Whoever is all over Rondo for the bump must never have played sports

[nickagneta]

but the ref was standing right there and he some contact that warranted a whistle.

Too bad when he was standing right there 60 seconds earlier he didn't see the contact Josh Smith made with the ball before it went out of bounds.

Funny how he could see the Bass contact but not see the Smith travel by rolling on the floor or Smith knocking the ball out of bounds.

[17wasEZ]

but the ref was standing right there and he some contact that warranted a whistle.

Too bad when he was standing right there 60 seconds earlier he didn't see the contact Josh Smith made with the ball before it went out of bounds.

Funny how he could see the Bass contact but not see the Smith travel by rolling on the floor or Smith knocking the ball out of bounds.

Great points.  I've been hearing from my non Celtic fan pals that Rondo's bump proves he is ghetto.  Pretty interesting takes.  I don't believe it, but he seems to have some kind of issue.

[crownsy]

If your all over Rondo for the bump you must never have played sports.

Rondo would never just go hit a ref. I agree, you should not bump a ref. But be logical, these guys are competitors before there pros. In a game where ROndo was the only guy playing consistent, probably arguments on the bench etc. Not to mention that particular official had been calling against the celtics all game.

Its rediculous to bash on a competitor in the heat of battle after an emotional comeback, to think you have a chance to make it a 2 point game, and the ref takes that chance away.

All of you must never played sports at the next level......besdies the fact that the refs were horrible the whole game, and the fact Rondo was the only Celtics playing good ball from start to finish, there was a critcal call made with 40 seconds left. He's a competitor, not a cry baby or immature.

I played sports to the collegiate level in Baaseball and football and somehow restrained myself from chest bumping a ref.

Yelled at one? you bet. walked over and chestbumped one to prove how big of a man i was? nope.

And as Roy pointed out, somehow the rest of the team and league somehow avoids throwing basketballs at officials and chest bumping them.

[guava_wrench]

99% of the competitors in all NBA games seem to be able to prevent themselves from aggressively making contact with the refs when angry, though.  It has nothing to do with playing sports, as almost everybody is able to play within the rules.  Rather, it's called keeping your composure, something that Rondo struggles with from time to time.

Sports is all about funneling your aggression and desire into something constructive.  Rondo lost sight of that, and did something stupid.  It doesn't mean he should be crucified, but he absolutely should be criticized.

Exactly. You can be the most competitive player in the world, but that doesn't mean you can't manage your anger.

The people who can't identify are likely people who, like me, are able to control their anger in moments like that since they don't lose sight of the greater goal.

Rondo is particularly bad at keeping his behavior in check whether dealing with refs or with teammates.

[guava_wrench]

but the ref was standing right there and he some contact that warranted a whistle.

Too bad when he was standing right there 60 seconds earlier he didn't see the contact Josh Smith made with the ball before it went out of bounds.

Refs can only call what they perceive. The Smith play is irrelevant. This is why there is video review in the last 2 minutes. Calls will be missed unless we want constant stoppage of play and 10 hour games.

Sometimes we benefit from missed calls, sometimes the other team does. Get over it. Nothing interesting there.

[nickagneta]

but the ref was standing right there and he some contact that warranted a whistle.

Too bad when he was standing right there 60 seconds earlier he didn't see the contact Josh Smith made with the ball before it went out of bounds.

Refs can only call what they perceive. The Smith play is irrelevant. This is why there is video review in the last 2 minutes. Calls will be missed unless we want constant stoppage of play and 10 hour games.

Sometimes we benefit from missed calls, sometimes the other team does. Get over it. Nothing interesting there.

I actually think there's a lot to be interested there because I believe it was that call that got Rondo's anger going after constantly getting hacked all night and never getting a call.

I understand refs make bad calls and miss calls. It happens. But when there is a history of a ref doing it consistently with the same team, I have to think there might be a personal bias involved that makes those refs "perceive" things that may or may not be there.

That's the funny thing about perception, its human and personal. And since refs are human, it is very very possible he has a bias against this team. Refs can miss things or make mistakes on purpose, so get over it.

[OsirusCeltics]

99% of the competitors in all NBA games seem to be able to prevent themselves from aggressively making contact with the refs when angry, though.  It has nothing to do with playing sports, as almost everybody is able to play within the rules.  Rather, it's called keeping your composure, something that Rondo struggles with from time to time.

Sports is all about funneling your aggression and desire into something constructive.  Rondo lost sight of that, and did something stupid.

I completely agree that he needs to keep his composure.

Im not saying that he should have bumped the ref, and all that etc. But the thing is, i see where hes coming from. hes a fiery competitor

There's plenty of other fiery competitors in this world, they don't bump officials.  To my knowledge, KG has never bumped an official.  Bottom line is this, Rondo is a very good basketball player, but he's a punk.  He may not be so in the sense of someone like Ron Artest, but Rondo's had enough issues now where the guy is just a jerk on the court.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uqQpCo0d0E

It is the constant double standard applied to Rondo that agitates. KG above. PP in 2005, DJ was considered a malcontent, Bird throwing a ball, the list goes on and on. To pretend this some sort of grand aberration from NBA behavior that destroys a players value is absurd. 

