what does Rondo have to do this year to not be criticized?

[CelticG1]

I feel like Rondo will have to answer a lot of questions this year, unfortunately coming off an injury which doesn't help.

This thread is to get a little perspective on his season during and after to see if he hit your expectations. Some people say he needs to score more, be a better, ft shooter, better 3 point shooter, less TO's etc etc.

People can list everything or the most important things to you.

Does he need to score 20 a night to prove his worth? Does he need to shoot 30% from 3 and70% from FT line? Better? Does he need to drag this team to 40+ wins to show how valuable he is?

What does Rondo have to do to proce to you this year that he is a franchise player or at the very least someone that you can and should build around?

[manl_lui]

the same thing he's been doing during the Big 3 Era...assist, attack the rim, rebound

If he can still play at a level as last year, that should shut people up

[Chris]

He will always be criticized.  Lebron was criticized until a year and a half ago (actually, he is probably still criticized).  That is what fans do.

But, I think the question is, what can Rondo do to convince fans he can be built around as a franchise type player. 

[sofutomygaha]

I think that every star gets criticized, and that goes double in Boston. It's inevitable. I think he could win over some of his critics by attacking the rim a bit more this year and improving his free throw shooting to back it up.

Based on his improved mid-range game, I think an improvement at the free throw line is a real possibility. I don't, however, think that he's going to rediscover his 2007-2009 era willingness to slash to the hoop and get tackled by paint-enforcer types.

The thing that will help his image the most, though, is if the Celtics make the playoffs next season.

[CelticG1]

the same thing he's been doing during the Big 3 Era...assist, attack the rim, rebound

If he can still play at a level as last year, that should shut people up

I don't think so. People will always find something. His ft shooting and 3 point shooting, his consistency, the amount of wins etc.

That's why I would love for people to be specific

Ex: "if he leads this team to 40 wins ill shut up"
- "if he scores 20 ppg ill shut up"
- "if he shoots 70% ft"

I just want to see what he needs to do in peolples eyes to not be critized as much and be considered someone to build around etc.

Its obvious that stats don't mean everything but it would be the easiest thing to turn to.

[CelticG1]

He will always be criticized.  Lebron was criticized until a year and a half ago (actually, he is probably still criticized).  That is what fans do.

But, I think the question is, what can Rondo do to convince fans he can be built around as a franchise type player.

They go hand and hand.

This thread isn't for people who will criticize no matter what. Its for people who have an open mind about rondo and are willing to let him prove that he can change their mind.

That's the point of listing specific goals/stats etc. So you can point to after and say "he hit most of the marks that I expect of him or a franchise player"

[CelticG1]

This thread has nothing to do with public perception and whether or not rondo will be criticized or not.

Its about anyome on this forum that has an idea of what they expect out of rondo and h being someone to build around.

List your expectations so there's something you can look at and say either he didn't meet MY expectations or he did.

If we win 50 games next year and Rondo averages 8 points and 9 assists shooting 60% from ft and 20% from 3 is that good for you? If we win 10 games and rondo averages 20 points 12 assists 70% from the line 35% from 3 is thst good?

What does he need to do in YOUR eyes

[Chris]

I think the important numbers for Rondo this year will not be his individual stats, it will be W's.

For me, that is the biggest questionmark.  We know he can put up crazy numbers.  And I think a lot of us assume that will continue, even without KG and Pierce.  What we don't know, is can he lift a team up, and be the best player on a winning team (OK, I know you could argue that he was the best player on the C's the last few years...but that is at best debatable.  now it should be cut and dry).

I think if Rondo goes out and puts up crazy numbers, but the team still loses, he is going to still get torn apart.  But, if the team wins next year (and by winning, I mean more than expectations.  I would say if they are .500, it would be a major success), I think Rondo will get big time praise, even if his numbers are not impressive.

edit: but I should also be clear, there is nothing that will make me stop criticizing him, or anyone else.  If I wasn't going to criticize players, I wouldn't be on this site.  Criticisms lead to discussion.

[PhoSita]

I think if Rondo goes out there and still plays like an All-Star on a more or less nightly basis despite no longer having older stars to pass to, that will shut up a lot of doubters.  As others have said, it's not so much about the numbers as it is about consistency and playing at a high level. 

However, I think Rondo will prove a lot of doubters wrong if he demonstrates the ability to score more on a regular basis without sacrificing too much in the assist column.  So if he actually averages 15 or more points a game for the season, for example, that would be huge.  The team is going to need Rondo to step up more as far as scoring is concerned.  I'm very interested to see how he handles that.

Also if he can go through a rebuilding year without any incidents suggesting a short temper or that he's an issue with the new coach, that would go a long way.

[Boris Badenov]

On the court he gets a break from me, particularly early in the season. He's 5 months removed from tearing his ACL.

I do expect him to show greater maturity and leadership. This is his team and he's the guy everyone will look to in terms of effort and preparation in the training room and practice. He's the one who will have to be the cooler head on the court when things get chippy. When the C's lose a tough game or even 10 in a row his perspective and mental toughness will set an example. The respect that Stevens gets from players will be determined first and foremost by Rondo.

Overall how the Celtic Way evolves in the post-Big 3 era will be heavily influenced by all of these things.

I think he's up to the task but that's what I expect out of him.

[pearljammer10]

Rondo could win MVP and would still be heavily criticized by this fan bar.

[D.o.s.]

I think if Rondo goes out there and still plays like an All-Star on a more or less nightly basis despite no longer having older stars to pass to, that will shut up a lot of doubters.  As others have said, it's not so much about the numbers as it is about consistency and playing at a high level. 

However, I think Rondo will prove a lot of doubters wrong if he demonstrates the ability to score more on a regular basis without sacrificing too much in the assist column.  So if he actually averages 15 or more points a game for the season, for example, that would be huge.  The team is going to need Rondo to step up more as far as scoring is concerned.  I'm very interested to see how he handles that.

Also if he can go through a rebuilding year without any incidents suggesting a short temper or that he's an issue with the new coach, that would go a long way.

Agreed with all of the above.

[sofutomygaha]

What does he need to do in YOUR eyes

For me, all he needs to do is

(1) keep playing his game and
(2) feed and resuscitate the jaded vets that we got from Brooklyn.

[Vermont Green]

I suspect that my past comments on Rondo have been viewed as "critical".  It is a tricky thing though.  Is it critical to say I don't think Rondo is a good as Chris Paul or that he is not the best player on a team that has Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett?

The OP did provide a clear metric.  What would it take for me to consider Rondo a franchise or build around player.  My gauge for that is simple. He has to shoot better.  That will not be proven by a FG% but rather it will be evidenced by when opposing teams stop sagging off him and actually cover him.

The most important aspect of making teammates better is not how many lobs you dish but rather how much space you create for them.  Franchise PGs draw defensive attention to them everywhere, off picks, driving, spot up shooting; and by drawing defensive attention, they create space for others.  With more space, other players shoot better.

With Rondo, if he has the ball, his defender sags and goes under all picks.  When he doesn't have the ball, his defender sags as far off him as rules will allow.  The result is that Rondo creates negative space for the rest of the team and actually makes it harder for them to contribute.

Rondo needs to shoot better and have a quicker release on his outside shot.  If he improves in these areas, defenses will than have to adjust.  That is when Rondo will really change the way he can impact the game.

[CelticsFan9]

I think Rondo is relishing the opportunity to be 'the guy' on this team.  I'm not sure he can do it, but I'm excited as a fan to see him try.  Expect him to play well this year and help bring the young guys along (with the help of Stevens, too).