Chris Paul's struggles.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

CP3 didn't want to come here because we would expect him to PASS......he is allen iverson.....that is all.....

[Celtics18]

One more thing:

Someone PLEASE tell me this - How good is a weapon (Chris Paul's shooting) if he can't even use it?

Chris Paul has historically struggled vs Rajon Rondo and BOS.

And I guess we can add the Spurs to that list.

Chris Paul has struggled against The Celtics, not Rondo
This is a team game. The teams Chris Paul went up against in the playoffs literally threw double teams to get the ball out of his hands. Other teams knew without Paul, the rest of the Clippers would play like a chicken with its head cut off. They seemed too inept to score when Paul was on the bench or was double-teamed And it doesn't help that he has a groin injury either, which limits his quickness/mobility

I totally disagree with Charles saying Rondo has been the best point guard this season. Unlike Paul who is constantly being thrown at him, no one guards Rondo. His defenders step like 5 feet away from him daring him to shoot. Which gives him all the airspace and clear court vision for him to dominate. If Chris Paul got that airspace, he would murder the opposing teams

Well, Chris Paul had better get to murderin', I suppose, LOL.

His team will get swept if he doesn't, and that's too bad.

The amazing thing, to me, is that if Rondo were playing the Spurs, I bet he'd find a way - just like he's done most of this season. He wouldn't allow himself to be taken out of a game without punishing them some other way.

And I disagree with you on no one guarding Rondo - this season. I saw a shift in how our opponents guard Rondo when we played the Lakers this regular season....they had to put Kobe on him in that contest, and boy did Kobe guard him closely...didn't let up off of him AT ALL.

And even THEN Rajon still put up 24 pts and 10 assists (some outside, mid-range Js) in a losing contest.

But Kobe didn't cheat off of him, which, like I stated earlier - lets me know that Rajon is starting to come into his own.

It is so interesting to me how Chris Paul can have the weapons he has (his outside shot, passing, defense, DeAndre, Blake, etc) - and his team is about to be swept.

I think folks need to start climbing off the CP3 bandwagon.

The reason they are about to get swept is that the Clippers have no one who can create a shot on their own besides Mo Williams, an injured Caron Bulter, and Eric Bledsoe. Other than that, they need Paul to get them going. And when you double Paul, those players don't get involved. Its different when you have Rondo, with 3 hall of famers which the opposing teams wouldn't dare double Rondo to leave any of the Big 3 open

The play I always remember is that Laker game in LA the Celtics played. That final play when Celtics were down by one and Pierce was tryin to isolate and win the game. Rondo had the ball and was tryin to give the ball to Pierce. But since Lakers knew Rondo has no jumpshot, they doubled Pierce so Rondo couldnt pass it. Only thing Rondo could do was shoot and miss. Its plays like that which won't make me agree Rondo is the best point guard this season. He's not a closer and under performs in a half-court situation

I wouldn't dare double Rondo no matter who he's playing with.  That's the thing about him, with his exceptional ball handling, vision, and passing ability, he would get the ball to the open man every time or he'd split the double and get in the lane.  

The theory used to be that playing off him worked to render him ineffective as he wouldn't take and couldn't hit the jump shot.  Atlanta and Philly have both employed the lay off strategy and look at the numbers he's putting up.  They are absolutely insane.  

I really don't think there is a defensive strategy that can stop Rajon Rondo anymore.  He's too good.  

[GreenFaith1819]

"Under-performs in half-court situations?"

Doesn't BOS play most of the time in half-court situations?

I just don't agree with you, there.

MEM's backcourt of TA and Mike Conley was a much better defensive backcourt than the Spurs, but yet CP3 can't get it done.

I think we are too fixated at times on CP3's shooting, which just doesn't impress me that much if he can't overcome his team's deficiencies and will them to win.

And I think you are overlooking Rondo's triple doubles as well - again, proof to me that Rajon can hurt an opponent in so many other ways.

[GreenFaith1819]

What is absolutely shocking to me is how Chris Paul is given a Free Pass for LAC's EPIC collapse just a few hours ago, but BOS's the talk of ESPN.

They lost a TWENTY-TWO point lead today, IN CLIPPERLAND. yet they are given a free pass.

"Chris Paul is hurt."

So is Rondo.

[Celtics18]

And as for Chris Paul being injured....as one of the best PFs in the game in Zach Randolph stated just a week or so ago:

"Everyone is banged up right now."

Our own PG played with a dangled arm last yrs playoffs - remember that? That was our ONLY win vs MIA that series, too.

Our own PG needs to have his back treated during his few minutes out of every game, too - remember that he hurt his back a few weeks ago?

Rajon Rondo is MANNING UP. He's Ram Tough.

Either the number three runner up to MVP voting needs to MAN UP, or we neeed to start re-evaluating Chris Paul's ranking.

So KG's knee injury which made him miss the 2009 playoffs and hobbled in the 2010 playoffs a normal "banged up" injury? I think not. You can't judge every injury the same

No, you can't.  You can use two criteria: Playing and Not Playing.  None of us will ever fully or accurately be able to assess whose injuries are worse and who's playing through more pain.  

