So...now do you see why Rondo can be frustrating?

[LarBrd33]

Where's Tim? I clicked into this thread (finally) assuming there'd be 47 quadruple-quoted responses frrm him. He on vacation or something?

I'm literally concerned.  I don't know if I can survive without Tim balancing things out.  It's kind of like a Batman/Joker relationship.  I'm pretty sure he's Batman.  We need Batman.  Where Batman at?

Does that make you the Riddler? 

I'm Doctor Double X.  I'm usually just arguing with myself.

[wiley]

I disagree that putting him out there when not ready has no down side.  Basketball is a head game and this could mess with his head.  It may carry over into next year and maybe make Rondo want a fresh start somewhere else (who knows).  I am not saying this or that will happen, I just don't think it is good to have him out there playing that bad.  He may bounce back next game and play mediocre instead of bad and this may all become moot.

More troubling is that possibility that Rondo really is "ready" but just rusty.  Rust I would think should diminish a player say 10% maybe 20%, not 70%.  This would imply that he is only going to get maybe 20% better.  I prefer to believe that Rondo just isn't ready and they have him out there earlier than he should.  If he doesn't turn it around markedly soon, they should shut him down.

I hate to say but most of this post is crazy talk.  First, there's not going to be an issue with his confidence except as regards confidence in his knee.  Second, he didn't play as horribly as you portray, just missed a ton of shots (if he'd hit most of them he'd be being praised to high heaven).  3rd, shutting him down when he appears to be running fine (physically okay) would be the weirdest thing any NBA has done in about 70 years.

[tstorey_97]

I am still in the trade Rondo for Jordan Crawford camp. At least Crawford hits almost 80% of his three throws while losing ten games in a row...Rondo's not even close.

I'm also shocked that Rondo couldn't single handedly beat the world champions with one of the most heavily booby trapped rosters in recent memory. "Hey Jeff? Here's the ball take a shot...no? Ok, Gerald, here's the ball...take a shot...no? Hey D league kid, here's the ball take a shot... Beat Miami will ya?"

I will say this, C's hit two more field goals in the last 1:55 and Miami would have been fouling them. Our guys play their butts off.



 

[CoachBo]

This thread is kind of a downer.  Ya'll need some BBallTim. 

Where you at Tim?  Spread the gospel of the cult of Rondo.  We need a pick-me-up.  Our superstar is averaging 5 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds on 26%/0%/25% shooting. Preach the good word, brother Tim.

And another TP for you, sir.

You are "en fuego."

[Celtics18]

Man, you guys sure a piling on.  If Rondo looks as bad offensively tonight as he did last night, I'll start to get worried.  I don't think anyone--even the most ardent Rondo supporters--expected him to look like 2012 playoff Rondo in his first three games back, though. 

[Boris Badenov]

Where's Tim? I clicked into this thread (finally) assuming there'd be 47 quadruple-quoted responses frrm him. He on vacation or something?

I'm literally concerned.  I don't know if I can survive without Tim balancing things out.  It's kind of like a Batman/Joker relationship.  I'm pretty sure he's Batman.  We need Batman.  Where Batman at?



 

I have always thought of you guys more like this:

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Rondo is a poor free throw shooter.  OMG, when did this happen.  This is the most shocking news EVER.

 

[wiley]

Man, you guys sure a piling on.  If Rondo looks as bad offensively tonight as he did last night, I'll start to get worried.  I don't think anyone--even the most ardent Rondo supporters--expected him to look like 2012 playoff Rondo in his first three games back, though.

Don't get concerned tonight either.....just be happy as his knee continues to hold up and look to next year.

[Celtics18]

Man, you guys sure a piling on.  If Rondo looks as bad offensively tonight as he did last night, I'll start to get worried.  I don't think anyone--even the most ardent Rondo supporters--expected him to look like 2012 playoff Rondo in his first three games back, though.

Don't get concerned tonight either.....just be happy as his knee continues to hold up and look to next year.

I want to see improvement before the 2013-2014 season is out.  I don't think he'll be anywhere near 100% by tonight's ball game, but I do expect him to do better than 0 for 8 from the field. 

[Kuberski33]

He is not 100% folks.   I don't think he is even close to being ready.

What is even more frustrating is people don't get this and get that no GM would trade for him in his present state.

If he was a horse, they'd take him out back to shoot him.

I'm not sure he's even at 50%.  The one useful skill he can deliver right now is getting the ball to people where they need it in order to do something with it.  The mere fact that he's even on the court is a plus. 

[tstorey_97]

Cut this Batman talk out! This is serious. Our ball club is 21 games out of first place and it is about time the injured guy strapped'em on and rained forty on the Heat.

What's the matter with you guys? 14 and 29 and you're packing it in? BTW starting shooting guard is out for awhile, but we have TWO count'em two D league guys now....we got the east right where we want'em.

(poor Knute Rockne imitation)

[dark_lord]

my stance on rondo is the following:

1. he can never be "the man" on his team.  If he is your #1 guy, you not a championship calibur team (and ur lucky to be a playoff team in the east).  If he is your #2 guy, ur in the right direction.  If he is your #3 guy, now ur talking!

2. he can be the best guy on the floor at any point in a game....he can also be invisible during the same game.

3. while he is a great pg, he isn't a top 5 imo

4. i dont mind if he cant shoot, but he needs to be at least a 75% ft shooter.  anything under, hinders his game

5. when he is aggresive, he is unbelievable. when he is passive, he is mediocre.

6. "playoff" rondo is one of the best guards i have ever seen in my 3 decades of watching bball

[Kuberski33]

Dark I think Ainge's feeling on Rondo stems from the fact that PG is one of the hardest positions to fill in the NBA.  I actually think he is top 5 - provided that you surround him with the right supporting cast.

BTW as far as shooting, has anyone payed close attention to Pressey?  He makes Rondo look like Ray Allen.

[Enzzo]

my stance on rondo is the following:

1. he can never be "the man" on his team.  If he is your #1 guy, you not a championship calibur team (and ur lucky to be a playoff team in the east).  If he is your #2 guy, ur in the right direction.  If he is your #3 guy, now ur talking!

2. he can be the best guy on the floor at any point in a game....he can also be invisible during the same game.

3. while he is a great pg, he isn't a top 5 imo

4. i dont mind if he cant shoot, but he needs to be at least a 75% ft shooter.  anything under, hinders his game

5. when he is aggresive, he is unbelievable. when he is passive, he is mediocre.

6. "playoff" rondo is one of the best guards i have ever seen in my 3 decades of watching bball

I agree with most of your points but,

3.) I would honestly put him in top 3, yet to be seen whether he will get back to that or not.

4.) I'm actually more worried about his FT%. Again, very shakey as it's his third game back. But I think his jumper will get better as he starts playing more and more. But his FT has alway plagued him and I really hope that once he gets in the swing of things, that's the first area to improve.

[D.o.s.]

I'm curious as to how many of you guys have ever done higher level athletics for an entire season, over several seasons, then had relatively serious reconstructive surgery, then gone back to that same athletic activity.