Grantland: Everything You Think You Know About Rondo's Shooting Is Wrong

[BleedGreen1989]

Tonight marks the return of Rajon Rondo, one of the most enigmatic and entertaining players in the league. The Celtics are in desperate need of a boost. So is the Eastern Conference, for that matter. Rondo will hopefully provide that, but big questions remain about his health and his ability to shine in a post-Ubuntu world.

Rondo grew up in a point guard’s dream, winning a title and dishing out assists to future Hall of Famers at literally every position on the court (if you count the Shaq era). But those guys are all gone now, and Rondo is left as the chief operating officer of Boston’s fledgling start-up franchise. More than ever, that New England spotlight will shine down upon him. More than ever, he’ll be the subject of Tommy Heinsohn’s grandfatherly praise and Michael Felger’s drive-time trolling.

Whether he wants to be or not, Rondo is now the face of the Celtics organization......

For the real meat and potatoes you should click the link and read it. Grantland always has great content.
(http://grantland.com/the-triangle/courtvision-everything-you-think-you-know-about-rondos-shooting-is-wrong/)

[BudweiserCeltic]

I expected at least that the quoted portion had some relevance to the thread title...

I'll go read the link now.

[BleedGreen1989]

I expected at least that the quoted portion had some relevance to the thread title...

I'll go read the link now.

Well the point is to get people to read the article. Not copy and paste it for everybody.

[Lucky17]

Is there someplace where I can see that kind of shot chart for every player in the league?

[guava_wrench]

I expect that defenders will go over picks more until Rondo shows that he has regained his explosiveness.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I expected at least that the quoted portion had some relevance to the thread title...

I'll go read the link now.

Well the point is to get people to read the article. Not copy and paste it for everybody.

You don't have to copy paste the whole article, I'd say quote at least a point that is relevant to the thread title that is worth discussing in this forum.

Like maybe this portion:

Rondo was actually one of the best elbow shooters in the league last season. Out of 141 NBA players who attempted at least 100 shots from the elbows, Rondo ranked fourth in field goal percentage in that zone — trailing only Jason Smith, Steve Nash, and Jose Calderon. Those are pretty good numbers for a guy who can’t shoot. Per Synergy Sports, he also earned a “very good” rating for shots off the dribble, and an “excellent” rating for long 2-point jumpers.

The NBA remains a pick-and-roll league, and Rondo has become a pick-and-roll demigod in part because he has worked to develop that reliable midrange jumper. But as of last year, lots of defenders were still sagging off him, or going under the picks, and as a result many of those elbow shots were uncontested. So, while he has put up really efficient numbers, they are arguably inflated. Unlike many of his “elite” point guard peers, some opponents still dare Rondo to shoot — nobody dares to dare Tony Parker or Chris Paul to shoot. Moreover, last season the Celtics were still decorating the perimeter with dangerous shooters including Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and it remains to be seen if defenders will be as spatially generous with Rondo in the absence of those guys.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Is there someplace where I can see that kind of shot chart for every player in the league?

I wonder the same thing, there used to be a Hot Spots function in nba.com but it's outdated.

[kozlodoev]

Grantland warmed up to stuff we've known for about a year now. Good job.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Grantland warmed up to stuff we've known for about a year now. Good job.

Too true, but at least it's a step forward from what seems to be the inaccurate perceptions perpetuated usually in the media.

[kozlodoev]

Is there someplace where I can see that kind of shot chart for every player in the league?

I wonder the same thing, there used to be a Hot Spots function in nba.com but it's outdated.

Basketball Reference has it, but not for current seasons.

[D.o.s.]

Grantland warmed up to stuff we've known for about a year now. Good job.

ESPN: On the cutting edge of yesterday's news.

[Boris Badenov]

Is there someplace where I can see that kind of shot chart for every player in the league?

I wonder the same thing, there used to be a Hot Spots function in nba.com but it's outdated.

Basketball Reference has it, but not for current seasons.

Hoopdata has shot location data through last year. Not as detailed, but still useful.

http://hoopdata.com/shotstats.aspx

[RyNye]

Grantland warmed up to stuff we've known for about a year now. Good job.

I still see people on these forums parrot the old "Rondo can't shoot" debate. So … yeah, no need to be so dismissive.

[BballTim]

  While I can't vouch for it's accuracy, there's a site named vorped.with all kinds of cool shot chart info.

[BballTim]

Grantland warmed up to stuff we've known for about a year now. Good job.

I still see people on these forums parrot the old "Rondo can't shoot" debate. So … yeah, no need to be so dismissive.

  There were plenty of people here who never updated their opinions of the players from 2009. Last year there were plenty of posts claiming that Rondo's success was mainly due to playing with HOFers.