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

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

There is nothing he can do and not be criticised. That is the price of greatness

[European NBA fan]

There is a very common perception that Rondo only shows up for the big games (TV and playoffs). While his competetiveness might give him an extra spark in those games, I just don't see the "lack of effort". You don't get voted to four All-Defensive teams in a row if you are a slacker.

Another perception is that he gambles on defense. Well yes, but that was always part of the Celtics defense in the Big 3 era: Allow guards to run into the wall of KG (plus whoever) and pick the ball from them, when they try to use their go to move. It gives up a lot of low percentage shots, which is a good thing. You may often see Rondo's opponent "lighting it up" but with very low efficiency. That's no coincidence.

Last season our defense started to get some cracks and the rotations were pretty bad, probably because of KG's 5+5+5 schedule, which might be good for preserving him, but was really bad for game rythm. And without KG on the floor the above mentioned defensive tactic, just doesn't work. So over the course of the season you would see Rondo staying in front of his man a lot more than before.

You can say I'm a Rondo apologist, but you have to look at context. Rondo has always had one of the better defensive ratings on the team. Since his rookie season he has been in the top three on the team in defensive win shares/48 min. In his rookie season he was no. 1, and 2007-2010 he was no. 3 behind KG and Perk. And the last three seasons he has been no. 2 behind KG. And that's a guy who doesn't show up for regular games?

Edit: Sorry for rambling, and not answering the question. I would say that getting his free throw percentage above 70, would probably do wonders for him.

[Spicoli]

Rondo deserves to be on the NBA all defensive team about as much as Kobe Bryant does. Both guys make it on reputation and not production. Lets talk about offense. If Rondo is not pounding the ball into submission looking for an assist, missing layups or bricking free throws, he has nothing.

[makaveli]

it's gonna be a long couple of years for our bellowed franchise, Rondo can't do a thing about it
but i would love if he:
1. starts playing actual defense
2. stays healthy
3. changes his game in a way where he can be effective without the basketball in his hands
4. shows maturity and leadership
5. scores 15+ ppg

[saltlover]

There is a very common perception that Rondo only shows up for the big games (TV and playoffs). While his competetiveness might give him an extra spark in those games, I just don't see the "lack of effort". You don't get voted to four All-Defensive teams in a row if you are a slacker.

Another perception is that he gambles on defense. Well yes, but that was always part of the Celtics defense in the Big 3 era: Allow guards to run into the wall of KG (plus whoever) and pick the ball from them, when they try to use their go to move. It gives up a lot of low percentage shots, which is a good thing. You may often see Rondo's opponent "lighting it up" but with very low efficiency. That's no coincidence.

Last season our defense started to get some cracks and the rotations were pretty bad, probably because of KG's 5+5+5 schedule, which might be good for preserving him, but was really bad for game rythm. And without KG on the floor the above mentioned defensive tactic, just doesn't work. So over the course of the season you would see Rondo staying in front of his man a lot more than before.

You can say I'm a Rondo apologist, but you have to look at context. Rondo has always had one of the better defensive ratings on the team. Since his rookie season he has been in the top three on the team in defensive win shares/48 min. In his rookie season he was no. 1, and 2007-2010 he was no. 3 behind KG and Perk. And the last three seasons he has been no. 2 behind KG. And that's a guy who doesn't show up for regular games?

Edit: Sorry for rambling, and not answering the question. I would say that getting his free throw percentage above 70, would probably do wonders for him.

Don't insert facts into this argument.  Rondo is a slacker prima donna because people say so.  Or a gambling slacker. 

I agree with you a lot.  I do remember seeing a couple plays a game where Rondo would gamble and miss, and then stand still for a few seconds etching the play.  Sometimes it would come back to bite the celtics, since his man would be wide open for a perimeter jumper.  Sometimes it would work to the C's advantage, because he'd be free to run in for the defensive rebound.  And sometimes neither he nor his man would be involved in the rest of the play.  I wouldn't mind a little less of that, but I've never bought the Rondo doesn't play with effort meme.

[celticdog]

Rondo has to get us into the playoffs and put up great numbers every game while displaying leadership skills that even superficial viewers will recognize.  In other words he has to perform a type of leadership that may not be his style.

[timpiker]

You do realize you're talking Boston, right?  Ever watch the TV shows?  I guarantee you if Rondo was Jesus Christ 1/2 those so-called journalists or reporters (Yes, Shaunessey you are included) would find something wrong.  i.e. the sandals look too tight on his feet.....

[BballTim]

Rondo deserves to be on the NBA all defensive team about as much as Kobe Bryant does. Both guys make it on reputation and not production.

  That probably explains why synergy sports has Rondo ranked as one of the better defenders in the league, just like it always does. Rondo was 39th in the league in opponent efficiency, while Kobe was about 200th. I guess Rondo's reputation has an amazing effect on his stats as well?

Lets talk about offense. If Rondo is not pounding the ball into submission looking for an assist, missing layups or bricking free throws, he has nothing.

  Gotta love the "Rondo gets the other players on the team easy shots and comes up big in important games, we should get rid of him ASAP!" crowd. Think the team was desperate for someone who could get them open shots against the Knicks in the playoffs? I do. But you're right, aside from the points he scores and all of the offense he generates for his teammates he doesn't bring a ton to the table.

[BballTim]

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.