It must be so fun being KG. Man I love this guy haha
But that wasn't a push off. The referee actually put his hands on his body, and KG pushed his hand away
Rondo went to the referee and initiated the contact by bumping him. Its different

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

99% of the competitors in all NBA games seem to be able to prevent themselves from aggressively making contact with the refs when angry, though.  It has nothing to do with playing sports, as almost everybody is able to play within the rules.  Rather, it's called keeping your composure, something that Rondo struggles with from time to time.

Sports is all about funneling your aggression and desire into something constructive.  Rondo lost sight of that, and did something stupid.

I completely agree that he needs to keep his composure.

Im not saying that he should have bumped the ref, and all that etc. But the thing is, i see where hes coming from. hes a fiery competitor

There's plenty of other fiery competitors in this world, they don't bump officials.  To my knowledge, KG has never bumped an official.  Bottom line is this, Rondo is a very good basketball player, but he's a punk.  He may not be so in the sense of someone like Ron Artest, but Rondo's had enough issues now where the guy is just a jerk on the court.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uqQpCo0d0E

It is the constant double standard applied to Rondo that agitates. KG above. PP in 2005, DJ was considered a malcontent, Bird throwing a ball, the list goes on and on. To pretend this some sort of grand aberration from NBA behavior that destroys a players value is absurd. 

It must be so fun being KG. Man I love this guy haha
But that wasn't a push off. The referee actually put his hands on his body, and KG pushed his hand away
Rondo went to the referee and initiated the contact by bumping him. Its different

EXACTLY!! KG brushed dude off him, the ref put hands on KG, this is in no way comparative to what RR did... people will say/do anything to excuse Rondo!


Now, I look for my boy RR to come out and be lights-out Friday! LET'S GO CELTICS AND RR!!!!!!

[nickagneta]

BTW, just want to say, no matter how bad or biased a ref is, you can't do what Rondo did. He was wrong and deserved the suspension.

[ACF]

but the ref was standing right there and he some contact that warranted a whistle.

Too bad when he was standing right there 60 seconds earlier he didn't see the contact Josh Smith made with the ball before it went out of bounds.

Funny how he could see the Bass contact but not see the Smith travel by rolling on the floor or Smith knocking the ball out of bounds.

Great points.  I've been hearing from my non Celtic fan pals that Rondo's bump proves he is ghetto.  Pretty interesting takes.  I don't believe it, but he seems to have some kind of issue.

That's kind of funny because I think it just proves he really, really wants to win basketball games. Your buddies are probably Heat fans

[wayupnorth]

I don't want to debate whether Rondo "had it coming", but for all the people saying that (paraphrase) "I play sports and have never done that", do you really think that you were playing in even the same stratosphere of pressure? Playing in High School or even College, is a far, faaar cry from the NBA.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I don't want to debate whether Rondo "had it coming", but for all the people saying that (paraphrase) "I play sports and have never done that", do you really think that you were playing in even the same stratosphere of pressure? Playing in High School or even College, is a far, faaar cry from the NBA.

No, you're right they haven't but you know who has? The thousands of other NBA players that somehow manage to keep their hands off refs (there have been times where refs have been easily worse too)!!!! Come on people! You don't have to play in the NBA or at a high level in sports to know to keep your hands to yourself, point blank period!

[dmopower]

I don't want to debate whether Rondo "had it coming", but for all the people saying that (paraphrase) "I play sports and have never done that", do you really think that you were playing in even the same stratosphere of pressure? Playing in High School or even College, is a far, faaar cry from the NBA.

It's not the level of play that matters. It's the level of intensity that an individuel brings to the court. I know people that are so competetive that they will jump in the stands during a pickup game just to make the play.

 Rondo is extreemly competitive, now he just needs to mature some. Period.

[jdz101]

BTW, just want to say, no matter how bad or biased a ref is, you can't do what Rondo did. He was wrong and deserved the suspension.

This.

If trafficking drugs through Malaysia is punishable by death, youre stupid to do it because you could die as punishment.

If you miss a game for touching a referee, you're stupid if you touch a referee.

The punishment, though appearing unfair and a little overblown in some circumstances, should act as a pretty good deterrent to rub out that sort of behavior.

[myteamisbetterthanyours]

a kid on my lacrosse team in high school backhanded a ref after a game.  That was pretty legendary.

That was not a backhand.  Nope
It was a Pimp Slap.
And I bet your teammate was suspended.
And David Stern is going to Pimp Slap Rondo.

Atlanta 2-0

Boston wondering why they let home court advantage slip away.

How dumb do you feel now? on a scale of 1-10