RAJON RONDO! For those who still dont believe!

[Chris]

everyone on the celtics love rondo except old man ray who couldnt give it up to be a team player.

There have been stories to the contrary. And even the guys who love him, find him infuriating at times.

Although, let me be clear, I don't think the lockerroom stuff is a big deal...I just don't think it can be used as a positive for him.

[CelticG1]

Some people on this forum think Rondo is the best PG in the game and some think that williams, paul, rose and westbrook are better 

Take a look at these numbers from the postseason and then tell me what you think 

2011-12 postseason numbers for Rondo:

EFFICIENCY 25.4 , 3rd behind lebron and durant
only other PG in the top ten was rose but he only played 1 game.

PTS/REB/ASTS 36.0 avg , 6th on the list westbrook was 9th but rondo had a whopping 110 more assists, 19 more rebounds westbrook just chucked the ball and scored more (he is not a point btw he is a 2 playing at the 1)

STEALS Rondo was 3rd, paul had a better avg rondo had 15 more steals (45 steals total, more than anyone in the entire postseason)

Double Ds/Triple Ds Rondo was 1st, Closest was paul at nr 8, Rondo had 14 Double ds!!!!! And 4 Triple ds

So to summarize, Rondo was the most efficient Point guard in the league in the postseason BY FAR, He had the most points+reb+asts at the pg position trailing only westbrook who had just 3 more combined points, Rondo had the most steals, triple doubles and double doubles!

My strong opinion is that Rondo is the best POINT GUARD in the game. The only one that you can put in the conversation is chris paul imo cause he defends, rebounds etc williams, westbrook and rose are not close to rondo when it comes to getting rebounds, steals and defending.

If rose could win a mvp i think rondo can as well, more importantly i think rondo wants a finals mvp more than a reg season don you think? 

Here's the thing.  Many of us (like myself) find the reason why Rondo isn't considered on the same level as Paul, is because he only seems to lift his game in the playoffs.

Now, it is great that he does lift his game in the playoffs, but to be the best PG in the league, he needs to become more consistent, and do it night in and night out IMO. 

And this is where some of the handwringing comes in about building a team around Rondo.  He is great to have for the big games...but unless he really works on the consistency in the games that might not have the bright lights, they might not have so many big games for him to shine in.

How has rondo not been consistent?
He averaged 11.9 points and 11.7 assists over the entire season!

I fail to see how averaging a double double is inconsistent.

And btw, would you seriously go out and straight ball your behind off if you were playing teams like the bobcats and cavs? Dont think so.....

And Chris Paul averaged 18.8 points and 9.8 assists during the regular season.

Rondo's numbers always jump considerably in the playoffs.  Paul's generally don't.

That is the difference.  Rondo raises himself to Paul's level, or maybe even slightly above (thats debatable) in the playoffs...but Paul stays a lot closer to that level all season long.

rondo's numbers go above cp3's, and rondo isnt even the main option on his team. cp3 = option 1 or 2. rondo = option 5. and he still scores more than cp3 in the playoffs.

thats why cp3 always gets eliminated in the 1st round. because he sucks.

Wait, let me get this straight. Because Paul is a #2 option his contribution should be hindered? He is a better offensive scorer... Of course he should average more shots. CP3 gets eliminated in the 1st round because the rest of his team sucks. Other than this year he has had no team around him. And this year they made it to the 2nd round.

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

Whoopdy do Paul took the lakers to seven games with no one. The nuggets did the same thing this year wit Ty Lawson (oh and that stud McGee haha)

Now they won first round this year in 7 and got swept in the second.

I seem to remember Clippers being labeled as contenders to start the season and certainly labeled as a better team than the Celtics.

Now all of a sudden they were too young, Chris Pauls first year there, Paul and Griffin played injured, their coach sucks, Billups got.injured. just a lot of excuses.

Yeah im sure Paul would be great with dwight howard and kobe but there's really no arguememt for his team success on the floor. Might as well leave that out of the discussion unless you want to praise other guys who's teams don't do.anything

[Lightskinsmurf]

Until rondo gets a consistent jumper im still putting him behind CP.

[Interceptor]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

[Chris]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

Yeah, thats about right (although it did look like Paul's 5th gear might have been returning in the Olympics).  The difference is though, Paul spends a lot more time in 4th gear, while Rondo generally jumps from 2nd or 3rd gear right to 5th.

[Lightskinsmurf]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

CP3 plays to his fullest potential every night which is why his level of play doesn't rise much in the playoffs because hes already giving everything he has every game. Rondo on the other hand holds back until he feels like unleashing.

[CelticG1]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

CP3 plays to his fullest potential every night which is why his level of play doesn't rise much in the playoffs because hes already giving everything he has every game. Rondo on the other hand holds back until he feels like unleashing.

He plays to gis fullest potential why? Because you look at his ppg at 18 and conclude this?

People talk about consistency and then offer nothing to back up what it means. They either give generalized stats holding little weight or offer vague opinions such as Chris Paul bringing it every night.