  At some point in time you'll have to question the validity of that metric. You're halfway there, since you're trying to decouple your opinion of whether Rondo shoots the ball well from how well he shoots the ball. The next step is realizing that, as Rondo has improved as an outside shooter, teams still give him space when he has the ball. The obvious conclusion is that teams don't sag off of Rondo simply because of his shooting, but because they're more worried about his passing and dribble penetration.

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.

  This theory would hold a lot more water if we didn't see Rondo get his teammates open shots on the bulk of our possessions. Your opinion of space creation is based on whether teams worry about your jump shooting and completely ignores more important things like dribble penetration, where Rondo excels.

  Since we're not in mid-season, go to youtube and look at some Rondo passing highlights, then decide whether Rondo gets people open or not. Your description above is a fairly textbook explanation of what effect a poor shooter should have on a team's offense but it bears little relationship to what actually happens on the court when Rondo plays.

[guava_wrench]

He would have to not exist. Every player gets criticized. If he were to quit to avoid criticism, people would criticize that.

[BballTim]

To me, Tony Parker is a much, much more valuable offensive player than Rondo regardless of the fact that he rarely gets double digit assists.  He creates more space and more opportunities for his teammates because he's such a threat to score with the ball in his hands -- even though he's not an amazing shooter outside of 15 feet.  His pull up mid-range jumper is just that deadly.

  If you look at the Celts and the Spurs on offense with and without Rondo/Parker over the last few years you'd see the opposite of your claim (Tony Parker is a much, much more valuable offensive player than Rondo) is true, and with good reason. When Rondo has the ball in his hands he creates plenty of space for his teammates with his dribbling. When he passes someone the ball and they shoot it he's generating a much more efficient scoring chance than the team would otherwise get. The thought that the step or so closer to Parker than Rondo the defender is when they don't have the ball would have close to that impact on the team's offense is ridiculous.

[action781]

There's nothing quantifiable that Rondo can do this year to not get the occassional criticism from me.  Points, assists, steals, wins, percentages... nothing.  I don't even need him to be the "go to guy".

I just need to see him show up and play hard for 90% of the regular season games.  I'm hoping that without feeling that he has other guys that he can fall back on to pick up the slack that he will do that.  If he does that then he'll stop getting my criticism. 

And if this team can finish over .500 than he'll even have a vote of confidence from me that we may be able to build a championship contender around him.  But I currently see him as a 2nd banana on a championship team.

[rondoallaturca]

All he needs to do for me is to be a good leader by giving a consistent effort each night and not getting into any more trouble with the referees. Keep his head high through this year and he'll experience winning a lot quicker. Otherwise, everyone already knows he has the skills to be one of the best PGs in the league - if not THE best, at times. I mean, it would be nice if he could continue working on that jumper and become more potent offensively, but I'm not expecting him to score 20 points or anything. He's most dangerous as a cerebral pass-first PG, and that's what he should continue to be.

[Vermont Green]

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.

  At some point in time you'll have to question the validity of that metric. You're halfway there, since you're trying to decouple your opinion of whether Rondo shoots the ball well from how well he shoots the ball. The next step is realizing that, as Rondo has improved as an outside shooter, teams still give him space when he has the ball. The obvious conclusion is that teams don't sag off of Rondo simply because of his shooting, but because they're more worried about his passing and dribble penetration.

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.

  This theory would hold a lot more water if we didn't see Rondo get his teammates open shots on the bulk of our possessions. Your opinion of space creation is based on whether teams worry about your jump shooting and completely ignores more important things like dribble penetration, where Rondo excels.

  Since we're not in mid-season, go to youtube and look at some Rondo passing highlights, then decide whether Rondo gets people open or not. Your description above is a fairly textbook explanation of what effect a poor shooter should have on a team's offense but it bears little relationship to what actually happens on the court when Rondo plays.

We have gone back and forth on this a few times but your whole theory is blown out of the water when you consider that in both of the recent instances where Rondo missed significant games, the Celtics averaged more team assists than when Rondo played.  Stats can create any reality you want and you can pick and choose them accordingly.

The point of the team assists stat though is that even though having Rondo on the court adds a highly talented individual passer, Rondo also takes away ball movement and allows defenses to play differently, both of which take away team assists.  (This is the paradox of Rondo).

I say more team assists without a single individual getting a pile of assists is better than less team assists with one player dominating the ball and piling up assist stats.  This all changes if Rondo could force defenses to play him honestly both when he has the ball and when he doesn't.

Part of the reason Rondo holds the ball so much is that the team is even worse off when he doesn't have the ball and his man sags off even further.  Rondo is freakishly talented is some areas of the game and enigmatically flawed in some others.  If that is being unfairly critical of Rondo then so be it but that is how I see it.

[Tr1boy]

He has little choice but to change. No KG,PP,PP.  He has to pass and trust everyone. Even if they miss the basket which might happen at first, you don't care about your stats and just keep making the right plays.

He has to stop the rolling the ball up the court bs. When the game is on the line thats fine, but not when its not. Also When he has an opportunity to jump start a fast break, to do it.

Lastly he has to stop gambling on defense and stay in front of his man.

So he does these things, he will be back to 2008-2010 Rondo. A handful for opposing teams to play against. If he doesn't do these things , starts barking at everyone else on the team, plays spotty defense, he will be gone by trade deadline.  Pressey who is not as good as Rondo, will give him a run for his money in practice and when he gets a chance to play backup min i forsee.