We are finally seeing the torch being passed to Rondo

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, I personally hope they ALL hold the torch for the next few games...



Just "Git er done", lol..

[Boris Badenov]

All this talk about passing torches, though... I'm a little curious... has Pierce himself made any comments to suggest this is Rondo's team now?  I know KG has, but KG is just that kinda guy.  This team has been Garnett's since he arrived in 2008, but he always pretended like Paul Pierce was the "man" here out of respect and to prevent any ruffled feathers.  KG is the ultimate teammate.  Pierce kept the "captain" badge and continued to be the last player announced.   Pierce is the kinda guy who tries to convince himself he's the greatest player in the world.  I always assumed that was a motivational thing... to be one of the best you have to have confidence that you are the best.  

Has Pierce officially "passed the torch" to Rondo yet or does he still believe (tell himself) this "his" team?

It's like this:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/best-friends-each-secretly-think-of-the-other-as-s,1476/

[LarBrd33]

All this talk about passing torches, though... I'm a little curious... has Pierce himself made any comments to suggest this is Rondo's team now?  I know KG has, but KG is just that kinda guy.  This team has been Garnett's since he arrived in 2008, but he always pretended like Paul Pierce was the "man" here out of respect and to prevent any ruffled feathers.  KG is the ultimate teammate.  Pierce kept the "captain" badge and continued to be the last player announced.   Pierce is the kinda guy who tries to convince himself he's the greatest player in the world.  I always assumed that was a motivational thing... to be one of the best you have to have confidence that you are the best.  

Has Pierce officially "passed the torch" to Rondo yet or does he still believe (tell himself) this "his" team?

It's like this:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/best-friends-each-secretly-think-of-the-other-as-s,1476/

Lol exactly.

[Celtics18]

All this talk about passing torches, though... I'm a little curious... has Pierce himself made any comments to suggest this is Rondo's team now?  I know KG has, but KG is just that kinda guy.  This team has been Garnett's since he arrived in 2008, but he always pretended like Paul Pierce was the "man" here out of respect and to prevent any ruffled feathers.  KG is the ultimate teammate.  Pierce kept the "captain" badge and continued to be the last player announced.   Pierce is the kinda guy who tries to convince himself he's the greatest player in the world.  I always assumed that was a motivational thing... to be one of the best you have to have confidence that you are the best.  

Has Pierce officially "passed the torch" to Rondo yet or does he still believe (tell himself) this "his" team?

The team doesn't belong to one guy.  I think it's time for me to remind folks of the word "Ubuntu."

[OsirusCeltics]

i still say the team only goes as far as KG and Pierce takes them.

  The team won't win if KG and Pierce play like garbage, but there's a reason people have been saying "as Rondo goes, so go the Celts" for 3-4 years. He's clearly the one that's carrying the team right now.

Agree to disagree.  I still think it's interesting that Boston tends to get the job done even when Rondo has DNP (most recently Game 2 of the Atlanta series) in part due to Pierce stepping up.  Since Rondo became an allstar, we have a 22-13 record in games that Rondo misses games... a 10-11 record when Pierce misses games.  Alternatively, Rondo can have the greatest game of his entire career... go for 44 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds... and it still doesn't guarantee a win.  I think Rondo is a fantastic player, but I still say this team goes only as far as KG and Pierce takes it.  If they are on their games... we are very tough to beat.  

I totally agree with that. If Pierce or KG have a stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds, its almost impossible Celtics would lose that game. On the other hand Rondo could have the same numbers, and the Celtics could still be down by 15 and lose the game

The difference is that Pierce and KG make impactful points. That is what makes them hall of fame players. But theres no doubt Rondo is the most talented player on the Celtics

[Celtics18]

Well, I personally hope they ALL hold the torch for the next few games...



Just "Git er done", lol..

Ubuntu!!!!

[mc34]

All this talk about passing torches, though... I'm a little curious... has Pierce himself made any comments to suggest this is Rondo's team now?  I know KG has, but KG is just that kinda guy.  This team has been Garnett's since he arrived in 2008, but he always pretended like Paul Pierce was the "man" here out of respect and to prevent any ruffled feathers.  KG is the ultimate teammate.  Pierce kept the "captain" badge and continued to be the last player announced.   Pierce is the kinda guy who tries to convince himself he's the greatest player in the world.  I always assumed that was a motivational thing... to be one of the best you have to have confidence that you are the best.  

