Does Rondo get along with his teammates?

[JoT]

From looking at his interviews and hearing from other players past and present he seems to get along fine with his teammates. I don't know Rajons and Paul's relationship but like what another poster stated he spends time with Ray and his family and I remember him saying in an interview that he hangs out with Kevin a lot.

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I feel like Rondo gets more than his share of criticism. Whenever Rondo has an off game, he gets accused of being "not engaged" mentally.

He certainly plays more/less aggressively at times, but who doesn't? We just notice it more because he has the ball on every offensive possession.

I mean, how is KG going into the post any different? Some games he does it, some he doesn't. We all want him to do it 100% of the time. Yet, I feel like he gets much more of a free pass.

I don't think KG gets more of a free pass, I think the difference between a 'vintage KG' performance of 28 pts and 12 boards in 35 minutes, and a 'bum' KG performance of 14 points and 8 boards is whether or not his shots fall. He's pretty much the same guy all the time, we just get annoyed at his aversion to taking higher percentage shots when his perclivity to taking lower-percentage jump shots bites us in the butt.

Now Rondo on the other hand can look like a completely different style player from game to game, dependent much on his willingness to attack the basket.

Not that i think Rondo is maddeningly inconsistent or anything, but when he is inconsistent, it is pretty maddening.

  KG's had a bunch of games with double digit rebounds, and some with 5-7 boards. He's had a bunch of games with 3-5 blocks and a bunch of games with none. He took 20 shots in the last game, not a single one within 10 feet of the basket. Some games he has 6-8 close attempts, some games 2 or less. Unless you can show me a boatload of posts about how KG isn't engaged or doesn't put in a decent effort in a fair amount of his playoff games, he's clearly getting a free pass compared to Rondo.

  In game 6 the Celts were 13-47 on their jump shots. The guys start missing shots, then they start hesitating before they shoot and sometimes pass when they have the shot. The sixers can then do a better job of packing the lane. I think that may be somewhat related to Rondo's inability to get to the rim during that game.

I'm sorry but it isn't about stats here, in RR's case or KG's (especially). When RR is aggressive (engaged) we as a team are better, I mean he has done it with no scoring at times. KG may not fill up the stat sheet every game but I have never seen someone so into a game as KG, that's every game! Sometimes you miss every shot you take but that doesn't mean you aren't engaged in the game! RR was not into it last game and it was clear to everyone that watched... he was walking the ball up as if we had all the time in the world but we didn't. When he did get out on the break he would stop and slow it down to wait for others to join him but if you look at game 5 (second half), even though no one was with him on the break he still went to the basket full boar, he didn't have AB to run with him then! My theory...


it's Ray Allen: So... when Ray starts it takes a toll on RR both defensively and offensively. Defensively RR can't take as many risks as he could when AB was there, people can't recover to RR's man because they are too busy helping Ray all the time! It's draining on RR to have to keep up with the quicker pgs all game and also RUN an offense. Offensively, if you watch... when Ray is in, the offense goes to less flow and more watch and wait til Ray gets open off of several screens, the only reason it makes it EXTRA bad now (it has been screwy for a long time), Ray can't lose his man anymore (Doc says it after almost every game or when talking to media)! We may not score as many points without Ray but our offense seems to flow much better when he isn't in... that's not really Ray's fault but more injury and age. I know defensively it's a problem for sure because of what RR said (says) when AB starts... you can find me commenting on this before, I thought it was so weird how candid RR was when talking about how great it was that AB got the nod over Ray. When we had that huge lead in game 4, every time Ray came in we couldn't score or defend to save our lives... that was why we didn't have a larger lead at the half and it's when we started to lose that lead in the second half... it was sad that AB was hurt because we needed him! We won in game 5 because for some unknown reason Ray had an amazing defensive game (you could hear the announcers that were totally shocked by it), but as you could see game 6 he couldn't keep it up. Why Doc doesn't go with Pie to start, I can't tell you. We need Ray to do his thing but it must come from off the bench so we can set the tone defensively. I mean listen to Doc getting mad at other guys for not helping Ray with his man, he said something like... we weren't helping each other, we weren't helping the guys who COULDN'T stay in front of their man (Ray)! Does Doc realize how hard it is to always have to help off your man and recover every possession (pretty much)? This is why Hollins gets the nod a lot, so he can help off and recover quickly (which he does better than Stiems) If we make it to the ECF (I know we will), Ray being this bad on D will get eaten alive by Wade! Again, it's Ray's injury affecting everyone else especially RR, he won't be healthy this season and there is no AB to help... so it's going to take a heck of a lot out the other guys and I think they can beat any team in 7 games where you don't have to be good every game, just 4 of them!

I may be talking crap I have no idea about but that's just my opinion...

