Ian Thomson: "Rondo is gone"

[Surferdad]

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.

This. We're all guessing here including reporters. But don't worry, Rondo will be right in the PR mix because the team has no one else to promote as a star. I predict he will not traded until the deadline and has shown he's truly back from the injury.

[rondoallaturca]

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.

Sherrod said that he would not be surprised to see Rondo on another team. That is the furthest thing from saying that his sources tell him Rondo will be on a different team next year.

[Surferdad]

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.

I'm still bitter and this adds to it.

[byennie]

It's certainly possible, but I have to question one thing: are we SURE Doc Rivers was really the cream of the crop at managing difficult players? He certainly has the rep as a "player's coach", but it's a bit of an assumption. Isn't it possible that Pierce and KG were the ones keeping him line as much as anyone?

[blink]

I am sure we all are getting to the point of rumor-fatigue with the various reports coming in from less than stellar sources.  I don't really care what Ian Thompson, or Sherrod says about any of this because they are basically getting paid as a writer to generate news based on their opinion.

I would say that a lot of our opinions here on Celticsblog are probably a lot more informed and educated that all these so called experts.  Especially when the reports start with "I could see this happening..."  or "I wouldn't be surprised if..."  It is all speculation and internet noise.

When someone comes out with a credible story that has a source saying something is happening, then I will listen in.

[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.

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.

During the inaugural year of the Big 3, Ray was the one that sacrificed the most out of the Big 3. Ray was the one who was least in the limelight, the one who was the last of the Big 3 to receive any of the positive credit.

Prior to forming the Big 3, it could be argued that Ray had a better career than Paul Pierce.

Ray clearly has had a much more impressive career than Rondo, up until this point in Rondo's career. So I can see Ray's big ego, it is backed up by his career. And Ray still can back it up in big moments even when he is struggling from the field.

The knock on Rondo, throughout his career, was and is that Rondo can't shoot. So please forgive me if it is so awful if Rondo has to follow Ray's workouts...god for bid.

[blink]

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.

During the inaugural year of the Big 3, Ray was the one that sacrificed the most out of the Big 3. Ray was the one who was least in the limelight, the one who was the last of the Big 3 to receive any of the positive credit.

Prior to forming the Big 3, it could be argued that Ray had a better career than Paul Pierce.

Ray clearly has had a much more impressive career than Rondo, up until this point in Rondo's career. So I can see Ray's big ego, it is backed up by his career. And Ray still can back it up in big moments even when he is struggling from the field.

The knock on Rondo, throughout his career, was and is that Rondo can't shoot. So please forgive me if it is so awful if Rondo has to follow Ray's workouts...god for bid.

At this point, none of this matters.  Who cares what RA's beef was with Rondo?  Relationships are a two way street.  Not everyone gets along perfectly.  RA is gone, good luck to him whatever.

RA isn't going to have anything to do with RR staying or going.  That is going to be down to RR / DA / Brad Stevens.

[danglertx]

Maybe this is a hire FOR Rondo.  He might need to not be smartest person in the meeting room.  Maybe Rondo respects the analytic part of the game and wants that kind of coach. 

Rondo does love math...and connect four.

For all of Doc's good qualities of player management, he didn't always strike me as the sharpest tool in the shed.   

[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.

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.

I'm still bitter and this adds to it.

Why so bitter? There is no need really. If anything, Ray's bitterness is justified.

The guy WAS miss-treated by the organization. From Ray's perspective he gave a lot of himself and given up a lot of himself to the franchise. I think Ray took it personal that he was always one of the 1st Celtics mentioned in trade talks. I think Ray felt slighted when he played hurt on his ankles and that caused his game to suffer and then he basically lost his starting job due to injury, or in more of a reality that Doc's offense was probably the main culprit.

If you look at the initial point where the C's front office brass decided to hand the keys over to Rondo (in my opinion it was right after the Bulls series in 09 playoffs where Rondo nearly averaged a triple double), you can see as a team the C's offensive rating has declined since the Championship season.