Unless you are a die hard Clippers fan and watch Paul play every game (like most do on here with the Celts and rondo) its hard to figure out where you draw your conclusions from.

That's why im not necessarily saying Rondo is better but genuinely asking why people are saying Chris Paul is more consistent, what they base this off of, how much scoring means to them, and whether you watch every clips game. And if you aren't watching every clips game at least admit that you are using things like ppg to assess judgement or espn and other writers/bloggers to help form your opinion.

By the way did anyone see Paul vs Rondo this past year

[Brendan]

CP3 is the Paul Pierce and the Rondo on his team. He's too good not to be unless he ended up playing with a cast of super stars.

[Chris]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

CP3 plays to his fullest potential every night which is why his level of play doesn't rise much in the playoffs because hes already giving everything he has every game. Rondo on the other hand holds back until he feels like unleashing.

He plays to gis fullest potential why? Because you look at his ppg at 18 and conclude this?

People talk about consistency and then offer nothing to back up what it means. They either give generalized stats holding little weight or offer vague opinions such as Chris Paul bringing it every night.

Unless you are a die hard Clippers fan and watch Paul play every game (like most do on here with the Celts and rondo) its hard to figure out where you draw your conclusions from.

That's why im not necessarily saying Rondo is better but genuinely asking why people are saying Chris Paul is more consistent, what they base this off of, how much scoring means to them, and whether you watch every clips game. And if you aren't watching every clips game at least admit that you are using things like ppg to assess judgement or espn and other writers/bloggers to help form your opinion.

By the way did anyone see Paul vs Rondo this past year

Some of us are also really big basketball fans, and have seen plenty of Chris Paul play.  Its not just about stats, it is what we see on the court.  I don't need to see every clippers game to make a decision about Paul, just like I don't need to watch every Celtics game to make a decision about Rondo.

And frankly, I am tired of arguments that suggest the people who disagree with you don't know what they are talking about.  We just have a difference of opinion.

[flyofchange]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

CP3 plays to his fullest potential every night which is why his level of play doesn't rise much in the playoffs because hes already giving everything he has every game. Rondo on the other hand holds back until he feels like unleashing.

He plays to gis fullest potential why? Because you look at his ppg at 18 and conclude this?

People talk about consistency and then offer nothing to back up what it means. They either give generalized stats holding little weight or offer vague opinions such as Chris Paul bringing it every night.

Unless you are a die hard Clippers fan and watch Paul play every game (like most do on here with the Celts and rondo) its hard to figure out where you draw your conclusions from.

That's why im not necessarily saying Rondo is better but genuinely asking why people are saying Chris Paul is more consistent, what they base this off of, how much scoring means to them, and whether you watch every clips game. And if you aren't watching every clips game at least admit that you are using things like ppg to assess judgement or espn and other writers/bloggers to help form your opinion.

By the way did anyone see Paul vs Rondo this past year

Some of us are also really big basketball fans, and have seen plenty of Chris Paul play.  Its not just about stats, it is what we see on the court.  I don't need to see every clippers game to make a decision about Paul, just like I don't need to watch every Celtics game to make a decision about Rondo.

And frankly, I am tired of arguments that suggest the people who disagree with you don't know what they are talking about.  We just have a difference of opinion.

You do actually have to watch every game to truly know what a player does to a 100% When you say that "it is what we see on the court" and then in the next sentence "I don't need to see every clippers game" you are contradicting yourself cause if you dont watch the games all you can do is look at stats....

If you saw the celtics play the clippers for example you would know that rondo straight up slapped paul up and down the court.

By your logic one can watch a player as a rookie then dont watch that player for 5 seasons and still makes the assumtion that he is as bad/good as he was his rookie year

[BballTim]

So, you guys wouldn't be happier if Rondo played the same way he plays in the postseason, during the regular season?

Or even something close?

And its not just about stats, it is clear when you watch him, that he is playing at a different speed in the playoffs (or in primetime matchups during the regular season), than he is in other games.

Don't get me wrong, I love Rondo, and I would always take a guy who shows up for the big games as big as he does over someone who is just mediocre all the time.  But, to me, it is just frustrating to watch how dominating he can be when he turns it on, and then compare it to how inconsistent he is when the lights are turned down a little.

As for the Chris Paul comparisons, I am just going to drop that, because I know that is an argument that will never be resolved on this site. 

The important thing to me is that Rondo could be more consistent than he is.  And until he does that, I will continue to want more from him.

  I don't think Rondo's body would be able to take the toll playing like that every night and still have much left for the playoffs, so I don't really want him, fopr example, going for 7-8 rebounds every night. But people here generally consider scoring to be the main sign of consistency, so Rondo doesn't appear to be as consistent as players that are first or second scoring options on their teams every night. He's been very consistent the last 2-3 years, it's just that his main contribution to the team doesn't involve shooting the ball on a regular basis.

[CelticG1]

The fact of the matter is Rondo plays better than him in the playoffs. Rondo can carry this team in the playoffs. CP3 however is more consistent and carry them night in night out, unlike Rondo does.

