Please Don't Ever Say Again Rondo Doesn't Turn it On and Off

[green tea]

Very interesting perspectives here.  

Been watching since the early 80s, and what I saw Rondo do last night is right up there with the best performances I've seen from the likes of Bird, Magic or Jordan.  Truly a transcendental display.

So the question: does Rondo give 100% effort every game?  

Despite his supreme efforts during the playoffs, I think most people would agree that he does NOT give 100% effort every single game during the regular season.    

So the other question is: SHOULD Rondo go all out every single game?  I strongly feel that he should not during the regular season.   

That's not to say that he should be lazy or that I condone lazy play.  But when Rondo is at his best, he is penetrating and putting his body on the line.  If he were to do that every single regular season game, he might string together an entire regular season of games where his stats are unbelievable.  And then he would break down or have a lot less left in the tank for the playoffs.  

Rondo is one smart dude...I think he makes clear decisions to preserve his body just enough during the regular season so that he can be at his best during the playoffs.  If that means taking a game off here and there against teams like the Raptors or Bobcats, I'm fine with that.  He's not built like a tank, and all of us worry when he takes hard fouls going to the basket.  It's easy for us armchair point guards to criticize his effort level...but we have no idea how many hidden ailments these guys are dealing with on a daily basis.



Regular season: Conscious decision to preserve his body, meaning some pretty quiet games from time to time.  

Playoffs: When the playoffs start, we all know that Rondo gives 100% effort every game...because that's when it matters most.  

[Celtics18]

I don't think Rondo's problem is effort, I think it is talent.  The overwhelmingly significant difference between the two games for Rondo was that in game 2 he was hitting the wide open mid range shots.  That forced Miami to adjust how they were defending.  Everything else flowed from there.  Rondo played the game of his life in a big moment.

Think of this as compared to golf.  A golfer can go out and nail all the putts in a day and shoot the round of his life.  The difference between the scratch golfer and the average golfer is that the average golfer does not have the ability to nail the putts the next round where as the scratch golfer will.

To date, Rondo has not shown the ability to make the shots consistently.  He made them last night and he was awesome.  I feel there is the opportunity for Rondo to have the talent, like the scratch golfer, but so far he has not shown it.  It is still just potential at this point.

Even though I am critical of Rondo and feel he is often over-rated on this blog and in general, I actually do believe that he will get over the hump and actually be the player we saw last night but with consistency from game to game, week to week, etc.

Congrats Rondo on a great game.

  It's true that a big the difference between the two games was Rondo hitting his outside shots. It's also true that he's dominated plenty of games where he's either not hit or not taken outside shots.

Personally I thought the "big difference" between game 2 and game 1 was that in Game 1 Rondo got to the line 0 times... in Game 2, he got to the line 10 times in the first half alone. 

That comes down to aggression.  This isn't even arguable... Rondo has an on/off switch.  Again, I don't know if it's because he's a headcase or because he doesn't have the energy to go that hard every night.  He takes a beating driving to the hoop.

As someone commented... yes, I agree that every player has their effort fluctuate.  Yes, LeBron has nights where he's going at it harder... he'll throw up 40+ pretty frequently, but still manage to average his 27, 7 and 7 consistently.  Last night was probably the best game Rondo will ever have in his career and a lot of it came down to effort.  Having (by far) the best shooting night of his life certainly helped... but normally you can rely on Rondo to give you 11 points consistently and last night he was in full-blown attack mode... dropped 44. 

I lean more towards the idea that he simply doesn't have it in him to go that hard every night.  I don't mean he's wired differently than KG or Kobe... i just mean that I literally don't think he can take the pain of attacking the rim like that every game.  Part of the reason I think the next two games will be won by Miami easily.  Game 2 was our 1 game to steal.  Rondo doesn't have another one of these in him this year.

You're probably right.  It's not likely that Rondo goes for 44 again in these playoffs.  Personally I'd love to see him get about 20 assists and maybe no more than 10 shot attempts in a total team effort in game 3 where everybody's hitting shots and Rondo's running the show with, of course, the end result being a nice Celtic victory.

Of course, if that happens, some of you will be talking about what a lazy game he had. 

No... if he goes for 20 assists the storyline will be, "RAY AND PAUL ARE BACK BABY!!!", because that's the only way he'll be dropping 20 assists.   

And for the record... I'm with you.  I'd love to see that happen.  But I don't know if ROndo can drop 20 assists with Ray's ankle spurs and Paul's sprained MCL.

I just want to see a Celtics win.  That'd be enough story line for me.  I think that with the way Rondo has been hitting jumpers that, if they play it right, this could open up a lot of good looks for everybody else in game 3.

I would love to see KG doing a lot more rolling than popping off the high pick in the next game.  I'm guessing that the Heat will be trapping a little more and that could open up some lobs at the rim for the Ticket.  Paul, make some more back door cuts and Ray just wait in the corner.  

If we want to get the next one, it's about making the right adjustments and not just having Rondo go all Russell Westbrook again.  