Rondo was initially very eager to learn from Ray, but that quickly ended. I feel that this quick dismissal of Ray's guidance was and is a sign of immaturity. People have viewed Lebron the same way, "Lebron is immature", "he's not humble", but Lebron has changed his ways and the last 2 off seasons he has dedicated that time to improve on multiple aspects of his game and he sought older players to help guide him.

I wish Rondo was the same way, but it seems as though Rondo feels like he knows it all himself. Like he thought he knew it all about Connect 4 until some grade schooler finally beat him.

 

[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.

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.

During the inaugural year of the Big 3, Ray was the one that sacrificed the most out of the Big 3. Ray was the one who was least in the limelight, the one who was the last of the Big 3 to receive any of the positive credit.

Prior to forming the Big 3, it could be argued that Ray had a better career than Paul Pierce.

Ray clearly has had a much more impressive career than Rondo, up until this point in Rondo's career. So I can see Ray's big ego, it is backed up by his career. And Ray still can back it up in big moments even when he is struggling from the field.

The knock on Rondo, throughout his career, was and is that Rondo can't shoot. So please forgive me if it is so awful if Rondo has to follow Ray's workouts...god for bid.

At this point, none of this matters.  Who cares what RA's beef was with Rondo?  Relationships are a two way street.  Not everyone gets alone perfectly.  RA is gone, good luck to him whatever.

RA isn't going to have anything to do with RR staying or going.  That is going to be down to RR / DA / Brad Stevens.

Ray and Rondo's relationship as well as the early relationship with Doc and Rondo show evidence of historical pattern.

Rondo clearly is a difficult apple. Rondo needs his "kind of coach" and his "kind of teammate". If Rondo doesn't get it, he pouts and he doesn't give it his all every night out on the court. We have seen this. The evidence is there.

The evidence is also there that Rondo is a one of a kind player. He has produced some of the greatest statistical games in the playoffs and regular season that not many of the greats of have ever reached.

Rondo has the chance to be the greatest point guard in NBA history if only he learned a little from Lebron's mistakes and learn some humility, hone his craft and improve on his weaknesses in the off season. The best way for Rondo to strengthen his weaknesses is to ask the best for help. Rondo will never teach himself how to improve on his weaknesses because he is not an expert at his own weaknesses, that's why they are his weaknesses! 

[LB3533]

It's certainly possible, but I have to question one thing: are we SURE Doc Rivers was really the cream of the crop at managing difficult players? He certainly has the rep as a "player's coach", but it's a bit of an assumption. Isn't it possible that Pierce and KG were the ones keeping him line as much as anyone?

I think this aspect of Doc's resume is a bit overrated, the "player's coach" and "managing egos", both overrated in my opinion.

If Doc was really good at this, there wouldn't be that friction between the Big 3 and the younger players.

If Doc was really good at these things he wouldn't watch his team play lazy regular season basketball and then wait to turn it up in the playoffs.

There is significant amount of evidence to argue that the Celtics have seriously underachieved under Doc Rivers.

 

[BudweiserCeltic]

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.

During the inaugural year of the Big 3, Ray was the one that sacrificed the most out of the Big 3. Ray was the one who was least in the limelight, the one who was the last of the Big 3 to receive any of the positive credit.

Prior to forming the Big 3, it could be argued that Ray had a better career than Paul Pierce.

Ray clearly has had a much more impressive career than Rondo, up until this point in Rondo's career. So I can see Ray's big ego, it is backed up by his career. And Ray still can back it up in big moments even when he is struggling from the field.

The knock on Rondo, throughout his career, was and is that Rondo can't shoot. So please forgive me if it is so awful if Rondo has to follow Ray's workouts...god for bid.

At this point, none of this matters.  Who cares what RA's beef was with Rondo?  Relationships are a two way street.  Not everyone gets alone perfectly.  RA is gone, good luck to him whatever.

RA isn't going to have anything to do with RR staying or going.  That is going to be down to RR / DA / Brad Stevens.

Ray and Rondo's relationship as well as the early relationship with Doc and Rondo show evidence of historical pattern.

