Will Rondo screw the C's, twice over?

[BballTim]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

[D.o.s.]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

Care to fill out the rest of your top five?

[BballTim]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

Care to fill out the rest of your top five?

  It changes from year to year and players drift in and out based on health. Without giving it too much thought I'd say that Paul and Rondo are generally on that list and typically players like Westbrook/Parker/Rose/Curry/Deron(not so much recently) are on it with them. Wall and Lillard as well I suppose.

[D.o.s.]

Right on. TP for the response.

[PhoSita]

If Rondo plays well enough to carry this team into the playoffs, he won't be screwing over the team.

Why?

Because that'll mean that he's played so well coming off the injury that he's cast off any doubts about his ability to be a franchise player, meaning the team can build around him OR trade him for a really attractive package of assets.

[PhoSita]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

Care to fill out the rest of your top five?

Paul
Westbrook
Curry
Parker
Wall

Rose is a major ? at the moment.  He may not even belong in this discussion anymore. Or he might come back and be right up there with Westbrook again.


Behind that group you have Irving and Lillard, followed by Lawson, Bledsoe, Isiah Thomas (seriously -- check out what he's done this season), Conley, and Holiday.

I think Rondo probably belongs in the above grouping just behind Irving and perhaps on par with Lillard.  I still would place him ahead of the rest of the list.  But it's hard to say for sure because we don't know how he'll perform post-injury.

Deron Williams has really fallen off.  He has stretches where he plays great, but he can't stay healthy and he just doesn't play the minutes or put up the numbers on a regular basis anymore.  He's not in the top tier of PGs anymore.


Really, outside of the very top group, there's a lot of parity at the point guard position.  A lot of really productive players.  I think outside of the very best guys at the position it really just comes down to fit.

[BleedGreen1989]

^^^I'd put Lillard and a healthy Rondo over Wall. Tough though because Wall has really taken his leap during the time Rondo has been out so tough to compare but he's right there.

[Jailan34]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

Care to fill out the rest of your top five?

Paul
Westbrook
Curry
Parker
Wall

Rose is a major ? at the moment.  He may not even belong in this discussion anymore. Or he might come back and be right up there with Westbrook again.


Behind that group you have Irving and Lillard, followed by Lawson, Bledsoe, Isiah Thomas (seriously -- check out what he's done this season), Conley, and Holiday.

I think Rondo probably belongs in the above grouping just behind Irving and perhaps on par with Lillard.  I still would place him ahead of the rest of the list.  But it's hard to say for sure because we don't know how he'll perform post-injury.

Deron Williams has really fallen off.  He has stretches where he plays great, but he can't stay healthy and he just doesn't play the minutes or put up the numbers on a regular basis anymore.  He's not in the top tier of PGs anymore.


Really, outside of the very top group, there's a lot of parity at the point guard position.  A lot of really productive players.  I think outside of the very best guys at the position it really just comes down to fit.

In situations like this with career altering injuries its best, in my opinion, to just take the injured off the list. None of us know what RR will be like when he returns, and he certainly doesn't belong on a list of top point guards this season. It's like delusional Kobe fans voting him into the all star game when he has only played 10 games.

Though in my opinion, Lillard, Curry, Irving and Wall are all having better seasons than Rondo ever had.

Westbrook, Paul and Parker are all much more talented than Rondo and have been for a while.

[PhoSita]

^^^I'd put Lillard and a healthy Rondo over Wall. Tough though because Wall has really taken his leap during the time Rondo has been out so tough to compare but he's right there.

I think Lillard gets a little bit more credit than he deserves because he has such talented teammates.  Playing with LMA as a pick and pop partner does a lot for your confidence and your effectiveness.

Wall is a bigger, more well rounded player than Lillard.  He can impact the game in more ways, and he manages to score just as much by attacking the basket rather than taking as many outside shots.

[BballTim]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

Care to fill out the rest of your top five?

Paul
Westbrook
Curry
Parker
Wall

Rose is a major ? at the moment.  He may not even belong in this discussion anymore. Or he might come back and be right up there with Westbrook again.


Behind that group you have Irving and Lillard, followed by Lawson, Bledsoe, Isiah Thomas (seriously -- check out what he's done this season), Conley, and Holiday.

I think Rondo probably belongs in the above grouping just behind Irving and perhaps on par with Lillard.  I still would place him ahead of the rest of the list.  But it's hard to say for sure because we don't know how he'll perform post-injury.

Deron Williams has really fallen off.  He has stretches where he plays great, but he can't stay healthy and he just doesn't play the minutes or put up the numbers on a regular basis anymore.  He's not in the top tier of PGs anymore.


Really, outside of the very top group, there's a lot of parity at the point guard position.  A lot of really productive players.  I think outside of the very best guys at the position it really just comes down to fit.

In situations like this with career altering injuries its best, in my opinion, to just take the injured off the list. None of us know what RR will be like when he returns, and he certainly doesn't belong on a list of top point guards this season. It's like delusional Kobe fans voting him into the all star game when he has only played 10 games.

Though in my opinion, Lillard, Curry, Irving and Wall are all having better seasons than Rondo ever had.

Westbrook, Paul and Parker are all much more talented than Rondo and have been for a while.