[Carhole]

I feel like Rondo gets more than his share of criticism. Whenever Rondo has an off game, he gets accused of being "not engaged" mentally.

He certainly plays more/less aggressively at times, but who doesn't? We just notice it more because he has the ball on every offensive possession.

I mean, how is KG going into the post any different? Some games he does it, some he doesn't. We all want him to do it 100% of the time. Yet, I feel like he gets much more of a free pass.

I don't think KG gets more of a free pass, I think the difference between a 'vintage KG' performance of 28 pts and 12 boards in 35 minutes, and a 'bum' KG performance of 14 points and 8 boards is whether or not his shots fall. He's pretty much the same guy all the time, we just get annoyed at his aversion to taking higher percentage shots when his perclivity to taking lower-percentage jump shots bites us in the butt.

Now Rondo on the other hand can look like a completely different style player from game to game, dependent much on his willingness to attack the basket.

Not that i think Rondo is maddeningly inconsistent or anything, but when he is inconsistent, it is pretty maddening.

  KG's had a bunch of games with double digit rebounds, and some with 5-7 boards. He's had a bunch of games with 3-5 blocks and a bunch of games with none. He took 20 shots in the last game, not a single one within 10 feet of the basket. Some games he has 6-8 close attempts, some games 2 or less. Unless you can show me a boatload of posts about how KG isn't engaged or doesn't put in a decent effort in a fair amount of his playoff games, he's clearly getting a free pass compared to Rondo.

  In game 6 the Celts were 13-47 on their jump shots. The guys start missing shots, then they start hesitating before they shoot and sometimes pass when they have the shot. The sixers can then do a better job of packing the lane. I think that may be somewhat related to Rondo's inability to get to the rim during that game.

You watch that game and you really believe that Rondo couldnt get to the rim? He missed numerous layups and turned at least 4 other clear layup opps into long jumpers (for his teammates that couldnt throw the ball in the ocean during the game) because he is horrified of absorbing contact and having to go to the line.

That is exactly the problem with Rondo's "value" if people are hitting jumpers and we are up 2 or 3 possessions in a medium to fast pace game. He is a WORLD beater. Put him in a grind it out game, where you have to fight for you points, get to the line and fight for defensive stops and he is detrimental more often than not.

[BballTim]

I feel like Rondo gets more than his share of criticism. Whenever Rondo has an off game, he gets accused of being "not engaged" mentally.

He certainly plays more/less aggressively at times, but who doesn't? We just notice it more because he has the ball on every offensive possession.

I mean, how is KG going into the post any different? Some games he does it, some he doesn't. We all want him to do it 100% of the time. Yet, I feel like he gets much more of a free pass.

I don't think KG gets more of a free pass, I think the difference between a 'vintage KG' performance of 28 pts and 12 boards in 35 minutes, and a 'bum' KG performance of 14 points and 8 boards is whether or not his shots fall. He's pretty much the same guy all the time, we just get annoyed at his aversion to taking higher percentage shots when his perclivity to taking lower-percentage jump shots bites us in the butt.

Now Rondo on the other hand can look like a completely different style player from game to game, dependent much on his willingness to attack the basket.

Not that i think Rondo is maddeningly inconsistent or anything, but when he is inconsistent, it is pretty maddening.

  KG's had a bunch of games with double digit rebounds, and some with 5-7 boards. He's had a bunch of games with 3-5 blocks and a bunch of games with none. He took 20 shots in the last game, not a single one within 10 feet of the basket. Some games he has 6-8 close attempts, some games 2 or less. Unless you can show me a boatload of posts about how KG isn't engaged or doesn't put in a decent effort in a fair amount of his playoff games, he's clearly getting a free pass compared to Rondo.

  In game 6 the Celts were 13-47 on their jump shots. The guys start missing shots, then they start hesitating before they shoot and sometimes pass when they have the shot. The sixers can then do a better job of packing the lane. I think that may be somewhat related to Rondo's inability to get to the rim during that game.

You watch that game and you really believe that Rondo couldnt get to the rim? He missed numerous layups and turned at least 4 other clear layup opps into long jumpers (for his teammates that couldnt throw the ball in the ocean during the game) because he is horrified of absorbing contact and having to go to the line.

That is exactly the problem with Rondo's "value" if people are hitting jumpers and we are up 2 or 3 possessions in a medium to fast pace game. He is a WORLD beater. Put him in a grind it out game, where you have to fight for you points, get to the line and fight for defensive stops and he is detrimental more often than not.

  He was getting to the rim, but there were a couple of players ready to challenge his shots. He wasn't missing uncontested shots.

[NextCeltic34]

The closer you are with friends, the more situations you see like this... if these dudes hated each other, Pierce wouldn't even waste his time talking to Rondo...

[YouCantHandleTheTruth!]