Rondo clearly is a difficult apple. Rondo needs his "kind of coach" and his "kind of teammate". If Rondo doesn't get it, he pouts and he doesn't give it his all every night out on the court. We have seen this. The evidence is there.

The evidence is also there that Rondo is a one of a kind player. He has produced some of the greatest statistical games in the playoffs and regular season that not many of the greats of have ever reached.

Rondo has the chance to be the greatest point guard in NBA history if only he learned a little from Lebron's mistakes and learn some humility, hone his craft and improve on his weaknesses in the off season. The best way for Rondo to strengthen his weaknesses is to ask the best for help. Rondo will never teach himself how to improve on his weaknesses because he is not an expert at his own weaknesses, that's why they are his weaknesses!

I guess that's why he never went to Mark Price to get help with his shooting.

[saltlover]

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.

I disagree pretty much entirely.  I think Rondo is incredibly smart and is on the Aspergers spectrum.  A little pop psychology on my part, I freely admit, but having read the Connect 4 article from several months ago and having taken a few classes on child development that paid a lot of attention to autism/Aspergers, I couldn't help but make that conclusion.   Regardless, Rondo is highly intelligent.

Now whether he'll be able to get along with Stevens is a different matter, but I think he'd like to.  He knows he has a reputation of being uncoachable, and I don't think it's a point of pride at this point in his life.  Maybe when he was younger, sure, but it sounds like he's trying to move past that.

[blink]

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.

During the inaugural year of the Big 3, Ray was the one that sacrificed the most out of the Big 3. Ray was the one who was least in the limelight, the one who was the last of the Big 3 to receive any of the positive credit.

Prior to forming the Big 3, it could be argued that Ray had a better career than Paul Pierce.

Ray clearly has had a much more impressive career than Rondo, up until this point in Rondo's career. So I can see Ray's big ego, it is backed up by his career. And Ray still can back it up in big moments even when he is struggling from the field.

The knock on Rondo, throughout his career, was and is that Rondo can't shoot. So please forgive me if it is so awful if Rondo has to follow Ray's workouts...god for bid.

At this point, none of this matters.  Who cares what RA's beef was with Rondo?  Relationships are a two way street.  Not everyone gets alone perfectly.  RA is gone, good luck to him whatever.

RA isn't going to have anything to do with RR staying or going.  That is going to be down to RR / DA / Brad Stevens.

Ray and Rondo's relationship as well as the early relationship with Doc and Rondo show evidence of historical pattern.

Rondo clearly is a difficult apple. Rondo needs his "kind of coach" and his "kind of teammate". If Rondo doesn't get it, he pouts and he doesn't give it his all every night out on the court. We have seen this. The evidence is there.

The evidence is also there that Rondo is a one of a kind player. He has produced some of the greatest statistical games in the playoffs and regular season that not many of the greats of have ever reached.

Rondo has the chance to be the greatest point guard in NBA history if only he learned a little from Lebron's mistakes and learn some humility, hone his craft and improve on his weaknesses in the off season. The best way for Rondo to strengthen his weaknesses is to ask the best for help. Rondo will never teach himself how to improve on his weaknesses because he is not an expert at his own weaknesses, that's why they are his weaknesses!

I am sorry, but I disagree.  RR has only had (1) coach in the NBA and he didn't have any say in choosing that one.  Why would anyone assume that he has to have HIS kind of coach when 1) he has only had one coach, 2) he hasn't left his team due to problems with that coach.  This just isn't logical.

Where is all this evidence of Rondo pouting because he didn't get his kind of coach, or his kind of team mates?  I would say RA did pretty well with RR feeding him wide open 3 point looks for 5 years.  What is the evidence?

You are projecting your 'interpretation' of Rondo onto a situation.  RA and Doc are both GONE.  At this point the only ones that have an impact on Rondo leaving or staying is RR himself, DA and Stevens.  If Rondo meshes well with Stevens, and can stomach a couple lean years of the rebuild then he probably stays.  If he can't work well with Stevens I am sure DA will move him.  Ray and Doc have NOTHING to do with it at this point.

[Ogaju]

not to talk about the fact that he will be playing for a possible max contract soon.