Rondo is such a great player who often fuels the Celtic's when they play well.  He gets tons of credit for their success but is equally responsible when the offense disintegrates like it did tonight.  The Celtics got back into the game by running the offense through KG but went away from it late.  Also Rondo's penetration led to an easy layup then dunk for KG but in crunch time that aggression was nowhere to be found.

The late game offensive failures on two key possessions were huge in costing the Celtic's a chance to go up 2-0 on Philly tonight.  However the team failed miserably both times to even get a decent shot off.

The worst sequence was when the C's were up 1 with the ball and a chance to increase the lead.  Rondo had the ball and stood there dribbling and waving his arms.  The play appeared to be for Ray but Philly was ready.  When the initial option broke down Rondo just stood there until the clock wound down and forced up a horrible jump shot that missed.  Instead of realizing the play wasn't available and at least driving to the basket with aggression Rondo appeared lost as what to do next.

From Forsberg here is the sequence and Rondo's shocking response to being asked about that play ---

Quote

But the Celtics couldn't get their offense in motion, and Rajon Rondo dribbled the ball for 19 seconds before forcing a 17-foot jumper with two defenders nearby. The shot found back iron.

At the other end, Evan Turner drove past Rondo (Ray Allen did little to help the penetration) and even when Paul Pierce stepped up in the lane, Turner willed in a circus layup while falling to the floor for a 76-75 Philadelphia lead.

Asked what he was looking for before settling for that jumper, Rondo shrugged and said, "I DON'T EVEN KNOW."

Rondo answers that he didn't even know what was happening on the biggest offensive possession of the game??? 

Rondo was doing one of two things there ---

Either he was just being sarcastic and immature when justifiably asked about running a play that had no rhythm or sense to it OR...

Is it possible he really did have no clue was he was trying to do there?  As the PG of the team he is responsible for directing the offense and getting the team in position to score late in games.  Was he really just standing there confused and then panicked when nothing opened up by forcing a terrible jump shot?

Not sure what is the worst of those two scenarios but it's a terrible response in either case.  There is no excuse for Rondo to be lost with the game on the line or to be so petulant as to not step up and admit he just didn't execute in that crucial situation.  So much talk is about this now being Rondo's team which often appears to be case.  However that kind of response shows Rondo still has a long way to go when being held accountable for the team's struggles...

I could care less what he SAID.  Anyone can say anything, doesn't mean there is any substance behind it.  I only care what he DID on the court. 

The play was obviously a screen for Ray, and KG as a backdoor option.  It didn't work and Rondo should have gone elsewhere.  What happened is they just waited a second time to see if the play could develop.  But PHI already knew what was going on (as did everyone watching the game).  I pin the blame on Rondo and the other two guys on the court (Pierce and Bradley?).  If the called play doens't work they NEED to do something.