Rondo # 26 on SI's top 100

[Eric M VAN]

These "ratings' have caused a bit of a negative stir amongst some posters, but I find them fun and a nice time killer while waiting for TC to start. As always YMMV.

http://nba.si.com/2013/09/18/nba-top-100-players-30-21-kevin-garnett-paul-george/

(Garnett's in there too)

26. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G, 27)
2012-13 stats: 37.4 MPG, 13.7 PPG, 11.1 APG, 5.6 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 48.4 FG%, 24.0 3FG%
2012-13 advanced stats: 18.1 PER, 3.2 Win Shares, +0.6 RAPM
Note: Rondo played only 38 games last season due to a knee injury

Besides the sample-size uncertainty that surrounds the younger players on this list, the trickiest variables to weigh in producing the top 100 were recent injuries and radically changed team circumstances. Rondo, who tore his ACL in February and watched Boston dismantle its aging roster this offseason, joins the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Cavaliers’ Andrew Bynum among the perplexing group of stars dealing with both major health factors and new roster dynamics. Given his endless series of red flags, Bynum (No. 60) is a pretty unassailable first choice as “most difficult player to rank,” but Rondo’s (relative) youth and the many polarizing holes in his game make him a strong contender for second.

When will Rondo be back? Nobody knows. What will he look like, exactly, once he’s surrounded by Kelly Olynyk and Gerald Wallace instead of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce? Nobody knows.

Even with Hall of Famers surrounding him, Rondo wasn’t able to guide the Celtics to an above-average mark in offensive efficiency during the last three seasons. Defensively, Rondo’s instinctive gambling has put him among the league leaders in steals annually, but he no longer has Garnett to serve as an intelligent, long and fearsome safety net. Rondo’s other major shortcomings — his game-to-game inconsistency, lack of shooting range and limited ability to get to, and convert from, the free-throw line — will also be subject to further exposure and critique whenever the Celtics’ offensive attack stalls out. Some have raised questions about how Brad Stevens, a first-time NBA coach, will handle Rondo’s bristly personality.

And yet, Rondo — a four-time All-Star, 2012 All-NBA third-team selection and 2012 All-Defensive second-team pick — cannot be written off, not when he mounted a furious challenge to the Heat’s supremacy just 16 months ago. For those who have already forgotten: Rondo averaged 20.9 points, 11.3 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in the 2012 Eastern Conference finals, hanging 44 points on Miami in Game 2 and posting a 22/14/10 triple-double in Game 7. Pick your favorite point guard — Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving — and ask yourself whether he, or any of the others, has had a more impressive playoff series over the last five years than Rondo’s.

The sky-scraping height of that high point, his peerless distribution creativity (now that age finally caught up to Steve Nash) and the 2008 championship ring that glistens from his résumé should be more than enough to give a bit of a grace period to Rondo’s reputation as we wait to see how quickly he gets back to 100 percent health and how the Celtics ultimately decide to handle his role in their uncertain future. — B.G.

Youtube top 10 plays Career (Somme "WOW" stuff here, whether this embeds correctly or not, I give up..always hit or miss for me)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHFwwwle-qw&

(Edited per D.o.s.)

[D.o.s.]

These "ratings' have caused a bit of a negative stir amongst some posters, but I find them fun and a nice time killer while waiting for TC to start. As always YMMV.

http://nba.si.com/2013/09/18/nba-top-100-players-30-21-kevin-garnett-paul-george/

(Garnett's in there too)

26. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics (G, 27)
2012-13 stats: 37.4 MPG, 13.7 PPG, 11.1 APG, 5.6 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 48.4 FG%, 24.0 3FG%
2012-13 advanced stats: 18.1 PER, 3.2 Win Shares, +0.6 RAPM
Note: Rondo played only 38 games last season due to a knee injury

Besides the sample-size uncertainty that surrounds the younger players on this list, the trickiest variables to weigh in producing the top 100 were recent injuries and radically changed team circumstances. Rondo, who tore his ACL in February and watched Boston dismantle its aging roster this offseason, joins the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant and the Cavaliers’ Andrew Bynum among the perplexing group of stars dealing with both major health factors and new roster dynamics. Given his endless series of red flags, Bynum (No. 60) is a pretty unassailable first choice as “most difficult player to rank,” but Rondo’s (relative) youth and the many polarizing holes in his game make him a strong contender for second.