Without KG, PP and Ray, we were not here speaking about Rondo; we were here speaking about the guy Rondo was dealt for some years ago. Put him play in, say, New Orleans, and then tell me about the triple-doubles.. 

I think the kid has serious problems, with himself (analyst stuff) before than the others.

[OmarSekou]

My at home couch therapist take on Rondo is that he's a know-it-all genius with a chip on his shoulder who doesn't like to be the center of attention and isn't very emotional.

He's going to clash at times with anyone he plays with who doesn't defer to him because he always thinks he's right, and probably sees the game differently. But everyone on this team gets him. He's a surly dude who he cares about winning.

There are certainly times where he overthinks the game and looks bad. But to simplify his attitude and personality to say he can turn it on whenever he wants to is to completely miss who Rondo is. He's complicated.

Maybe he isn't driving because he's trying to set up a play for the next quarter... or next game. It's hard to get a read on him. But I think his teammates get that and support him. They've figured out how to make it work.

He seems like he's pretty sensitive and people are the most critical of him. That's tough and I'm glad he has guys like PP, KG, and Dooling to smack him, hug him, or advise him when he needs it.

[pearljammer10]

Its probably tough for a mid 20's young guy to play ball around late 30 something all stars all the time. Thats a huge gap. I wish Perkins was still here to mend that gap and give Rondo his best pal back, fixing any chemistry or locker room problems we may or may not have.

[Carhole]

I feel like Rondo gets more than his share of criticism. Whenever Rondo has an off game, he gets accused of being "not engaged" mentally.

He certainly plays more/less aggressively at times, but who doesn't? We just notice it more because he has the ball on every offensive possession.

I mean, how is KG going into the post any different? Some games he does it, some he doesn't. We all want him to do it 100% of the time. Yet, I feel like he gets much more of a free pass.

I don't think KG gets more of a free pass, I think the difference between a 'vintage KG' performance of 28 pts and 12 boards in 35 minutes, and a 'bum' KG performance of 14 points and 8 boards is whether or not his shots fall. He's pretty much the same guy all the time, we just get annoyed at his aversion to taking higher percentage shots when his perclivity to taking lower-percentage jump shots bites us in the butt.

Now Rondo on the other hand can look like a completely different style player from game to game, dependent much on his willingness to attack the basket.

Not that i think Rondo is maddeningly inconsistent or anything, but when he is inconsistent, it is pretty maddening.

  KG's had a bunch of games with double digit rebounds, and some with 5-7 boards. He's had a bunch of games with 3-5 blocks and a bunch of games with none. He took 20 shots in the last game, not a single one within 10 feet of the basket. Some games he has 6-8 close attempts, some games 2 or less. Unless you can show me a boatload of posts about how KG isn't engaged or doesn't put in a decent effort in a fair amount of his playoff games, he's clearly getting a free pass compared to Rondo.

  In game 6 the Celts were 13-47 on their jump shots. The guys start missing shots, then they start hesitating before they shoot and sometimes pass when they have the shot. The sixers can then do a better job of packing the lane. I think that may be somewhat related to Rondo's inability to get to the rim during that game.

You watch that game and you really believe that Rondo couldnt get to the rim? He missed numerous layups and turned at least 4 other clear layup opps into long jumpers (for his teammates that couldnt throw the ball in the ocean during the game) because he is horrified of absorbing contact and having to go to the line.

That is exactly the problem with Rondo's "value" if people are hitting jumpers and we are up 2 or 3 possessions in a medium to fast pace game. He is a WORLD beater. Put him in a grind it out game, where you have to fight for you points, get to the line and fight for defensive stops and he is detrimental more often than not.

  He was getting to the rim, but there were a couple of players ready to challenge his shots. He wasn't missing uncontested shots.

So was he "unable" to get to the rim as you stated or were there just defenders there to contest? He is the quickest guy on the court and has supreme athletic ability he should turn those opportunities into points. Or can we only count on our "best" player to score when it is a wide open layup with no one there to contest?

He missed his shots because he intentionally jumps away from contact and tries to float everything to the rim. He should have had 10+ fta attempts last game and he didnt and that is 100% bc he didnt want to.

[Carhole]

As far as this topic goes. People need to stop making excuses for Rondo. He was a well documented petulant child in college, he has been with the celtics and he was at the team usa trials - is it never him?

But I also do not think it matters one iota, if he makes the plays necessary to win the big games - I do not think his teammates care and I sure as heck don't.

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

As far as this topic goes. People need to stop making excuses for Rondo. He was a well documented petulant child in college, he has been with the celtics and he was at the team usa trials - is it never him?

But I also do not think it matters one iota, if he makes the plays necessary to win the big games - I do not think his teammates care and I sure as heck don't.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/rajon-rondo-status-unique-boston-locker-room-130108276.html