Luckily, we have the smartest floor general in the game on our side.  That should help.

[twinbree]

Sigh are we really going to use an ECF game where Rondo played 53!!! minutes to argue that he turns it on and off? Unless Rondo is a robot a mutant or was given superpowers by an irradiated basketball it is absolutely ridiculous to expect him to do anything close to this on a regular basis.

No one consistently lives out their potential. I'm supposed to be working yet here I am posting in this thread. If I leave today having done 70-85% of what I was supposed to do today I'll consider my day a success. Some days are more productive than others that's just how it is. You can't expect players to give the same effort and productivity each game. It's unrealistic and unreasonable. It makes more sense to put a confidence interval about their averages and use that to judge them.

We keep saying if only Rondo would make FTs, put the team on his back, make jumpers, take over the clutch, cure cancer, finish the twelve labors, etc. And when he does we can't even take a minute to enjoy the experience. Sometimes we're so focused on what we want Rondo to be that we don't take time to appreciate what he is now and how far he's come and how much he continues to grow before our very eyes. Yesterday I was so proud of him. If you'd told me 3 years ago Rondo would have a game like this on the road I would have had a hard time believing it.

[BballTim]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead. 

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

[scaryjerry]

Well I guess he learned well from the captain of the team

[scaryjerry]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead. 

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

TP! if the rondo critics want to be taken seriously they'd be more critical of KG after last night...Period....yet theyre just here saying how solid he was last night! 
by the standards rondo is graded around here..KG was bad last night, awful in the clutch and didnt stop anyone well enough defensively, get the critical rebounds, and missed almost all of his late game shots

[Carhole]

I don't even need to read the thread, as a poster on here that has been very outspoken about rondo it is ludicrous to point to his unbelievable play as a negative. Especially a game like that. I do not believe it is a matter of turning it on/off that he went 10/12 on 17 foot jumpers last night. I think the kid just played a spectacular game and showed some real aggression going towards the rim.

If he could do it every night he would, I happen to not think he can. But, i just do not understand what the guy can do to disprove the on/off switch argument besides never be outstanding.

Rondo was great last night, turned his weakness into strengths for 53 minutes - there is no downside. Give the kid 24 hours of props for an historic performance in an important game

[Celtics18]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead. 

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

Thank you, Tim.  Rondo's been great and KG's been great (last night the grind seemed to catch up to him a bit).  That's why we are still alive in this thing. 

Unfortunately, some think basketball is an individual sport and you can only have one hero. 

[LarBrd33]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead.  

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

Do you pay much attention to KG on defense?  Do you watch him without the ball when we are on offense?  He does more for our team than anyone... True MVP right there.  He's the anchor.  Hat's off to KG for carrying us in these playoffs.  Hall of famer playing like a hall of famer.

[Donoghus]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead. 

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

Do you pay much attention to KG on defense?  Do you watch him without the ball when we are on offense?  He does more for our team than anyone... True MVP right there.  He's the anchor.

I'd say that KG's the anchor but also say that Rondo is the straw.

Its never been more evident than the past 2+ months.

[Moranis]

I don't think the difference in the two games is necessarily effort, but there was a clear difference in Rondo's intention.  What I mean is, in game 1, it seemed like Rondo wanted to be a facilitator and shot or drove as a second or third thought on each possession.  Most of his drives and shots at the hoop were with the shot clock winding down.  He also clearly dribbled through a lot of open looks waiting for people to get open.  In game 2, he determined he was going to be the man and pushed out on breaks, took pull up jumpers, took the open shots, and aggressively drove to the hoop with plenty of time left on the shot clock.  

If Boston is going to win the series (or even a game in it), Rondo has to be the player from game 2.  He has to be that player next year as well.  Sure his shots won't always fall, but Rondo needs to be a 25/8 type player rather than 11/12 type player.  He absolutely needs to be more like Westbrook and Rose and less like Nash given the current makeup of the team.  Sure if Boston has two or three elite players in its prime (as it has in the past), then Rondo the facilitator is probably what is best for the team, but right now the team doesn't have those two or three elite players so it needs Rondo the scorer.  

TP. THIS is what I am basically meaning by my comments. He makes a decision as to which player he is going to be from the opening tip. Yes it takes a lot of effort to decide to be the second, but that is exactly what we need. It is what I expect since he is capable of being the man. He is clearly our best player when he does this and I don't understand mentally how he would shy away from that.

I don't ever want to see Rajon Rondo playing like Russell Westbrook full time.  He's way to good of a passer, distributor, and floor general for that.  I think some are questioning his effort if he's not John Stockton, Derrick Rose, and Gary Payton all rolled into one every single time he steps on the floor.  That sure is a lot to ask, but Rajon sure seems to be working on it.

The problem is, his teammates are no longer good enough for Boston to win when he is the floor general.  He has to be Westbrook like or Boston cannot win. 