  Westbrook's a talented scorer and a good rebounder, that's about it. He's not much of a passer, not the best ball-handler IMO, doesn't make great decisions, doesn't run an offense well, and doesn't have great vision. Many of those criticisms apply to most of the players you listed. You can look at their stats and be impressed, but when you watch them play you see that they generally only do simplistic things on offense, don't make really accurate or well-timed passes and are frequently oblivious to mismatches or open teammates. Also, most of them will never be threats to make all-defense teams.

[tstorey_97]

Rajon Rondo will enter the final year of his contract next year. He is a top talent in the NBA. He is also a "highly recognized" player. Barring a contract clause, NBA players services can be traded.

The above facts explain the raging debate which will continue until he re signs or is traded.

Police work? Why not. Auerbach was Ainge's mentor. Auerbach built from the bigs out. This suggests that Ainge will/might "value/pay/seek" a big over a point guard.

[D.o.s.]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

Care to fill out the rest of your top five?

Paul
Westbrook
Curry
Parker
Wall

Rose is a major ? at the moment.  He may not even belong in this discussion anymore. Or he might come back and be right up there with Westbrook again.


Behind that group you have Irving and Lillard, followed by Lawson, Bledsoe, Isiah Thomas (seriously -- check out what he's done this season), Conley, and Holiday.

I think Rondo probably belongs in the above grouping just behind Irving and perhaps on par with Lillard.  I still would place him ahead of the rest of the list.  But it's hard to say for sure because we don't know how he'll perform post-injury.

Deron Williams has really fallen off.  He has stretches where he plays great, but he can't stay healthy and he just doesn't play the minutes or put up the numbers on a regular basis anymore.  He's not in the top tier of PGs anymore.


Really, outside of the very top group, there's a lot of parity at the point guard position.  A lot of really productive players.  I think outside of the very best guys at the position it really just comes down to fit.

In situations like this with career altering injuries its best, in my opinion, to just take the injured off the list. None of us know what RR will be like when he returns, and he certainly doesn't belong on a list of top point guards this season. It's like delusional Kobe fans voting him into the all star game when he has only played 10 games.

Though in my opinion, Lillard, Curry, Irving and Wall are all having better seasons than Rondo ever had.

Westbrook, Paul and Parker are all much more talented than Rondo and have been for a while.

  Westbrook's a talented scorer and a good rebounder, that's about it. He's not much of a passer, not the best ball-handler IMO, doesn't make great decisions, doesn't run an offense well, and doesn't have great vision. Many of those criticisms apply to most of the players you listed. You can look at their stats and be impressed, but when you watch them play you see that they generally only do simplistic things on offense, don't make really accurate or well-timed passes and are frequently oblivious to mismatches or open teammates. Also, most of them will never be threats to make all-defense teams.

I think you're selling Westbrook a little short there, but I don't think you can reasonably argue "more talented less talented" among the top tier of NBA point guards.

edit: and the "better seasons than Rondo ever had" bit is pretty laughable as well.

[Vermont Green]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

OK, let's just say that Rondo is the 5th best PG in the league or will be for the next few seasons.  I think that may be a stretch personally but whether he is 5th or 8th may not make all that much difference to my next point.

Is the 5th best PG in the league, who will be past 30 in the middle of his next contract, be worth a max contract to a rebuilding team?  I think that is more the point of this thread.  Will we sign him or will someone else.

I don't think Rondo right now is looking to jump but I also doubt there will be a hometown discount.  I think Rondo is going to want top and maybe even max money.  I feel that would be overpaying especially for a rebuilding team but other GMs in other situation may pony up.

[PhoSita]

Many of those criticisms apply to most of the players you listed. You can look at their stats and be impressed, but when you watch them play you see that they generally only do simplistic things on offense, don't make really accurate or well-timed passes and are frequently oblivious to mismatches or open teammates. Also, most of them will never be threats to make all-defense teams.

Honestly, I just look at which guys I feel are most dangerous and difficult to deal with (from the opponent's perspective) when they're on the floor.  The guys I listed -- especially those top 5 -- play a huge role in helping their teams win games.  Those guys are heavy lifters and each of them brings a package of skills and attributes to the table that no other player in the league can.

Rondo is also a unique player who makes a major impact, but I think the top 5 guys I listed are more dangerous.


You'll notice I didn't once mention anything to do with their role as "point guard" and which of them is more a "pure point guard."  I don't care so much about position.

[BballTim]

Trade him now or potentially let him walk for nothing?

Play him, if he is healthy and has improved his jumper keep him, period.  He always was a jumpshot away from being a top five point guard.   I have heard Tommy say that his jumper is vastly improved.  If this is true and he comes back at a high level he could be lethal to our opponents.   It's a huge "IF" though.

  He's been a top 5 point guard for years.

OK, let's just say that Rondo is the 5th best PG in the league or will be for the next few seasons.  I think that may be a stretch personally but whether he is 5th or 8th may not make all that much difference to my next point.

Is the 5th best PG in the league, who will be past 30 in the middle of his next contract, be worth a max contract to a rebuilding team?  I think that is more the point of this thread.  Will we sign him or will someone else.

I don't think Rondo right now is looking to jump but I also doubt there will be a hometown discount.  I think Rondo is going to want top and maybe even max money.  I feel that would be overpaying especially for a rebuilding team but other GMs in other situation may pony up.

  First of all top 5 doesn't necessarily mean 5th. Secondly, I don't expect the team to go through a long rebuild and I doubt that Danny or Wyc do either. It may happen but more likely than not it will only happen if it's the last option available.