This.  Although I can't help but add that prime Chris Paul was every bit as good, or better than Rondo in the playoffs.  But since the knee injury, he just hasn't had the explosiveness to carry his team like he used to be able to.

This sounds to me like Rondo has a 5th gear and CP3 does not.

CP3 plays to his fullest potential every night which is why his level of play doesn't rise much in the playoffs because hes already giving everything he has every game. Rondo on the other hand holds back until he feels like unleashing.

He plays to gis fullest potential why? Because you look at his ppg at 18 and conclude this?

People talk about consistency and then offer nothing to back up what it means. They either give generalized stats holding little weight or offer vague opinions such as Chris Paul bringing it every night.

Unless you are a die hard Clippers fan and watch Paul play every game (like most do on here with the Celts and rondo) its hard to figure out where you draw your conclusions from.

That's why im not necessarily saying Rondo is better but genuinely asking why people are saying Chris Paul is more consistent, what they base this off of, how much scoring means to them, and whether you watch every clips game. And if you aren't watching every clips game at least admit that you are using things like ppg to assess judgement or espn and other writers/bloggers to help form your opinion.

By the way did anyone see Paul vs Rondo this past year

Some of us are also really big basketball fans, and have seen plenty of Chris Paul play.  Its not just about stats, it is what we see on the court.  I don't need to see every clippers game to make a decision about Paul, just like I don't need to watch every Celtics game to make a decision about Rondo.

And frankly, I am tired of arguments that suggest the people who disagree with you don't know what they are talking about.  We just have a difference of opinion.

So your upset with me because I think the majority of people on this blog don't watch every clippers game? Is that what your tired about?

Is it really that offense for me to say that if you don't watch the Celtics and Clipped consistently than it is hard to make an argument over one being more consistent than the other?

Im sorry but I think its pretty obvious that you can form a stronger opinion on somethingnthe more you watch.

I mean we are breaking Rondos game down minute to minute quarter to quarter. I would ne interested if people did that with Paul as well if he would live up to this consistency he supposedly has.

[Interceptor]

The bottom line, is that Rondo is consistently inconsistent: he shows up for big games, not just random games. It's hard to argue that point when you look at what he does in the playoffs, and his performance during the 82-game regular season is a little hard to criticize, when the only thing at stake is seeding.

I actually expect him to be a little more "consistent" in this upcoming season, particularly in the second half. Why? Because he doesn't have to kill himself anymore, that's why. When Bradley is here and healthy, he doesn't have to pick up the other team's best guard on defense. When our bench can actually score, he doesn't have to play huge minutes just for us to have a chance to put points on the board. There is also not going to be any more "one man fast break" baloney: he has plenty of young legs to run with him now.

So, I anticipate quality minutes out of Rondo this season.

[lightspeed5]

he's probaby conserving his energy for the games that matter. cant blame him.

[Chris]

So, you guys wouldn't be happier if Rondo played the same way he plays in the postseason, during the regular season?

Or even something close?

And its not just about stats, it is clear when you watch him, that he is playing at a different speed in the playoffs (or in primetime matchups during the regular season), than he is in other games.

Don't get me wrong, I love Rondo, and I would always take a guy who shows up for the big games as big as he does over someone who is just mediocre all the time.  But, to me, it is just frustrating to watch how dominating he can be when he turns it on, and then compare it to how inconsistent he is when the lights are turned down a little.

As for the Chris Paul comparisons, I am just going to drop that, because I know that is an argument that will never be resolved on this site. 

The important thing to me is that Rondo could be more consistent than he is.  And until he does that, I will continue to want more from him.

  I don't think Rondo's body would be able to take the toll playing like that every night and still have much left for the playoffs, so I don't really want him, fopr example, going for 7-8 rebounds every night. But people here generally consider scoring to be the main sign of consistency, so Rondo doesn't appear to be as consistent as players that are first or second scoring options on their teams every night. He's been very consistent the last 2-3 years, it's just that his main contribution to the team doesn't involve shooting the ball on a regular basis.

I actually agree with this.  I think he conserves his energy to the betterment of the team.  And I think his style of play means he has to put out more energy than nearly any other player in the league, to be at his absolute best.

But I think this also is what keeps him from being (in my mind) the best PG in the league, and in the discussion for the MVP. 

I think he is absolutely in the discussion as the most dominant player when he is at his best (I put him firmly behind Lebron, but right up there with guys like Howard, Kobe, and possibly a couple others).  But he will likely always be a notch below those guys, if you value someone who can give it to you night in and night out.

And why this is important to me, is that I think you need those guys who can do it night in and night out, if they are going to be the real driving force on the team.  Rondo's routine is a perfect fit for this team, because he can get away with cruising a bit, while the other guys pick up the slack, and take turns winning games for them.  But, if you put him on a team that doesn't have a Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett, I think the cruising wouldn't work so well.  And at that point, he will have to decide between wearing himself out in the regular season, or risking not being in the offseason to turn it on.