All we can say is that if you are out there, you are expected to produce and help your team win.  I've heard Chris Paul say the same thing this post-season.  He doesn't want to use the injury excuse.  Neither should we.  

Unfortunately, often times it's the media who decides who is more hurt and who isn't.  They decide to focus on the ailments of the big stars, and they have a tendency to turn them into big stories.  

I don't know if Chris Paul's groin and hip are worse or better than Rajon Rondo's back and wrist.  All I know is that they are both out there putting up big minutes for their clubs, and currently our point guard is producing at a much higher level than Chris Paul.

[OsirusCeltics]

One more thing:

Someone PLEASE tell me this - How good is a weapon (Chris Paul's shooting) if he can't even use it?

Chris Paul has historically struggled vs Rajon Rondo and BOS.

And I guess we can add the Spurs to that list.

Chris Paul has struggled against The Celtics, not Rondo
This is a team game. The teams Chris Paul went up against in the playoffs literally threw double teams to get the ball out of his hands. Other teams knew without Paul, the rest of the Clippers would play like a chicken with its head cut off. They seemed too inept to score when Paul was on the bench or was double-teamed And it doesn't help that he has a groin injury either, which limits his quickness/mobility

I totally disagree with Charles saying Rondo has been the best point guard this season. Unlike Paul who is constantly being thrown at him, no one guards Rondo. His defenders step like 5 feet away from him daring him to shoot. Which gives him all the airspace and clear court vision for him to dominate. If Chris Paul got that airspace, he would murder the opposing teams

Well, Chris Paul had better get to murderin', I suppose, LOL.

His team will get swept if he doesn't, and that's too bad.

The amazing thing, to me, is that if Rondo were playing the Spurs, I bet he'd find a way - just like he's done most of this season. He wouldn't allow himself to be taken out of a game without punishing them some other way.

And I disagree with you on no one guarding Rondo - this season. I saw a shift in how our opponents guard Rondo when we played the Lakers this regular season....they had to put Kobe on him in that contest, and boy did Kobe guard him closely...didn't let up off of him AT ALL.

And even THEN Rajon still put up 24 pts and 10 assists (some outside, mid-range Js) in a losing contest.

But Kobe didn't cheat off of him, which, like I stated earlier - lets me know that Rajon is starting to come into his own.

It is so interesting to me how Chris Paul can have the weapons he has (his outside shot, passing, defense, DeAndre, Blake, etc) - and his team is about to be swept.

I think folks need to start climbing off the CP3 bandwagon.

The reason they are about to get swept is that the Clippers have no one who can create a shot on their own besides Mo Williams, an injured Caron Bulter, and Eric Bledsoe. Other than that, they need Paul to get them going. And when you double Paul, those players don't get involved. Its different when you have Rondo, with 3 hall of famers which the opposing teams wouldn't dare double Rondo to leave any of the Big 3 open

The play I always remember is that Laker game in LA the Celtics played. That final play when Celtics were down by one and Pierce was tryin to isolate and win the game. Rondo had the ball and was tryin to give the ball to Pierce. But since Lakers knew Rondo has no jumpshot, they doubled Pierce so Rondo couldnt pass it. Only thing Rondo could do was shoot and miss. Its plays like that which won't make me agree Rondo is the best point guard this season. He's not a closer and under performs in a half-court situation

I wouldn't dare double Rondo no matter who he's playing with.  That's the thing about him, with his exceptional ball handling, vision, and passing ability, he would get the ball to the open man every time or he'd split the double and get in the lane.  

The theory used to be that playing off him worked to render him ineffective as he wouldn't take and couldn't hit the jump shot.  Atlanta and Philly have both employed the lay off strategy and look at the numbers he's putting up.  They are absolutely insane.  

I really don't think there is a defensive strategy that can stop Rajon Rondo anymore.  He's too good.  

Well Lakers did it that game in LA and it worked

[LarBrd33]

chris paul is hurt and his team is nowhere near as good as San Antonio.  On the off chance we make the finals against San Antonio, they are going to own us too.  *shrug*

[OsirusCeltics]

What is absolutely shocking to me is how Chris Paul is given a Free Pass for LAC's EPIC collapse just a few hours ago, but BOS's the talk of ESPN.

They lost a TWENTY-TWO point lead today, IN CLIPPERLAND. yet they are given a free pass.

"Chris Paul is hurt."

So is Rondo.

Like I said its a team game. Chris Paul didn't lose that 22 point lead, the Clippers did

Was it Paul's fault when the Clippers played horrible defense in defending the 3 pointers by the Spurs, which let them get back in the game

By that logic, then it was Rondo's fault for the Celtics missing almost all of their jumpshots in the 4th quarter of game 4

[indeedproceed]

chris paul is hurt and his team is nowhere near as good as San Antonio.  On the off chance we make the finals against San Antonio, they are going to own us too.  *shrug*

'You know what? Goliath is a lot bigger, a lot stronger, and all I've got is this stupid slingshot. Screw it, let's play beerpong and hit on co-eds.'- David

[OsirusCeltics]

"Under-performs in half-court situations?"

