Yes, another Rondo thread
, but I find the following intriguing.
Jackie Mac wrote
a story about how Danny views the post-Rondo Cs. Here's an excerpt, ending with a key statement from Danny:
The ball movement has been superb and transition opportunities have been more plentiful.
And, yet, conventional wisdom persists. The Boston Celtics can't possibly be better off without their All-Star point guard.
Right?
Let Celtics boss Danny Ainge take it from here.
"We are different without him,'' Ainge explained. "We're running better now because five guys are running. Honestly, I think we rely on Rondo too much.
"For example, with Rondo out you see Jeff Green grab a rebound and push it up the court himself. If he gets a rebound when Rondo is playing, he just gives it to him.
"That's not Rondo's fault. It's only because he's a great player and guys see him in that role."
I have to say that I'm skeptical about this. I'm sure that all the other Celtics know that Rondo's good, and should have the ball a good chunk of the time, but are they really "voluntarily" giving the ball on nearly every possession, including in transition opportunities? Or is it, as I suspect, because of a directive from Doc that Rondo must always have the ball? If any non-Rondo Celtic gets a rebound and is able to bust it down the court, or at least outlet the ball to a capable ball-handler who's further up the court, why hadn't they been doing that? Why would players halt fast-break opportunities and look all around the court for Rondo, giving the ball to no one but him (and occasionally Pierce)? Is this they're
choice?
Or is it because Doc told them to do it?
Here's Danny's solution, per Jackie:
So how can Rondo rectify that when he returns next season?
"So, when Jeff Green gets the rebound,'' Ainge replied, "Rondo has to take off down the court in that situation. Then Jeff can take two dribbles and hit Rondo. Now you see Rondo attack the basket in the open court. He is unguardable in those situations.''
Sounds great, but will this really happen? Hasn't happened much before now, and to make such a change requires a change in Doc's coaching philosophy re: Rondo.
So, if and when Rondo returns to the Cs, will Doc let other guys push the ball upcourt instead of making them automatically give it to Rondo?