Rondo's and Pietrus's Defenseive Woes

[rayallen1934]

Whats been hidden in these amazing Rondo games has been his lack of defense.

The kid has been doing so much and expending so much energy, running the offense, scoring, getting rebounds, getting pounded going to the basket and getting to the line, i think its effected his defense! ITS NOT HIT FAULT but it really has

Which is why I loved that move to Keyon Dooling, he was fresh and it really actually turned the game around.

Either Rondo has to step it up on defense, which will be difficult given his huge responsibility to every facet of this offense, or Doc must give him a rest at some point to get Keyon in there to heighten up the ball pressure.

Keyon was amazing yesterday when he came in.


And you can tell Pietrus is hobbled because his defense was pretty bad. The real Pietrus does not look that slow at reacting. Im hoping he turns it around because we are going to need him to get some big stops on Lebron and Wade.

[clover]

You might as well address Ray and Paul's defensive woes while you're at it.

[Swoopz]

I think Ray's been ok, but Bass and Stiemsma have just been giving away fouls

[Fafnir]

I think Rondo has done a pretty good job on Wade and Chalmers his two primary matchups. He hasn't been ball pressuring much at all, but I can't fault him that given his overall effort level and responsibility.

He's still getting a lot of deflections and steals every game.

[RJ87]

I haven't had an issue with Rondo's defense. When Dooling comes in his job is to apply fullcourt pressure and just have energy; it works because Dooling is in for such short bursts of time, its okay if he expends all his energy by picking up fullcourt. Rondo has to do something different - and he is. I like his communication. He's fighting through screens instea of stepping under. He's spent short minutes on Dwade and Lebron, in addition to Chalmers. He's doing what he can.

Now Pietrus... I actually like his defense - on Dwade. Not so much on Lebron. Despite the advantage Pietrus has in size, I think Quisy does a better job on Lebron.

[eugen]

Which is why I loved that move to Keyon Dooling, he was fresh and it really actually turned the game around.

Dooling was fenomenal yesterday. Almost shut down Chalmers

[snively]

Rondo was fine yesterday.  His biggest problem is losing track of 3-point shooters in broken plays.

Pietrus had some ugly moments: rough playoffs for him thus far.  Still, I love what he's done on the boards.

[pearljammer10]

Whats been hidden in these amazing Rondo games has been his lack of defense.

The kid has been doing so much and expending so much energy, running the offense, scoring, getting rebounds, getting pounded going to the basket and getting to the line, i think its effected his defense! ITS NOT HIT FAULT but it really has

Which is why I loved that move to Keyon Dooling, he was fresh and it really actually turned the game around.

Either Rondo has to step it up on defense, which will be difficult given his huge responsibility to every facet of this offense, or Doc must give him a rest at some point to get Keyon in there to heighten up the ball pressure.

Keyon was amazing yesterday when he came in.


And you can tell Pietrus is hobbled because his defense was pretty bad. The real Pietrus does not look that slow at reacting. Im hoping he turns it around because we are going to need him to get some big stops on Lebron and Wade.

Although his defense isnt stellar, its still well above average.

Plus, are you really going to call out a guy for averaging 27 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals a game while shooting 55% from the field?! I mean come on, what else would you like the man to do?

Last night I was so mad that Petey was in the game in the fourth quarter...I personally think he killed us. Daniels has an amazing amazing third, and then he is taken out for Petey and sits all fourth? I love Doc, but i mean come on! When is he going to get it?

[scaryjerry]

Yawn

[scaryjerry]

You might as well address Ray and Paul's defensive woes while you're at it.

exactly. tp.

Absolutely astonished I just had to read the hidden things in these games has been rondos "defensive woes"

get lost.

we can find possesions KG isnt getting it done, can we bring that up too!? just stop...PLEASE STOP....rondos defense has been absolutely fine guarding wade, chalmers and even at some times lebron....all keyon can do is pressure the ball and bring energy and be a good locker room guy, thats his only role

[Celtics18]

Rondo's defense has been extremely good this post season and in this series in particular. 

[KGs Knee]

Oddly enough, I've felt both have been playing defense rather well.  Not exceptional, but solid.

Pietrus' "D" has been the only thing keeping him on the court.  Rondo doesn't put a lot of pressure on the ball because it's too much.  He has to do so many other things.

This is where Bradley is missed.  With him and Rondo playing together, you'd get both Bradley's ball pressure and Rondo's exceptional ability to play passing lanes.  Dooling can replicate that somewhat, but Rondo and Dooling together isn't a good line-up to use for long stretches.

[rayallen1934]

peoples feelings get hurt way too easy in here.

Read my post again and see where i called out Rondo? or Pietrus


watch the games, Rondo was letting Chalmers do what he wanted , score was 28-23, when Rondo came out, Dooling and Quis come in

and we took the lead and Miami stopped scoring

Ball penetration is key in this series and dooling was fresh and his role is too do just that

Rondo has too many responsibilities, doesnt mean im calling him out or blaming him.

Ray Allen has been Ray Allen in this series , not the best defense when Wade has him 1 on 1 but he did a decent job of covering him during sets.

What do you want from Pierce, look who hes guarding.



Im not blaming Rondo for anything, but i do love when Keyon comes in and harasses Chalmers, it really worked wonders when we were down 5, and next thing you know we were up 39-30, 11-2 run.

[Capricious]

Rondo forces players into the help, so when the help isn't there (bass..) it looks bad.

His defense has been fine, especially considering what hes doing on the offensive end.

[BballTim]

peoples feelings get hurt way too easy in here.

Read my post again and see where i called out Rondo? or Pietrus


watch the games, Rondo was letting Chalmers do what he wanted , score was 28-23, when Rondo came out, Dooling and Quis come in

and we took the lead and Miami stopped scoring

Ball penetration is key in this series and dooling was fresh and his role is too do just that

Rondo has too many responsibilities, doesnt mean im calling him out or blaming him.

Ray Allen has been Ray Allen in this series , not the best defense when Wade has him 1 on 1 but he did a decent job of covering him during sets.

What do you want from Pierce, look who hes guarding.



Im not blaming Rondo for anything, but i do love when Keyon comes in and harasses Chalmers, it really worked wonders when we were down 5, and next thing you know we were up 39-30, 11-2 run.

  Rondo's spent a lot of time on Wade the last couple of games and has done a great job of keeping him in check. I think a lot of people see opposing point guards score and just assume that Rondo's guarding that player. Rondo's defense isn't perfect but it's very good, especially for someone that's leading the league in minutes and has much more responsibility on the offensive end than the other perimeter defenders.