When will Rondo be back? Nobody knows. What will he look like, exactly, once he’s surrounded by Kelly Olynyk and Gerald Wallace instead of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce? Nobody knows.

Even with Hall of Famers surrounding him, Rondo wasn’t able to guide the Celtics to an above-average mark in offensive efficiency during the last three seasons. Defensively, Rondo’s instinctive gambling has put him among the league leaders in steals annually, but he no longer has Garnett to serve as an intelligent, long and fearsome safety net. Rondo’s other major shortcomings — his game-to-game inconsistency, lack of shooting range and limited ability to get to, and convert from, the free-throw line — will also be subject to further exposure and critique whenever the Celtics’ offensive attack stalls out. Some have raised questions about how Brad Stevens, a first-time NBA coach, will handle Rondo’s bristly personality.

And yet, Rondo — a four-time All-Star, 2012 All-NBA third-team selection and 2012 All-Defensive second-team pick — cannot be written off, not when he mounted a furious challenge to the Heat’s supremacy just 16 months ago. For those who have already forgotten: Rondo averaged 20.9 points, 11.3 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in the 2012 Eastern Conference finals, hanging 44 points on Miami in Game 2 and posting a 22/14/10 triple-double in Game 7. Pick your favorite point guard — Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving — and ask yourself whether he, or any of the others, has had a more impressive playoff series over the last five years than Rondo’s.

The sky-scraping height of that high point, his peerless distribution creativity (now that age finally caught up to Steve Nash) and the 2008 championship ring that glistens from his résumé should be more than enough to give a bit of a grace period to Rondo’s reputation as we wait to see how quickly he gets back to 100 percent health and how the Celtics ultimately decide to handle his role in their uncertain future. — B.G.

Youtube top 10 plays Career (Somme "WOW" stuff here, whether this embeds correctly or not, I give up..always hit or miss for me)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHFwwwle-qw

There you go with the Youtube.

I'd agree with that write up, and that placement.

Thirteen days until training camp!

[Eric M VAN]

TP for fixing that!. I sent you a PM, if you could help when you have time, much appreciated.

[D.o.s.]

PM replied to, no worries!


Anyway, watching that top 10 reminded me of parts of this top ten:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfS8lEzIVSo

[LarBrd33]

Yup... this puts him behind

#24  Deron Williams
TBA  Derrick Rose
TBA  Westbrook
TBA  Chris Paul
TBA  Steph Curry
TBA  Kyrie Irving
TBA  Tony Parker

... So... still a top 10 PG.  Fringe all-star heading forward.  Should be fun to see him play without the legends.  My guess is he'll have an average season.  He might struggle to make the allstar team from here on out.  Lots of talented guards in this league and Rondo is prob past his prime.

[manl_lui]

Yup... this puts him behind

#24  Deron Williams
TBA  Derrick Rose
TBA  Westbrook
TBA  Chris Paul
TBA  Steph Curry
TBA  Kyrie Irving
TBA  Tony Parker

... So... still a top 10 PG.  Fringe all-star heading forward.  Should be fun to see him play without the legends.  My guess is he'll have an average season.  He might struggle to make the allstar team from here on out.  Lots of talented guards in this league and Rondo is prob past his prime.

I don't know yet. As a Celtics fan and Rondo fan, I am really hoping Rondo proves people wrong. Come back from an injury and still average something like 12-15 ppg and 11 apg. I hope Rondo heard what KG said about him recently that he still thinks Rondo is the best pg in the NBA.

