and no further.  That's the worst place to be as a franchise.  Once the Big 3 is gone, we should bottom out for a year or two and try to get lottery picks like the Thunder did a few years back. In the NBA, you win by drafting a can't miss star. To do that we're going to have to take our lumps for a few years.

  If there's a way to get on the Thunder or Magic plan where you're bad for a year or two and get a superstar sign me up. If it's the Kings, Clips, Bulls, post-Bird Celts or most of the other bad teams that are bad for many years, no thanks.

[PosImpos]

Today he was 0-6 with a turnover and 3 assists and no foul shots (even though we were in the penalty) as the lead slipped away.

  Two comments on this, by the way. One, and people might say he brought this on himself, but I think it's been very difficult for Rondo to get fouls called when he drives since his suspension. Two, and loathe though I am to say this in such a Rondo-hostile environment, I think that 0-6 is a fairly good sign. Rondo wasn't missing his shots because it was late in the game, he'd been a little off on his layups all day. But he generally doesn't attack the rim like that late in close games. If he keeps it up those shots will fall and it will make the Celts a better 4th quarter team.

I agree with you, it's nice to see Rondo attacking the rim like that late in games, whether or not he's getting calls.

[Smutzy#9]

Gotta love Rondo: 9 pages of heated discussion.  Easily the most polarizing Celtic since Toine. 

hahah this

[Yoki_IsTheName]

Now is the time we should trade him.  When he plays like this, people forget that he's moody, that he's inconsistent, that he's so bad at shooting that it makes him a liability at the end of games.  We'll be able to get a good package for him if he keeps playing like this.  Do you really think we can win a title with him as our best player? Even today, Pierce is the one that stepped up at the end and carried us. Rondo almost cost us the game with that layup he bricked at the end.

And going forward, once the Big 3 are gone Rondo's going to be just good enough to get us to the first round and no further.  That's the worst place to be as a franchise.  Once the Big 3 is gone, we should bottom out for a year or two and try to get lottery picks like the Thunder did a few years back. In the NBA, you win by drafting a can't miss star. To do that we're going to have to take our lumps for a few years.

I can't really see as to why he can't be a part of the future moving forward. He's young, very reasonable contract and can post MONSTER games like these. Is he moody and not shoot very well, yes he is but you take the negatives along with the positives. He's an elite PG in the league on a very cheap contract. Why would we let him go.

DO we get a high tier talent PG, some good role players and a very valuable draft pick in return? Then may reluctantly yes. Other than that, just because he's moody and can't shoot even though he can set up teammates, can dominate the boards as a PG, runs the offense well and plays good defense we need to trade him?

Why can't we have him bottom dwelling for a couple years and draft great and let him be a part of a solid core in the future? He's only 26.

By the way, how many times did Rondo set up Pierce to get easy shots today? He did step up and give mad props for Paul for that. But c'mon man, Rondo was running the show the whole game, missed layup and all.

[FallGuy]

I'm of the opinion Doc and Danny are ready to move Rondo and will do so when they get appropriate value; either in the next ten days, on draft night or sometime this summer.

I also think it's the right move. There's too much inconsistency in his game and too many locker room concerns (with his teammates more than his coach, apparently) to make Rondo a centerpiece leader going forward.

You could argue his talent and promise and periodic otherworldly games are worth keeping him around, but there's an equally strong argument the other way, and I think that's where Boston is leaning.

[LooseCannon]

I'm of the opinion Doc and Danny are ready to move Rondo and will do so when they get appropriate value; either in the next ten days, on draft night or sometime this summer.

I think Ainge is, rightfully, prepared to keep Rondo if he can't get appropriate value.  Appropriate value is defined as All-Star level talent.  Rondo for three Brandon Bass-level players would be a horrible trade for Boston.

[ACF]

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last player to record a triple-double with at least 17 in each category was Magic Johnson, who had 24 points, 17 assists and 17 rebounds on April 18, 1989. The last player to exceed Rondo's performance in each category was Wilt Chamberlain, who had 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists on Feb. 2, 1968.

[Trifecta]

Not sure if this was already said because of the 10 pages or so of replies, but if Rondo gets up and motivated to play well against guys like Lin, Wall, Rose, Westbrook, etc. and stay extremely motivated through trade rumors, imagine how he'll play against us if we deal him.. Scary.

[Celtics4ever]

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last player to record a triple-double with at least 17 in each category was Magic Johnson, who had 24 points, 17 assists and 17 rebounds on April 18, 1989. The last player to exceed Rondo's performance in each category was Wilt Chamberlain, who had 22 points, 25 rebounds and 21 assists on Feb. 2, 1968.

Wow that is pretty good company.  I am a Rondo fan and even I concede he is no Wilt or Magic in terms of value.

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I just read through all the pages of this thread. I cannot believe that Rondo is still getting all of this hate and blame even after a monster game.

I WISH that Rondo gets traded already. The lack of appreciation for this man, the very high expectations is just unfair.

The dude went 20 pts, 17 rebs, 20 assists. Was clearly one the best player on the court today next to Pierce, and people notice how he missed his layups and jumpers? And he was padding stats and hurting the team? Maybe finding Bass wide open when he drives the lane several times is just padding stats. I'm amazed, really I am.

I swear to God, Rondo can have a quad-double, give the game winning pass off of a beautiful drive and kick out, hold the opposing PG to 30% and people would still notice how he missed wide open shots and blame him for the opponent coming back from a 10 point lead because of it.

Danny please trade Rajon already. The dude gets no love here even if he bust his you know what HARD every game.

[CelticsFanNC]

  Rondo is inconsistent but he depends on others hitting shots and running the court.   Him finding consistency is at least partially on his teammates who don't consistently hit shots and do not consistently run the court.  Not consistently running the court is especially harmful to Rondo's game and that is due mostly to the age of the guys who plays most of his minutes with.  He has been more consistent when either Bass or Wilcox have started in place of JO because he has someone with younger legs who will run the floor consistently.

 Imagine him with two or three guys who are young enough to run the court night in and night out.  He's never had that in his career in Boston.

  Giving up on him now would be a HUGE mistake.  Giving up on him would be trading him just to get rid of him as many here have suggested.

  Trading him for equal or greater value though is a completely different story IMO.  I would support a trade that brings back equal or greater value.  Good luck finding that trade.

[Greenbean]

Now is the time we should trade him.  When he plays like this, people forget that he's moody, that he's inconsistent, that he's so bad at shooting that it makes him a liability at the end of games.  We'll be able to get a good package for him if he keeps playing like this.  Do you really think we can win a title with him as our best player? Even today, Pierce is the one that stepped up at the end and carried us. Rondo almost cost us the game with that layup he bricked at the end.

And going forward, once the Big 3 are gone Rondo's going to be just good enough to get us to the first round and no further.  That's the worst place to be as a franchise.  Once the Big 3 is gone, we should bottom out for a year or two and try to get lottery picks like the Thunder did a few years back. In the NBA, you win by drafting a can't miss star. To do that we're going to have to take our lumps for a few years.

  If there's a way to get on the Thunder or Magic plan where you're bad for a year or two and get a superstar sign me up. If it's the Kings, Clips, Bulls, post-Bird Celts or most of the other bad teams that are bad for many years, no thanks.

Yup...I just hope Ainge has a little more patience than some of us fans!