KG & Rondo exit early

[JoT]

Why would Rondo stay around to shake lebums hand when that d bag hangs on the rim for 5 seconds and takes a kick at Rondo without getting a T for it?

I truly think Rondo doesn't like them. It's not hate per-se, but I think he has strong dislike for him and Wade.
He most likely respects them as players, but I get the feeling that he has a strong dislike for them.I see him coming out next season trying his absolute hardest to beat them.

I can understand why people will get mad because to many that is unprofessional but I can also see why people aren't mad. I have no problem with it and didn't with LeBron either, but they will raked over the mud by the media for this.

[blink]

TP for you.  Better said that I could.

I also want to say that I love KG and Rondo, probably more than any of our current players.  They give it all, and when you do that I know it is hard to want to hang around after.  I KNOW that they are hurting and p---ed. 

Look, I get the feeling inside to walk away. I get when you feel like something was stolen, and doubts about yourself, and honest, unbridled hate that remains.

I've played sports my entire life, some at a pretty high level (though not nearly as high as it and rondo), some I was pretty darn good at, and still lost in.

You shake hands, you be a man and congratulate the victor. That is what lies in the essence of sport, and to those who say 'you get it or you dont', you don't get it.

We as fans can hate the heat, can hate Lebron James. But, we can do that because we're fans. KG and rondo are peers, and fellow combatants. It's different. You either get it or you don't.

And if you want to look to the Heat's reaction as justification, I think it's a false reasoning. The pride and behavior of a man, whether winner or loser is not decided by the reaction of the opposition. We make our own honor, the lack of honor or decorum from and enemy does not justify the same from us.

[KGs Knee]

Obviously, IP, you're specifically calling me out.  Guess I kinda did the same though.  T won't be any hard feelings though, we both love this team too much to let difference get in the way.   I knew this thread would be a little hot anyway.

That said, I completely disagree with you, find the mentality you express soft, and don't think a man's game needs anything of the sort.  It's my opinion though, and I guess I don't expect all to share it.

Hey, here's to a better run next year.  I think we can agree on that.

[KGs Knee]

Oh, and I've played sports at a fairly high level myself (hockey).  And although its standard practice to shake hands after EVERY game, I always fo d it chessy and lame.

[RJ87]

The more I think about it, the more I back KG and Rondo here.

When I look at this composition of the C', I see guys who get it. Guys who understand sacrifice and what it take to win a title. I see the camraderie and respect amongst them. I see teamwork in its most raw form. Its truly a joy to watch.

With the Heat, I don't see that. I see frontrunning and entitlement. I see contentment. I see celebrating over every dunk. I see whining and complaining to the refs in transition. They're the anti-Ubuntu. If I and other fans see it, then Rondo and KG likely do as well. The end of game handshake is a sign of respect between combatants - its earned. To me, Miami haven't earned anything yet.

[indeedproceed]

That said, I completely disagree with you, find the mentality you express soft, and don't think a man's game needs anything of the sort.  It's my opinion though, and I guess I don't expect all to share it.

I get it, where you're coming from, and ultimately, it isn't a big deal and doesnt encompass Rondo, Kg, or Lebron as players.

But you want to call it soft, and honestly it gets me heated talking about it like that. I've shaken hands with the same linemen who cheaply and illegally tore the ligaments in my knee, despite all the feelings I had inside to take my helmet and smash their faces in. It's not soft to be a man and shake hands. It's the opposite. It shows you for a man who can control his own inner unbridled competitive anger and truly 'leave it all on the floor'.

You called it cheesy, and someone else said 'this isn't buddy ball', but here is a question for you: how can we expect kids, teens, or college athletes to be honorable competitors if we don't expect the same from the very pinnacles in the sport?

Its not cheesy, and it's snot something we should only expect from young players as a token lesson they should pretend to learn and forget. It is the essence of sport. From gladiators to now, it's a show of respect that should be upheld and demanded.

