How much better does Rondo make this team?

[Boris Badenov]

Curious to hear others' thoughts on this.

Personally I'm concerned. Rondo can obviously do a lot to get players good shots in a structured offense, where people are good enough offensively to hit open shots.

But, right now we lack veteran players who are skilled at running an offense and getting to their spots - this is something Rondo's always had.

I could see it going both ways. Maybe our rooks and chuckers, or those who are offensively challenged in other ways, will be much better off with Rondo running the show.

But part of me wonders whether our offensive limitations are so severe that Rondo will end up creating shots for people who can't hit them...or whether the offensive flow will be so bad that he can't save it.

What do you think?

[guava_wrench]

A healthy Rondo will make us considerably better, but (1) we still won't be a good team and (2) Rondo probably won't be fully recovered until next season.

[GranTur]

A healthy and motivated Rondo is a top 5 player that makes every team better.

He's only fully motivated in the playoffs, though that might change since getting to the playoffs is a challenge.

Rondo would have no problem leading this team somewhere good. He knows what to do.

[playdream]

i think it depends on the coach's strategy and how Rondo adjust
last year our offense flow had been significantly better when
Rondo was not on the floor

[LarBrd33]

I think we win between 15-25 games without him.  I think if he comes back we win between 25-38. 

There's a lot of people who think we'd be better off winning 15 games than winning 38 games.

[2short]

put it into perspective
team assists tonight 12

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

Last year we had a 6 game winning streak about the time Rondo went down, which was followed by a 6? game losing streak (a little fuzzy on the numbers) kinda hard to peg how much his presence or absence determined the Cs level of play

[beklog]

put it into perspective
team assists tonight 12

10/7 BOS vs TOR  = 25ast
10/9 NY vs BOS   = 28ast
10/11 BOS vs PHI = 21ast
10/12 NY vs BOS  = 19ast
10/15 BOS vs BKN = 20ast
10/16 BOS vs TOR = 23ast
10/20 BOS vs MIN = 12ast

2nd to the lowest in assist we had is with Knicks and we won by 30pts against them.... Rondo shouldn't be known only assist but pushing the ball, he can outscored everyone on the floor too, and lastly his husstle and being a floor general

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

If we were still purporting  to contend with last season's core then a case could be made that whereas good ball and player movement ought to get us through most regular season nights (thus Rondo is a luxury) without him, in the playoffs against playoff calibre defence,  sustaining scoring across a full game becomes very very hard. Hence the playoff Rondo Mythology. We are not contending this season. And as far as I can see this roster has personnel gaps that will continue to gape however much Rondo boosts the production of those around him.

[Coach]

A healthy and motivated Rondo is a top 5 player

Love Rondo, and think he's probably a top 20 player, but there is no way he's Top 25.

If Rondo some how develops a dependable jumper, and isn't afraid to take it, he will be a beast, and carry this team a long way.

[Celtics4ever]

I think he adds 10 wins for the season easily.   We don't have a lot of knockdown shooters right now which he needs to excel.  But he would add a lot of pressure on defenses with his ability to drive.   We also have never seen him play fast break ball which I think he would be better at than half court stuff he was stuck with the big three.

[dark_lord]

we are a little better but not too much, imo.  rondo needs pieces around him and we got nothing this year.  I like rondo but I have never thought he is a player to build around....he is better if he is a piece of a puzzle, rather than being "the guy".  however, I think rondo will be extra motivated, as it is "his team" and he is coming off an injury.  he is a guy that does well when motivated or having to prove something.

[D.o.s.]

Considering that this team has not been very successful getting the ball to guys for easy shots when they're not in transition, I'd say Rondo will make a significant difference.

[Celtics18]

Considering that this team has not been very successful getting the ball to guys for easy shots when they're not in transition, I'd say Rondo will make a significant difference.

I'll agree.  I think the difference will be significant once Rondo returns. 

[GranTur]

A healthy and motivated Rondo is a top 5 player

Love Rondo, and think he's probably a top 20 player, but there is no way he's Top 25.

If Rondo some how develops a dependable jumper, and isn't afraid to take it, he will be a beast, and carry this team a long way.

In each year's playoffs he probes how otherwordly he is. He carried an injured 2010 team to a corrupt 4th quarter game 7 in the Finals.

He carried a depleted and injured team to a 4th quarter game 7 in the ECF against the eventual champion Heat.

He ia a top 5 player every playoffs when he turns it on.