Is Rondo the best passer in the game?

[lightspeed5]

I think he is, easily. the way he finds his man, or creates, is remarkable.

We're spoiled with an incredibly talented player, and a lot of those requesting trades of rondo for a 2015 2nd rounder wouldn't realize how spoiled we are until hes gone.

[PhoSita]

I've yet to see a solitary soul propose trading Rondo for a 2015 2nd rounder.

[Vox_Populi]

I thought that was a league wide consensus?

[Eddie20]

IMO Rubio is...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km6Kpp4igs4

[bobbyv]

I thought that was a league wide consensus?

This.

[slamtheking]

I think so but I'm biased in his favor.

I really haven't seen anyone that's as good a passer as he is since Magic.  There have been a number of terrific passers since that time but Rondo seems to have the same knack as Magic did of being able to thread needles or find open teammates for great shots.

(Before I get roasted, I'm not saying he's as good as Magic, just has a very similar passing skill)

[Celtics17]

Rondo is not only the best passer now but he's the best since John Stockton, maybe even since Magic. I know Stockton had a boatload of assists, more then Magic, but I'm not sure he was a better passer then Rondo, and I know he wasn't better then Magic.

[Roy H.]

Arguably, yes.  The only other guy in question is Chris Paul.  Rondo seems to make more creative passes than Paul does, but he also turns the ball over a lot more.

[CelticConcourse]

Yeah, he's the best passer in the game and it will be interesting to see how he does without KG/PP; I think that (1) he will still lead the league in APG, total assists, (2) continue to be the best passer in the game, and (3) not be traded for a 2015 second-round pick.

[Boris Badenov]

Rondo is not only the best passer now but he's the best since John Stockton, maybe even since Magic. I know Stockton had a boatload of assists, more then Magic, but I'm not sure he was a better passer then Rondo, and I know he wasn't better then Magic.

What "best passer" means could be different to different people.

Stockton was not very flashy but IMO he is the best ever in terms of delivering the ball in exactly the right spot, at exactly the right time for a player to catch in rhythm and shoot. He was also exceptionally gifted in terms of passing with either hand from nearly any phase of his dribble.

People sometimes say "yeah but he was playing with Malone," but I watched a lot of Utah basketball in the old days and Stockton also made guys like Eaton and Ostertag look good. That's not easy.

Stockton vs. Magic is probably an unresolvable debate but I prefer Stockton. I think he did more to make the (much weaker) players around him better than Magic did. But I wouldn't blame anyone for preferring Magic.

I don't think Rondo's close to Stockton in terms of making guys around him better and creating easy shots for others, but that's no insult. I actually really like Rondo in terms of the same attributes, and I think Rondo has a legit claim on being the best passer right now if that means creating easy looks for other players, and making the right plays at the right time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAPu4nLzDbQ

[BballTim]

Arguably, yes.  The only other guy in question is Chris Paul.  Rondo seems to make more creative passes than Paul does, but he also turns the ball over a lot more.

  That's really the crux of the matter. When you're discussing who's the best passer it has the added complexity of people having different ideas of what constitutes a good passer. I think Rondo's vision, the speed in which he can process what's happening on the court and his understanding of the geometries involved in getting the ball to the right spot at the right time through tiny windows of space and time is the best I've seen since Bird. If Paul tried to make the passes Rondo does he'd turn the ball over (IMO) more than Rondo does. But the fact that CP doesn't attempt the high risk passes Rondo does (and thus turns the ball over less often) works in his favor.

  It's like arguing whether Bird was a better shooter than Nash. Bird could hit all kind of crazy shots. Falling out of bounds, sitting down, falling down away from the basket, over the backboard, and so on. It's reasonable to argue that not attempting those shots would add to his "shot selection" quotient.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Rondo is very good at creating passing opportunities and seeing the floor like very few can do. I wouldn't put him at the top merely because I think he has some flaws with his timing and accuracy (for shooters).

In the last couple of years, I still have to say that Nash and Rubio are at the top, great bounce passes and they seem to hit their man at the perfect spot time and time again for a natural shooting flow.

[bucknersrevenge]

Rondo is very good at creating passing opportunities and seeing the floor like very few can do. I wouldn't put him at the top merely because I think he has some flaws with his timing and accuracy (for shooters).

In the last couple of years, I still have to say that Nash and Rubio are at the top, great bounce passes and they seem to hit their man at the perfect spot time and time again for a natural shooting flow.

I'd definitely put Nash and Rubio up there with Rondo. When I think best passer I think of volume, vision, accuracy(a/to, ability to hit a receiver in his hands with the right pass) and creativity. Those 3 guys have it. I might put Paul up there with them too.

[D.o.s.]

For my money Rondo, Rubio, and the ghost of Christmas Nash are the three most creative passers in the NBA today.

[EJPLAYA]

Rondo is a very good passer, no doubt. To compare him to the same level as John Stockton is absolute nonsense though. Stockton is the greatest passer to ever play the game. Flashy passes does not translate to being a better passer, it just increases your turnovers. Stockton was in complete control at all time and was on the basketball IQ level with Larry Bird. Wasn't the greatest athlete around, but was so much smarter and fundamentally sound. If you didn't watch him live, then watch that video Boris posted and you'll understand.

That being said, I would have to take Nash in today's NBA as the best actual passer.