But to reinterate, it does not define kg and rondo as players. It's a crappy response to an emotional situation, but I also don't think the media would be wrong to call it out.

[blink]

It honestly doesn't make a difference if you were an NHL hockey player, or an AAU basketball player.  Those don't make your opinion any more valid (or any less) than anyone else here.  Do you think that gives you a more informed opinion on what is fair or right to do after a game?  I don't.

To me, part of rising to the occasion is how you handle defeat.  It happens to everyone.  I personally think how you handle those moments IS important.  It isn't soft, cheesy, lame or any of the things you said to at least shake hands with the other team.  As I said before, sports and competition is about more than winning.  There is a lesson here that I guess a lot of you don't get, and that is fine.  At least we had Doc, Ray, and PP out there to represent the team.  I agree that it isn't the biggest issue in the world, it just isn't what I would prefer to see.

And I think a lot of people here who are all for KG and Rondo to take off would have had a HUGE problem if DW and LJ did the same thing to us if we would have won.  They would have been called out big time for that. 

Oh, and I've played sports at a fairly high level myself (hockey).  And although its standard practice to shake hands after EVERY game, I always fo d it chessy and lame.

[KGs Knee]

Well, I'm tired, depressed, and going to bed.

All I'll say is; different people have different perspectives, so no big deal I suppsose.  I don't feel any less a man for having the point of view I do, and I highly doubt KG or Rondo do either.

I sleep soundly with who I am.  KG and Rondo do.  And I'm sure those who disagree do as well.

But I still think this who disagree re wrong

[Bahku]

I have no preference either way ... this is an incredibly emotional time for these guys, (one we can't possibly relate to at that level), and how they each deal with it is up to them, (within limits of decency, obviously).

It's easy to be gracious when you've won, and not so easy when you haven't ... to each his own ... I love these guys for the way they play the game, and whether or not they shake hands after the toughest loss of the year matters not.

[KGs Knee]

I just want to ask one question of those who disagree before I truly do call it a night.

Do opponent on. An actual "baatlefield" shake hands after the war is over?

Because for guys like KG and Rondo, this is their "battlefield".

[Trifecta]

I just want to ask one question of those who disagree before I truly do call it a night.

Do opponent on. An actual "baatlefield" shake hands after the war is over?

Because for guys like KG and Rondo, this is their "battlefield".

TP. Absolutely agree.

[Celtics18]

I was hoping everyone would shake hands at the end of that series, but I get the emotion from those two.  I think they were simply too drained, emotionally, mentally, and physically, to stand around glad handing and giving atta boys to the Heat.  I get it.  I wish they'd stayed on the court, but I get it. 

[indeedproceed]

I just want to ask one question of those who disagree before I truly do call it a night.

Do opponent on. An actual "baatlefield" shake hands after the war is over?

Because for guys like KG and Rondo, this is their "battlefield".

Yes they do, when the war is over. At least when some kind of peace is found. And as far as comparing it to an actual battlefield, paraphrasing Art Donovan, HOF defensive tackle and WW2 veteran, 'I been in actual war, like real war, seen guys die in my hands in trenches, this ain't (freaking) war.'

I get that they're competitive, but come on, don't compare it to actual warfare, it demeans the sacrifice.

[EDWARDO]

I just want to ask one question of those who disagree before I truly do call it a night.

Do opponent on. An actual "baatlefield" shake hands after the war is over?

Because for guys like KG and Rondo, this is their "battlefield".

This "battlefield" comparison just got taken WWWAAAYYY too far. Go ask someone who's been in close combat if they'd compare it to a basketball game. Truly offensive.

Of al the crazy ridiculous embarrassing posts a night like tonight generates, this is the worst.

[NoraG1]

This is STILL being discussed? I am sure neither team is losing sleep over it. Let's get over it. Since when have either of these guys been 'polite' neither did anything I would not expect them to do. Whether or not they are perfect and polite is not what I expect out of any athlete. There are far greater things going on in the world then being upset about then this.