Doesn't BOS play most of the time in half-court situations?

I just don't agree with you, there.

MEM's backcourt of TA and Mike Conley was a much better defensive backcourt than the Spurs, but yet CP3 can't get it done.

I think we are too fixated at times on CP3's shooting, which just doesn't impress me that much if he can't overcome his team's deficiencies and will them to win.

And I think you are overlooking Rondo's triple doubles as well - again, proof to me that Rajon can hurt an opponent in so many other ways.

Not all the time. Like Doc said, Celtics are the best when they run. Rondo is a very effective full court fast break player, maybe the best. But in the 4th quarter is where the Celtics play half court, and Rondo is usually not effective. Idk if you forgot how Rondo just drifts to one side of the court in the 4th, doesn't get involved in the play, becomes a bystander. Because he knows he's not a good foul shooter or jumpshooter (all half court essentials). The only time I saw him effective in the half court situation was game 1 against Philly at home, when he made 3 straight jumpshots to win the game

[Celtics18]

"Under-performs in half-court situations?"

Doesn't BOS play most of the time in half-court situations?

I just don't agree with you, there.

MEM's backcourt of TA and Mike Conley was a much better defensive backcourt than the Spurs, but yet CP3 can't get it done.

I think we are too fixated at times on CP3's shooting, which just doesn't impress me that much if he can't overcome his team's deficiencies and will them to win.

And I think you are overlooking Rondo's triple doubles as well - again, proof to me that Rajon can hurt an opponent in so many other ways.

Not all the time. Like Doc said, Celtics are the best when they run. Rondo is a very effective full court fast break player, maybe the best. But in the 4th quarter is where the Celtics play half court, and Rondo is usually not effective. Idk if you forgot how Rondo just drifts to one side of the court in the 4th, doesn't get involved in the play, becomes a bystander. Because he knows he's not a good foul shooter or jumpshooter (all half court essentials). The only time I saw him effective in the half court situation was game 1 against Philly at home, when he made 3 straight jumpshots to win the game

Consider this tidbit regarding Rondo's disappearing fourth quarters:  According to the box scores at NBA.com, Rondo has played about 44 4th quarter minutes so far in the Philly series.  In those minutes he's scored 21 points on 10 of 19 from the field with 16 assists to 3 turnovers.  

Maybe if I get time later, I'll look up Chris Paul's 4th quarter numbers from his last series.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I doubt they'll approach the stellar fourth quarter numbers of Rajon Rondo.

[soap07]

Consider this tidbit regarding Rondo's disappearing fourth quarters:  According to the box scores at NBA.com, Rondo has played 35 4th quarter minutes so far in the Philly series.  In those minutes he's scored 21 points on 10 of 19 from the field with 16 assists to 3 turnovers. 

Maybe if I get time later, I'll look up Chris Paul's 4th quarter numbers from his last series.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I doubt they'll approach the stellar fourth quarters of Rajon Rondo.

Uh, guys? Consider the teams that each respective point guard is playing. The Spurs are about three tiers better than the Sixers.

The Clippers beat the Grizzlies, a team that many thought were more talented, in large part due to Paul's play, especially in the 4th.

Paul is one of the best 4th quarter players in the league, if not the best. One series against a vastly superior team doesn't change that.

[soap07]

CP3 didn't want to come here because we would expect him to PASS......he is allen iverson.....that is all.....

Um. Chris Paul is one of the best passers in the league. As good as Rondo.

[Celtics18]

Consider this tidbit regarding Rondo's disappearing fourth quarters:  According to the box scores at NBA.com, Rondo has played 35 4th quarter minutes so far in the Philly series.  In those minutes he's scored 21 points on 10 of 19 from the field with 16 assists to 3 turnovers. 

Maybe if I get time later, I'll look up Chris Paul's 4th quarter numbers from his last series.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I doubt they'll approach the stellar fourth quarters of Rajon Rondo.

Uh, guys? Consider the teams that each respective point guard is playing. The Spurs are about three tiers better than the Sixers.

The Clippers beat the Grizzlies, a team that many thought were more talented, in large part due to Paul's play, especially in the 4th.

Paul is one of the best 4th quarter players in the league, if not the best. One series against a vastly superior team doesn't change that.

Alright here are the total fourth quarter numbers for Paul vs. the Spurs:  32 Minutes, 11 points, 4 for 17 from the field, 7 assists, 2 turnovers.

That's considerably worse than Rondo's against the better defensive team in the Philadelphia 76ers.

[Atzar]

Chris Paul was clearly playing at about 60% against San Antonio.  He's very clearly better than this when he's healthy.

Having said that, this is a semantic debate anyway.  Chris Paul is a top 5 PG.  Rondo is a top 5 PG.  Which one is better is a matter of team needs and personal preference.