I think Rondo truly takes over this team next year

[RJ87]

Don't hold your breath   Heck Ainge might trade him for real this time. I heard Dwight is available. Just saying

 

Are you telling me you wouldn't trade Rondo 4 Dwight?

Mark it down now: if the C's trade Rondo for D12, I'd be 100% against it. He may be talented but I have serious question marks regarding his committment to his team and to winning a title. I think his obsessive need to be liked really gets in the way of the big picture.

[InfiniteMH]

Don't hold your breath  Heck Ainge might trade him for real this time. I heard Dwight is available. Just saying

 

Are you telling me you wouldn't trade Rondo 4 Dwight?

What has Dwight accomplished so far in his glorious career? I also like how he quits on his team.

Don't hold your breath   Heck Ainge might trade him for real this time. I heard Dwight is available. Just saying

By all accounts, Dwight wants no part of Boston. Can we please stop fawning over these ringless superstars who don't want to be here? These playoffs really reinforced Celtics pride for me. If a guy doesn't understand and appreciate what being a Celtics means - the tradition that comes with that - then I don't want him here.

[RJ87]

I think this thread has gotten completely away from the intended point - Rondo was tremendous throught the season and in these playoffs. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Rondo/Bradley backcourt next year.

[Swoopz]

Every postseason Rondo's improved and evolved, and I think this was the turning point.
2008 - Starts and plays point for a new star studded team and wins a championship
2009 - The duel with Derrick Rose and the Bulls, nearly averaging a triple-double
2010 - Amazing game and series against the Cavs, made lots of big plays throughout the playoffs
2011 - Comes back and plays after dislocating his elbow, showing just how much he wants to win and how much he's willing to sacrifice
2012 - Put the team on his back several times, hit some clutch shots, improved his scoring, etc.

Next year I expect Rondo to be hungrier than ever and make some more history

[Smokeeye123]

Don't hold your breath   Heck Ainge might trade him for real this time. I heard Dwight is available. Just saying

 

Are you telling me you wouldn't trade Rondo 4 Dwight?

I am telling you I wouldn't trade Rondo for the whole USA Olympic Team, or any else of the Big 4 for that matter.

You wouldnt trade Ray Allen for the entire Olympic team? i want to try what you're on.

[Celtics18]

Last off season it was let's trade him for Chris Paul.  This off season it will be let's trade him for Dwight Howard.  By the following season it will be let's trade him for Lebron James.

I think I've been hearing that his stock will never be higher for the past five seasons.  It keeps getting higher, though. 

[mahonedog88]

As sad as I am that this run couldn't end with another trip to the finals, I am ready to move on.

This was year 5 into what was supposed to be a 3 year plan, so I'd say this team outdid all of our expectations as a whole for this run.

But I'm actually excited for next year, I'm excited for this offseason.  Originally I thought KG was going to retire after this season, but with how he's played this year, I do think he's going to stick around on maybe a 1 or 2 year deal.  I wouldn't hate it either considering how hard it is to find good bigmen in this league.

Ray however I think is gone.  Avery Bradley is the future of this team, he knows that, and I think that he thinks that he has a few good years left in him and that he could be the missing piece to a championship team.  But if he could agree to be the sixth man, I think it'd be great.

[indeedproceed]

I've become a believer. I wouldn't trade Rondo for anything less than Chris Paul as far as point guards go, and maybe a handful of Post guys and of course bron and wade.

I think Rondo comes back with a solid 18 footer and. Scones a 35%ish guy from deep next season.

He surpassed KG and Pierce for my favorite Celtic this season.

[Bahku]

Rondo has already taken over this team, and there's no way Danny will trade him at this point. Not a big guy for gambling, but I'd put big money on that one.

[cman88]

I think Rondo has opened up alot of people's eyes this post-season

72% from the free throw line

knocking down his jumpers and even a few three-pointers.

if he can play that way throughout the regular season, I think he jumps into upper-echelon of players in the league

[twinbree]

I hope so. The torch keeps being passed back and forth. It's time to give it to Rondo for good, make the Big 3 his super sidekicks and acquire players to complement his strengths. Rondo's grown so much and looking at his will to win I know he's only going to get better.