Man, it's almost October, can't wait for training camp to start!

[Clench123]

When has Rondo ever disappoint when the challenge and pressure is on?  Whenever there is a point to prove, he shows up.  The pressure and challenge has never been as high as it is at this moment.  I truly believe in this guy.

[aporel#18]

Yup... this puts him behind

#24  Deron Williams
TBA  Derrick Rose
TBA  Westbrook
TBA  Chris Paul
TBA  Steph Curry
TBA  Kyrie Irving
TBA  Tony Parker

... So... still a top 10 PG.  Fringe all-star heading forward.  Should be fun to see him play without the legends.  My guess is he'll have an average season.  He might struggle to make the allstar team from here on out.  Lots of talented guards in this league and Rondo is prob past his prime.

Why so sad? don't worry, this is just SI doing another their 2013 preseason stupid ranking. I guess you think John Wall, Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague are also better than Rondo, but whatever, those kids will show it during the season, right?

Chris Paul is a beast, and Tony Parker would have a point as best PG in the NBA. The rest are clearly not better than Rondo at setting an offense and make their teammates better. I'd say Westchuck and Rose are not very good at that, while Curry is too good of a shooter to pass it a lot. Kyrie Irving looks like he'll make some All-NBA teams, but we'll see.

[Tr1boy]

People especially Rondo fanatics won't like hearing this, but he hasn't proven alot without having at least two out of big three around him.

Playoff Rondo, can be that bc opposing players constantly had to stress on guarding KG, PP, Allen.

Last year it was Rondo's time to shine with KG and PP taking a backseat, but it didn't go smooth.

So bottom line is #26 ranking for Rondo is ok. He has to prove he can be the main guy before he can move up in ranking

[BballTim]

People especially Rondo fanatics won't like hearing this, but he hasn't proven alot without having at least two out of big three around him.

Playoff Rondo, can be that bc opposing players constantly had to stress on guarding KG, PP, Allen.

Last year it was Rondo's time to shine with KG and PP taking a backseat, but it didn't go smooth.

  PP and KG took a back seat to Rondo in 2012 and ended up a game away from the finals. People who think Rondo did well in the playoffs because people were so stressed about PP/KG/RA are living in denial.

[BballTim]

Yup... this puts him behind

#24  Deron Williams
TBA  Derrick Rose
TBA  Westbrook
TBA  Chris Paul
TBA  Steph Curry
TBA  Kyrie Irving
TBA  Tony Parker

... So... still a top 10 PG.  Fringe all-star heading forward.  Should be fun to see him play without the legends.  My guess is he'll have an average season.  He might struggle to make the allstar team from here on out.  Lots of talented guards in this league and Rondo is prob past his prime.

  I don't know that making the all-star game is more important than being one of the best players in the playoffs. Some people get excited about "his game-to-game inconsistency, lack of shooting range and limited ability to get to, and convert from, the free-throw line", I'm more interested in "Rondo averaged 20.9 points, 11.3 assists, 6.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals in the 2012 Eastern Conference finals, hanging 44 points on Miami in Game 2 and posting a 22/14/10 triple-double in Game 7. Pick your favorite point guard — Chris Paul, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving — and ask yourself whether he, or any of the others, has had a more impressive playoff series over the last five years than Rondo’s".

[D.o.s.]

food for thought: "Playoff Rondo" only happens when the Celtics make the playoffs or are broadcast on national television, two things that look unlikely for this upcoming season.

[Vermont Green]

Rondo at 26 is a little high I think but certainly in the right range.  Pierce at 32 or whatever it is  seems low to me.

I predict that Pierce is going to have a much better year than it seems most people think.

[LilRip]

I dunno about #26 but the description seems pretty spot on. Definitely a top 10 pg.

[mmmmm]

I'm not at all interested in these (or other) player rankings as they are mostly pretty much worthless trash, imho.

But LOVE the highlight videos of Rajon and The Glove!