Ian Thomson: "Rondo is gone"

[mqtcelticsfan]

rondo is the smartest player in the game.

How is that relevant?

[rondoallaturca]

To immediately assume that Stevens won't get along with Rondo just because it took Doc all his efforts to manage Rondo is absurd. Doc ran one of the strictest offenses in the league, and his coaching style isn't exactly flawless. Stevens' offense centers around a lot of precision and quality execution, but he trusts his players, and he doesn't strike me as a guy who would be stubborn enough to use Jason Terry the same way you'd use Ray Allen.

In addition, your last paragraph also bugs me. You say that "Rondo is a real good player and an NBA champion, but I no longer think Ainge believes he can build around the guy.  To win a championship you need ELITE player(s) and that means lottery." We are a lottery team even if Rondo is on our team.

[gpap]

Yeah, my gut tells me Rondo is moved.

Didn't Marc Stein report something similar last week saying the Celts were looking to deal Rondo?

I just think Danny is going all in for the 2014 lottery which means dealing Rondo along with an albatross contract (Lee, Wallace) and receiving expiring contracts and another 1st rounder for next year.

Scary part is that if Rondo is dealt, do you believe Avery Bradley would be the player who's been on the team the longest?

[WeMadeIt17]

I mean the deal would have to be very very good. I wouldn't mind Monroe from the Pistons. Good Center to build around. Would have to get a pick from them unprotected as well. But if its up to me keep Rondo. Hold him out for a good part of the season. Make sure he is healthy and get everyone else's value up. Move Wallace hopefully to a vet team for an expiring and cash in on lottery night. I hate that i am saying that but i now believe that this team is looking to win the lotto next year, and hope we land wiggins or parker.

And with cap space hopefully grab a FA or two because of the young talent and Rondo.

[tarheelsxxiii]

Brad Stevens seems like a smart guy.  If he's as great a basketball mind as they say he is, he must be thrilled at the opportunity to work with Rajon Rondo. 

I think they could form something very special given the opportunity.

Right. What a way to prove you're worth your salt... build a working, positive relationship with someone as polarizing as Rondo. And if he can manage that, the team may well surpass expectations.

[alley oop]

    
Ian Thomson has long predicted Rondo would be traded, nothing knew.

[LB3533]

I think Rondo is an elite player in the NBA, but he requires other talented and effective teammates in order to be truly elite.

The problem with Rondo's game is he is playing in a different era of basketball, where ball dominator scorers are the key to everything in the game, especially in the playoffs. The problem with Rondo is he is not a ball dominator SCORER. Rondo is pass first type of a player and he needs guys to PASS TO.

I do not think Rondo is "every day" smart. He may possess a high on the court basketball IQ, but he lacks the smarts, for example, tarnishing his relationship with Ray, being less and less of a professional each and every season (the more and more he was given the keys to the franchise, the more and more he seemed to want to do things his own way and not in unison with the Big 3).

Had Rondo been truly smart, in regards to Ray, and helped bridge that relationship a bit, that part of the game, the passer to shooter part of the game, is $$$$$.

Too bad it fizzled out, Rondo could have had at least 2 more assists per game with a deadly shooter like Ray.

[Celtics18]

Brad Stevens seems like a smart guy.  If he's as great a basketball mind as they say he is, he must be thrilled at the opportunity to work with Rajon Rondo. 

I think they could form something very special given the opportunity.

Right. What a way to prove you're worth your salt... build a working, positive relationship with someone as polarizing as Rondo. And if he can manage that, the team may well surpass expectations.

Right, right.

[LB3533]

Brad Stevens seems like a smart guy.  If he's as great a basketball mind as they say he is, he must be thrilled at the opportunity to work with Rajon Rondo. 

I think they could form something very special given the opportunity.

Right. What a way to prove you're worth your salt... build a working, positive relationship with someone as polarizing as Rondo. And if he can manage that, the team may well surpass expectations.

Right, right.

I may be wrong on this, but I kinda feel that both Doc and Ray are too of the most easiest personalities to get a long with. They both may have their own eccentricity and OCD-ness, but they have pretty mellow personalities.

If you can't get a long with Doc and Ray, then I don't know where else to look except the mirror. 

[NYDan]

None of these guys know Rondo. Rondo can decide for himself what he thinks of Stevens. They could be great for each other.

[kgainez]

who is ian thompson?

one minute the board is rejoicing because Rondo said he wants to say.
next, it's doom and gloom because some random says...excuse me...THINKS Rondo is leaving.

I can't take it! haha

[Celtics18]

None of these guys know Rondo. Rondo can decide for himself what he thinks of Stevens. They could be great for each other.

Yup.

One of the things I like about this hiring is that if a veteran coach goes into a situation where the star player is reputed to be stubborn and prickly, the veteran coach is more likely to think in terms of; "I can get him to come around to my way."  A smart, young outsider like Stevens' advantage may be that he may take more of a "how can I fit my leadership and coaching style around Rondo."

[rondoallaturca]

I think Rondo is an elite player in the NBA, but he requires other talented and effective teammates in order to be truly elite.

The problem with Rondo's game is he is playing in a different era of basketball, where ball dominator scorers are the key to everything in the game, especially in the playoffs. The problem with Rondo is he is not a ball dominator SCORER. Rondo is pass first type of a player and he needs guys to PASS TO.

I do not think Rondo is "every day" smart. He may possess a high on the court basketball IQ, but he lacks the smarts, for example, tarnishing his relationship with Ray, being less and less of a professional each and every season (the more and more he was given the keys to the franchise, the more and more he seemed to want to do things his own way and not in unison with the Big 3).

Had Rondo been truly smart, in regards to Ray, and helped bridge that relationship a bit, that part of the game, the passer to shooter part of the game, is $$$$$.

Too bad it fizzled out, Rondo could have had at least 2 more assists per game with a deadly shooter like Ray.

To be fair, Ray's ego was a bigger issue than Rondo's IMO. Ray complained about just about anyone he could think of when he departed for Miami. He felt "unwanted" by the organization because he was offered in trades. He thought Doc wasn't utilizing him enough on offense. He felt jealous that Pierce and KG got all the spotlight. He disliked Rondo. And honestly, why did he dislike Rondo? According to reports, he felt that Rondo would pass him over on the court in favor of other teammates. He was irked by Rondo's rapid ascension. He preferred when Rondo was lower on the ladder and followed him around, studying his work routine.

Good riddance.

[badshar]

None of these guys know Rondo. Rondo can decide for himself what he thinks of Stevens. They could be great for each other.

Exactly. TP!

[j804]

Meh, I haven't agreed with Ian Thompson in a very long time.

It's not just Ian Thomson, folks. A Sherrod Blakely just said on NESN Sport Tonight: "It would not surprise me to see Rondo on another team this season."

Rondo is gone then Sherrod is as credible as it gets.