OT: No to trading Rondo for Howard. We've seen his post-season struggles firsthand. He needs a play-maker. And no it won't be Deron Williams because he hasn't shown any interest in Boston and we don't have anything to entice him with that beats Brooklyn or Dallas.

I'm comfortable going with what we have and giving the Rondo era a chance instead of pining for petulant divas who don't want to be here.

[Chris16]

Superstars win championships.

Besides being most dominant big in the NBA, and single handedly carrying his team to finals couple of years ago. Not much else.

Dwight Howard single handedly did jack. The Magic's clutch shooting is what took them to the Finals, not Dwight Howard. It's obvious that without good teammates he won't get far in the playoffs, and it showed in 2011 when the Atlanta Hawks eliminated him because the team overall was not as good as it was the previous 3 years before.

[RajonRondo9Dime]

Rondo already is the best player on this team. The only way I see Ainge trading Rondo is if he can get Deron and Dwight to come here, which is extremely unlikely.

Rondo stock is at an alltime high. As high as it will ever be. It might time for Ainge to cash in. Trade 4 Dwight, and sign his buddy Deron Williams who is a Free Agent.

Williams<Rondo

If you can't get Howard here with Rondo, well, obviously he doesn't want to be here.

[LarBrd33]

I think I was the first bold innovator of this forum to suggest trading Rondo and both draft picks for Dwight Howard... then sign Deron Williams.  That was my pipe dream.  Argued with everyone a TON about it.

First of all... absolutely agree that Dwight HOward is a franchise player and franchise players win titles.  He's the best big man in the game.  If you have a shot at getting him, it makes sense to go after him.

That said... I actually absolutely despite Dwight Howard.  Hate his personality.  Think he's a punk.  Hate the way he acted this year towards Orlando.  HE's always rubbed me as a Laker.  Can't stand him.  He's a dirty player.   

That said... he's the best big man in the game, a defensive beast and a guy who can be key to a championship team.  LeBron isn't available.  Durant isn't available.  Chris Paul isn't available.  But Dwight Howard (maybe) is.  So even though I despise him... I still think the best chance of being a contender is going after him.

Deron vs. Rondo.  I still believe Deron Williams is a better player than Rondo.  And whether or not he is or isn't is besides the point... it's more about whether you'd be comfortable trading a borderline franchise player (Rondo) for a top 5 game-changing superstar (Dwight Howard) and then whether you'd be comfortable with filling that vacant point guard position with a player who is ARGUABLY better (Deron).  No-brainer if you ask me.   

Dwight + Deron > Rondo + nothing

I'd prefer Dwight + Rondo, but it's impossible and irrelevant to the discussion.

That said, if Rondo could play full-time like he did in these playoffs (17 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 47% shooting, 25% from three, 70% from the line)... you might have an argument that he on Deron's level.  Deron's playoff averages are: 21 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 46% shooting, 40% from three, 80% from the line ... Thing is... Rondo probably isn't going to play that well in the regular season.  For whatever reason he just doesn't seem to bring that level of play consistently. 

Again... doesn't matter, because Orlando isn't going to trade Dwight for Rajon Rondo... and Deron Williams isnt' going to sign with Boston.  So no real point arguing the specifics.  I'll just say... I really hope Rondo can carry over his passable shooting ability to next season.  He was fantastic in these playoffs.  IF he can find a way to do that consistently, I'll be thrilled.

[tonyto3690]

Are people really still talking about Howard?  Howard essentially made it plain he wouldn't ever be a Celtic about a year ago.

1.  He openly said he hates cold weather and would rather stay in a warm place
2.  He has openly stated which teams he wants to play for (HINT: THE CELTICS ARENT INCLUDED)
3.  The only way to get Howard is via trade
4.  The only way to get Howard in a trade is trading Rondo + Other pieces
5.  Howard wants to play for a winner and the Celtics with Howard and without Rondo are worse than this years Magic.


The only possible way that Howard becomes a Celtics is if he does a 180 on everything he has stated in the past are his preferences, and every other team in the NBA decides they are no longer interested.

It is not happening.  Period.  End of discussion.  Get over it and stop with this pointless garbage.