Rondo's Assist Streak

[Section301]

I've felt (and it has been reported) that Rondo sometimes "gets bored" with games when he doesn't perceive a challenge (i.e. national game, top-rated PG opponent), resulting in uneven play.  In light of his recent assist streak, is it possible that Doc has challenged Rondo (or he has challenged himself) to lead the league in assists this year in order to keep him engaged?  He hasn't been dominant, but he has been consistently churning out assists - more in the opening of the game, and less once the double-digit goal is in sight.

Especially against the Bobcats, Rondo seemed completely uninterested in anything except passing (and after the first half, not even so much of that) until Doc told Rondo to "go and score" in the fourth quarter. 
 

[Chris]

Neh, I think it is a combination of being worn down, which is preventing him from attacking the basket as much, the general boredom of this point in a long season keeping him from attacking more, and Rondo realizing the KG and Pierce are hot hands right now, and that he is better off feeding them as long as they are hot.

[Celtics18]

I love the Rondo that we've seen in the past couple of weeks.  With the trade deadline behind us and much of the intense focus taken off him, he's stopped trying to "prove it" so much and has fallen into his role as the floor general and set up guy for this team which is the role that suits him.

[2short]

Last few games I notice rondo doing a great job of getting everyone involved.  He had points where he could take a shot but moved it to someone for a good look for them.  Not kg or pp but he was working the ball to marquis or greg to get them some good looks/points.  One thing with his assist totals; bradley is a guy that can fill a lane with rondo going a full speed.  Sadly he is the only guy on team that i think get out on the wing all out.  Rondo seems to be able to dribble faster than most the team can sprint.  Also helps that kg & pp have had hot hands lately.  Can rondo lead the nba in assists of course.  Its really he & nash at the top then the next group.

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Why doesn't Doc just challenge Rondo to break Scott Skiles' single-game-assist record (30).

[Capricious]

I think hes just passing more because of the shooting slump.  Hes down to 45% on the year, which would be his worst since his rookie year.

[2short]

I think hes just passing more because of the shooting slump.  Hes down to 45% on the year, which would be his worst since his rookie year.

he has been throwing up more than a few last second shots to be shot clock lately, mainly the celtics trying to work a play that just doesn't materialize, i wish rondo or doc would just go to plan b quicker, also noticed bass isn't that bright with ball unless its for his jumper he tends to hold the ball and mess up the offense a fair amount

[xmuscularghandix]

I never feel like Rondo needs to be challenged into passing, i think it may be the other way around.

It's good to get your teammates involved but if your passing up layups for assists THEN they end up as turnovers or missed baskets? That's not good at all.

[azzenfrost]

He has 7 assists so far at the half.

[Kiorrik]

You know what? It all seems rather pedestrian to me.

Rondo can do better. I bet he could be having a 15 per game average if he was with the right, fast, running crew. For a season that is.

[OmarSekou]

Offensively, Rondo plays to his strengths (passing) and away from his weaknesses (scoring).

I don't think he's trying to rack up assists to inflate his stats. He just does what's most comfortable for him in low pressure situations (bad teams).

In high pressure situations (good teams, good PGs, national games), he plays more aggressively because that's what we need to win.

Rondo doesn't take over games and shift the momentum when we are losing to teams we should beat. Other players of his caliber do.

[pearljammer10]

meh i dunno, we should trade him. 

[apc]

i just don't like him passing up on easy layups for an assist.
and he have done it a few times in the last few games.
shoot Rondo, shoot.

[azzenfrost]

Maybe it's just the games I've seen. He's kind of bad at finishing those fast break lay ups so I'm okay with him passing.

[RJ87]

Its kind of difficult to complete a layup in transition when there are no other options. Sometimes, he doesn't have the best of angles but there's no one to drop the pass off too because he's the only who has passed the halfcourt line.

That stretch where Wilcox was healthy and running the break with him, it was thing of beauty. Now, Bradley is getting more minutes and running with him so we're getting more easy scoring opportunities.

You need more than one guy to run an effective fastbreak.