[Yogi]

The only endorsement of Rondo I need is from KG.  KG does not respect selfish players, lazy players or young players who don't listen.  KG loves Rondo like a son.  If people want to make a judgement about Rondo based on what "they see" and ignore facts that's great.  I'll take the opinions of the Hall-of-Famers who go to battle with Rondo every day.  

[BballTim]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead.  

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

Do you pay much attention to KG on defense?  Do you watch him without the ball when we are on offense?  He does more for our team than anyone... True MVP right there.  He's the anchor.  Hat's off to KG for carrying us in these playoffs.  Hall of famer playing like a hall of famer.

  Yes, I watch what KG does in the games, and I also see what Rondo does for the team on both ends of the court (which you seem to miss, game after game). Both of them are playing very well, both of them are contributing to the team. I'm not saying KG is playing poorly, just that if you were as hyper-critical of him as you are of Rondo you would have just as low an opinion of him as you do of Rondo. Your "I notice every flaw in Rondo's game but KG is my idol and is playing brilliantly night in and night out" act is wearing a bit thin.

[LarBrd33]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead.  

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

Do you pay much attention to KG on defense?  Do you watch him without the ball when we are on offense?  He does more for our team than anyone... True MVP right there.  He's the anchor.  Hat's off to KG for carrying us in these playoffs.  Hall of famer playing like a hall of famer.

  Yes, I watch what KG does in the games, and I also see what Rondo does for the team on both ends of the court (which you seem to miss, game after game). Both of them are playing very well, both of them are contributing to the team. I'm not saying KG is playing poorly, just that if you were as hyper-critical of him as you are of Rondo you would have just as low an opinion of him as you do of Rondo. Your "I notice every flaw in Rondo's game but KG is my idol and is playing brilliantly night in and night out" act is wearing a bit thin.

I've said multiple times in this thread that Rondo just had the greatest game he'll probably have in his entire career.  I definitely didn't miss it.  He was otherworldly.  But I agree that Rondo lacks consistency and last night was a good example of it.  Well before he had 44 points, I saw a guy who was attacking the hoop with reckless abandon.  I think he had 10 attempted free throws in the first half.  Early on I took note and said, "Wow... looks like Rondo is going after it tonight".   People like to say there is a "bad Rondo" and a "good Rondo".  I don't really agree with that.  I just think he's a fantastic player who isn't a superstar.  Superstars do it consistently.  Rondo is still my favorite player to watch on the Celtics and my default 2nd favorite player on the team (behind Pierce).  I'll name my next pet after him if he remains a Celtic. 

[BballTim]

I don't think Rondo's played harder than KG, I don't think KG is physically capable of expending as much energy as Rondo at age 36 with his much greater defensive role.

KG is dominating defensively while managing to average 20 and 10.  Nobody does more for this team on both ends of the court.  I didn't want to say it... glad you said it instead.  

  Who's KG dominating defensively, Joel Anthony? He's not doing a ton to stop Wade and James, he's not keeping the Heat from scoring at the rim. He's playing well, but if you looked at his game as critically as you look at Rondo's you'd have a different opinion of him. Rondo's doing as much for the Celts as KG during the playoffs. 19/11 from KG is great, 17/7/12 from Rondo is equally great.

Do you pay much attention to KG on defense?  Do you watch him without the ball when we are on offense?  He does more for our team than anyone... True MVP right there.  He's the anchor.  Hat's off to KG for carrying us in these playoffs.  Hall of famer playing like a hall of famer.

  Yes, I watch what KG does in the games, and I also see what Rondo does for the team on both ends of the court (which you seem to miss, game after game). Both of them are playing very well, both of them are contributing to the team. I'm not saying KG is playing poorly, just that if you were as hyper-critical of him as you are of Rondo you would have just as low an opinion of him as you do of Rondo. Your "I notice every flaw in Rondo's game but KG is my idol and is playing brilliantly night in and night out" act is wearing a bit thin.

I've said multiple times in this thread that Rondo just had the greatest game he'll probably have in his entire career.  I definitely didn't miss it.  He was otherworldly.  But I agree that Rondo lacks consistency and last night was a good example of it.  Well before he had 44 points, I saw a guy who was attacking the hoop with reckless abandon.  I think he had 10 attempted free throws in the first half.  Early on I took note and said, "Wow... looks like Rondo is going after it tonight".   People like to say there is a "bad Rondo" and a "good Rondo".  I don't really agree with that.  I just think he's a fantastic player who isn't a superstar.  Superstars do it consistently.  Rondo is still my favorite player to watch on the Celtics and my default 2nd favorite player on the team (behind Pierce).  I'll name my next pet after him if he remains a Celtic. 

  Rondo didn't attack the rim any more last night than he did in the first game. He's also been very consistent in the playoffs. I also think that most other "superstars" don't have the consistency you claim that they do. I'm fairly skeptical that Rondo's your second favorite player on the team, given your comments about his effort and consistency and the way you constantly gush over KG. I'd also say that Rondo's your favorite player to watch in the context that your favorite thing to do during games is find flaws in Rondo's games.