does Rondo need to look to score more?

[CelticG1]

We've got a banged up Pierce, Allen Bradley. A ice cold Bass and pretty much Pietrus. The only constant at the moment is KG,  who if we're being honest isn't going to average 28 for the series.

I understand Rondo is trying to get Bass and Pietrus confidence up but in Bass's case it just seems like its overfeeding it. He made a few shots last night and then we just kept stuffing it in his face pretty much forcing him to shoot a high volume.

I noticed that in particular last night but in general I think Rondo needs to look for his shot a bit more. It seems like when he has open layups he'll pass out for a jumpshot. Then randomly he'll go for a ridiculous layup instead of making a simple pass. It should be reversed.

Bottom line is that Rondo needs to take on somebody the scoring load. He can still get others involved but he needs to become more of a 2nd or 3rd option at least, especially when it is clear we are struggling for points

[Celtics18]

Nope.  I say keep looking for others, Rajon.  Ultimately, the team is at its best when Rondo is playing quarterback. 

[mctyson]

Rondo leads the playoffs in minutes per game right now. I think Doc is sending a clear message that we cannot possibly win without him on the floor.  I mentioned in the game thread last night that it is not about Rondo being "aggressive" or looking for his shot more, but as the leader, the PG, and the most played player, he has a better feel for everyone's game, probably better than Doc's in some regards.

To that end, he has to feel when Pierce is not getting it done, when Bass is not getting it done, and he has to find other options.  If that includes him taking more shots, fine.  But he can't keep feeding guys who are not scoring for us.

[CelticG1]

Oh, weird Rondo can quarterback the team, set up his teammates AND Score.

Rondo doesn't need to score every series or every game but I think he clearly needs to look to score when Pierce Bass or other guys are having trouble getting points. He can create his own shot, run his own fast break, get to the line and even has a a semi decent 15 footer that every team pretty much gives him.

I don't see the problem in Rondo looking for his shot more when other guys are clearly struggling and are beat up.

Why do others seem to have a problem with it or think that he can't set up his teammates and score?

[Donoghus]

I absolutely loved the way Rondo played tonight.

Attacking but smart basketball.  Scored when he had to but didn't press things, either

[thestackshow]

In game 2 he passed up 5 or 6 wide open layups to get other guys shots instead, they missed those shots.

Tonight whenever he got into the lane he scored the basketball instead of passing up open shots.

Balanced attack, scoring and assisting.

[Q_FBE]

I absolutely loved the way Rondo played tonight.

Attacking but smart basketball.  Scored when he had to but didn't press things, either

Rondo was outstanding tonight. Probably one of his signature games. Did not do anything spectacular but set up his teammates to make plays and understood when to shoot.

[cman88]

rondo can score whenever he wants against the sixers...he/KG need to remain aggressive offensively against this team and take the next one in philly

[Kane3387]

I absolutely loved the way Rondo played tonight.

Attacking but smart basketball.  Scored when he had to but didn't press things, either

If we get this Rondo the rest of the way we will be playing in June.

[Big_Dave31]

Rondo needs to play like he did tonight ,start the game off attacking, once he does that, for the rest of the game, the opponent gets so scared of his scoring, it opens up the floor for the team mates to score.
tonight, he had what? 13 points and 0 assists in the first? Yeah, he ended up with 14 assists for the last 3 quarters ...
That's when his smarts come into it, tonight, he passed / scored at will and it was beautiful to see!
I went to the game tonight and it was fantastic to watch! Beautiful basketball.

[get_banners]

he just needs to attack. that doesn't necessarily mean scoring more. however, he needs to not dish off the ball when he's got a pretty good shot at the rim. he did that too much in games 1 & 2, and given our terrible shooting in those games, those were lost points. tonight was much better. maybe this forces the sixers to close on him earlier = open shots for our other guys (who hopefully can hit them).

[clover]

Rondo's at his best when he's neither primarily looking to score nor primarily looking to rack up assists.  Attacking the basket, as everyone here is noting, is the key.

I really think his looking to extend his assist streak in the last quarter of the season, after the team had got on such a good roll, was part of the team's getting out of tune going into the playoffs.

Let's hope this game of the 'best Rondo' is the start of another run and he comes out just as he did in game three through the rest of this series (and the two next).

[TheReaLPuba]

Rondo needs to get into the paint and if he has a layup he needs to TAKE the layup.

A layup > than an open jumper

If the defense is giving you a layup you take it and then worry about getting your teammates into the offense on the next possession.

[Celtics4ever]

I agree he is best when attacking the basket sadly other teams know this as well and put him on his back and foul him hard.

[bfrombleacher]

hen his teammates are putting up 0's, yes, score. He does need to learn when to score but everyone else has also got to step it up, which they did today after a cold start. Rondo at his best makes his teammates better.

If anything, to me (and disagree if you like, just what I think), this game showed that Rondo is indeed elite and that nobody, absolutely nobody, can win on their own in this league. The ugly games Rondo puts up are more of him trying to create something out of nothing than stat padding.