Has Pierce officially "passed the torch" to Rondo yet or does he still believe (tell himself) this "his" team?

this is what I'm talking about - despite the Celtics being a team that doesn't laud individual achievement, Pierce clearly sees himself the leader (along with KG) on this team, rightfully so. however, maybe reluctantly but acceptingly, Pierce is starting to realize that the team plays the best running things through Rondo. because Pierce has been the "closer" for so long we've seen him take over the offense, for better or worse, in the fourth quarter. the "passing of the torch," as I called it, is best demonstrated by the offense being run through Rondo late in games.

[BballTim]

i still say the team only goes as far as KG and Pierce takes them.

  The team won't win if KG and Pierce play like garbage, but there's a reason people have been saying "as Rondo goes, so go the Celts" for 3-4 years. He's clearly the one that's carrying the team right now.

Agree to disagree.  I still think it's interesting that Boston tends to get the job done even when Rondo has DNP (most recently Game 2 of the Atlanta series) in part due to Pierce stepping up.  Since Rondo became an allstar, we have a 22-13 record in games that Rondo misses games... a 10-11 record when Pierce misses games.  Alternatively, Rondo can have the greatest game of his entire career... go for 44 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds... and it still doesn't guarantee a win.  I think Rondo is a fantastic player, but I still say this team goes only as far as KG and Pierce takes it.  If they are on their games... we are very tough to beat.  

I totally agree with that. If Pierce or KG have a stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds, its almost impossible Celtics would lose that game. On the other hand Rondo could have the same numbers, and the Celtics could still be down by 15 and lose the game

The difference is that Pierce and KG make impactful points. That is what makes them hall of fame players. But theres no doubt Rondo is the most talented player on the Celtics

  That's pretty nonsensical. Again, a few more "impactful" points from KG or PP the other night we'd have won. You could just as easily say that Rondo's 44 points wasn't enough to make up for the play of the rest of the team.

  LeBron's scored 34 points in each of the last two games. By the logic you two are using, his contributions aren't valuable because those points didn't guarantee a victory, and the Heat will only go as far as Battier and Haslem carry them. When those two played well it was enough to tip the scales towards the Heat, when the role players contribute nothing it's hard for LeBron to win the game single handedly.

 

[mr. dee]

i still say the team only goes as far as KG and Pierce takes them.

  The team won't win if KG and Pierce play like garbage, but there's a reason people have been saying "as Rondo goes, so go the Celts" for 3-4 years. He's clearly the one that's carrying the team right now.

Agree to disagree.  I still think it's interesting that Boston tends to get the job done even when Rondo has DNP (most recently Game 2 of the Atlanta series) in part due to Pierce stepping up.  Since Rondo became an allstar, we have a 22-13 record in games that Rondo misses games... a 10-11 record when Pierce misses games.  Alternatively, Rondo can have the greatest game of his entire career... go for 44 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds... and it still doesn't guarantee a win.  I think Rondo is a fantastic player, but I still say this team goes only as far as KG and Pierce takes it.  If they are on their games... we are very tough to beat.  

I totally agree with that. If Pierce or KG have a stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds, its almost impossible Celtics would lose that game. On the other hand Rondo could have the same numbers, and the Celtics could still be down by 15 and lose the game

The difference is that Pierce and KG make impactful points. That is what makes them hall of fame players. But theres no doubt Rondo is the most talented player on the Celtics

  That's pretty nonsensical. Again, a few more "impactful" points from KG or PP the other night we'd have won. You could just as easily say that Rondo's 44 points wasn't enough to make up for the play of the rest of the team.

  LeBron's scored 34 points in each of the last two games. By the logic you two are using, his contributions aren't valuable because those points didn't guarantee a victory, and the Heat will only go as far as Battier and Haslem carry them. When those two played well it was enough to tip the scales towards the Heat, when the role players contribute nothing it's hard for LeBron to win the game single handedly.

 

You hit the nail on the head...

[soap07]

Rondo has been the best player on the C's since at least 2010.

The "torch passing" is irrelevant and is something that sportswriters like to gin up so they have something to write about.

I totally agree with that. If Pierce or KG have a stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds, its almost impossible Celtics would lose that game. On the other hand Rondo could have the same numbers, and the Celtics could still be down by 15 and lose the game

The difference is that Pierce and KG make impactful points. That is what makes them hall of fame players. But theres no doubt Rondo is the most talented player on the Celtics

I've read this a couple times and I'm a little confused by what it means. So if Pierce scores 40/15, and the rest of the Celtics don't play well, the Celtics would still definitely win the game? Whereas with Rondo - if he scores 40/15....it's the opposite? Or something?

[scaryjerry]

i still say the team only goes as far as KG and Pierce takes them.

lol...except this postseason we're seeing them go as far as rondo and kg are taking us....are you not wathcing?

[OsirusCeltics]

Rondo has been the best player on the C's since at least 2010.

The "torch passing" is irrelevant and is something that sportswriters like to gin up so they have something to write about.

I totally agree with that. If Pierce or KG have a stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds, its almost impossible Celtics would lose that game. On the other hand Rondo could have the same numbers, and the Celtics could still be down by 15 and lose the game

The difference is that Pierce and KG make impactful points. That is what makes them hall of fame players. But theres no doubt Rondo is the most talented player on the Celtics

I've read this a couple times and I'm a little confused by what it means. So if Pierce scores 40/15, and the rest of the Celtics don't play well, the Celtics would still definitely win the game? Whereas with Rondo - if he scores 40/15....it's the opposite? Or something?

Naw like for example Rondo can score 20 points, have 10 assists, 10 rebounds and have a triple double. But if none of that production was in the 4th quarter, it lacks its importance, as great as that stat line is

When the Celtics need an important bucket 4th quarter, they turn to KG and Pierce, and after that Ray Allen. Pierce, KG, and Ray can score 10 straight points in the last 5 minutes of the game. Rondo on the other hand seems tentative to dominate in the 4th. He still doesn't have a consistent jumpshot to be counted on in the final minutes

Yes Rondo has performed very well when it counted recently. But I won't go by a couple of rounds in this years playoffs to definitively say "The torch is being passed" to Rondo

[Russell1]

great

[BballTim]

Rondo has been the best player on the C's since at least 2010.

The "torch passing" is irrelevant and is something that sportswriters like to gin up so they have something to write about.

I totally agree with that. If Pierce or KG have a stat line of 40 points, 15 rebounds, its almost impossible Celtics would lose that game. On the other hand Rondo could have the same numbers, and the Celtics could still be down by 15 and lose the game

The difference is that Pierce and KG make impactful points. That is what makes them hall of fame players. But theres no doubt Rondo is the most talented player on the Celtics

I've read this a couple times and I'm a little confused by what it means. So if Pierce scores 40/15, and the rest of the Celtics don't play well, the Celtics would still definitely win the game? Whereas with Rondo - if he scores 40/15....it's the opposite? Or something?

Naw like for example Rondo can score 20 points, have 10 assists, 10 rebounds and have a triple double. But if none of that production was in the 4th quarter, it lacks its importance, as great as that stat line is

When the Celtics need an important bucket 4th quarter, they turn to KG and Pierce, and after that Ray Allen. Pierce, KG, and Ray can score 10 straight points in the last 5 minutes of the game. Rondo on the other hand seems tentative to dominate in the 4th. He still doesn't have a consistent jumpshot to be counted on in the final minutes

Yes Rondo has performed very well when it counted recently. But I won't go by a couple of rounds in this years playoffs to definitively say "The torch is being passed" to Rondo

  So, if Rondo's contribution to the team when he has a triple double are "unimportant", then why do we win so often when he has one? In the last 4 years we're 8-1 in the playoffs when Rondo has a triple double, 28-26 when he doesn't. I think we're also undefeated during the regular season when he has a triple double. See a pattern? It's not that Rondo's contributions are lacking in importance, it's that you can't understand why it's important.

[CelticsFanNC]

    IMO anybody who believes this isn't "Rondo's team" so to speak is in denial.   The Big Three can no longer bring it night in and night out.  It's not due to lack of effort or desire it is due to old legs.  Rondo is driving this train now.

  That doesn't mean Pierce and KG aren't important pieces only that they are no longer the key piece.  For better or worse this is now Rondo's team.  Lucky for us it has been overwhelmingly good since mid season.