why did Rondo come back?

[Depalma2002]

Whining about winning games, and recently Rondo's road back from injury, is my least favorite aspect of being a team in transition. It happened in the down years before the big 3, it's in full force this season.

Being ok with losing is one thing. Rooting for it in close spots with one eye on the draft, sure. But I can't get behind feeling frustrated that this team has a little heart, a competitive spirit, and our player makeup isn't quite so dysfunctional that we aren't the punching bag of the league. One of the best point guards in the NBA is back playing games and coming into form, enjoy it.

But he isn't one of the best. He's extremely overrated. That being said he's the best player on the Celtics roster and because he played with "The Big 3" he hasn't lost that luster around the league yet. What's the difference between Rondo and say someone like Mario Chalmers? He's probably top 10 at his position but Celticsblog has overrated him as this superstar game changer.

Would you prefer if I said very good? Enjoy a very good PG in the NBA returning from injury? The league has been decimated this season, we should be so lucky to have our best player coming along reasonably well.

I like watching basketball, and I enjoy Rondo's game. Always have since his first summer league stint. I enjoy it quite a bit more than Mario Chalmers, for example. More importantly he's the on court leader of this team, so yes I'm going to root for his success and health over grumbling about being overrated and ruining Ainge's master plan to hit rock bottom.

I look at Rondo and Chalmers the same. One is extremely flawed defensively but is the best clutch shooter in the NBA and the other is great defensively but will never become a great shooter. I don't understand the resistance on here for rooting for tanking. Can't people see that this is the only way the Celtics will be on top for a sustained period of time? This is the best draft in over a decade! Everyone needs to embrace losing for this year and next and know it's for the greater good.

I'll leave the reconstruction of the Celtics to someone who doesn't think Mario Chalmers = Rajon Rondo

[Donoghus]

This is certainly one of the more asinine things I've read in awhile.

If he's healthy, he should be on the court.  You can certainly ween him back given that he's coming back from an ACL injury but sitting him out a year just for the sake of bottoming out, isn't the way to go.  He needs to get back into game ready basketball shape and the only way to do that is to play in actual NBA games.  Practices & developmental league games won't do it. 

Not to mention, if he's healthy & wants to play and you're continually sitting him out, its just gonna peeve him off.  Not exactly something you want from your captain and one of the only core pieces in place on this team.

[djbilly33]

I think Rondo is over rated as well.  When you put stars like KG Ray and Paul around anyone they will look good.  The comparison to Chalmers is far fetched but then again Chalmers with Paul KG and Ray may have looked like a star too because all you need to do is pass them the ball and take risks on defense.

I am for tanking mainly because it is a great draft.  If we can land the #5 pick and comeback next year with a healthy Rondo, the draft, Green, Sully and maybe an Asik or someone else Danny can find we may have something brewing for years to come.  Obviously I am banking on that draft to be a superstar in a year or 2. 

As for Stevens he will be good with good talent.  Look at Spoelstra, I dont think he is that good but give him talent and he looks good.  Put Stevens on the Heat and he will look good.

Not sure where we go from here, I think winning games is doing nothing for us except a worse chance at a high draft pick but it is what it is. I still say we trade away most if not everyone to not have the talent to even compete.  I do think Rondo is a good role player and Green is definitely a good 3rd option.  With Sully emerging and hopefully staying consistent, a trade for a big man and a high potential draft we could see 18 soon.

[CelticG1]

There are no words for threads like these.

IM sure all philly fans were wondering why evan turner didnt just let time expire the other week instead of tryong to win the game.

Do people not realize that it would be an absolute disaster for the organization amd their players if Stevens was sitting guys like Sully for no reason other than losing or holding rondos minutes down than they need to be. It would be terrible for current players future free agents and the whole league.

i find it funny that people legitmately want to try and lose as many games as possible. I mean its one thing to hope but to actually want us to some how fhrow games is so funny. For me im just letting the chips fall where they do. We are never going to purposefully lose games and when we did have some of the worst records in the league we never got a top.pick anyway so whats the point.

At least if the draft was like the nfl i could underatand a litfle bit. But at this point i think its almost bad luck for us to have one of worst records in the league

[mnshyn]

Rondo came back because he's healthy, and he's getting paid to play.  I don't think there's really much more to it.

In my opinion, Rondo is the centerpiece with Bradley and Sullinger being core pieces.  Possibly Green, but it depends on how this new focus on getting Green more involved goes until trade deadline.

Rondo will make some believers out of you haters yet.  I stand by our new captain, and I believe Ainge and the rest of the front office do as well.

[Finkelskyhook]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

[RJ87]

It's quite clear that some people were rooting for Rondo to come back and fail, and now that he's starting to round into shape we're going to get all of these "why did Rondo come back?" / "oh, there goes our draft position" whining. The funny thing is, if he was at full-strength but mailing it in, the same exact people would be ripping him apart. It's pathetic.

Players and coaches aren't supposed to tank - they're supposed to go out and compete. Front offices tank by moving productive pieces that they don't consider important to the team's future. The minute your players start giving up is when you become this year's Cleveland Cavaliers. Excuse me if I don't want to be the laughing stock of professional basketball for the foreseeable future.

Part of the rehabilitation process is to play in live games. We can't hide him out in the d-league because other NBA owners would have a fit. So he's here, he's playing, and he's giving effort. If you have an issue with that, that sounds like you have a personal problem.

[cb8883]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

If it wasn't for tanking we wouldn't have a title in 2008. All of you anti tankers that want to keep the Celtics as a treadmill squad are lacking vision. You cannot win in the NBA without a superstar, cannot be done. That's why Indiana has no shot and the Heat win every year. OKC is always close to the top because of Durant and Westbrook (both high picks). If you want the Celtics to be stuck in 35-40 win land year after year in a terrible conference then that's your deal. Ask fans in Milwaukee how that's worked for the last decade. That's a hopeless future especially for Boston which will never be a free agent destination. You need to trade Rondo ASAP for anything. He's going to leave, that's a given. He's going to be 30 soon, that's a given. He's also going to be paid by some desperate franchise a max contract. Don't turn the Celtics into a joke like the Knicks. I don't care if they have a 30 million dollar payroll the next few years. Blow this up! Trade everyone but Sully KO and Pressey and start over.

[Donoghus]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

If it wasn't for tanking we wouldn't have a title in 2008. All of you anti tankers that want to keep the Celtics as a treadmill squad are lacking vision. You cannot win in the NBA without a superstar, cannot be done. That's why Indiana has no shot and the Heat win every year. OKC is always close to the top because of Durant and Westbrook (both high picks). If you want the Celtics to be stuck in 35-40 win land year after year in a terrible conference then that's your deal. Ask fans in Milwaukee how that's worked for the last decade. That's a hopeless future especially for Boston which will never be a free agent destination. You need to trade Rondo ASAP for anything. He's going to leave, that's a given. He's going to be 30 soon, that's a given. He's also going to be paid by some desperate franchise a max contract. Don't turn the Celtics into a joke like the Knicks. I don't care if they have a 30 million dollar payroll the next few years. Blow this up! Trade everyone but Sully KO and Pressey and start over.

If you think Indiana has no shot this year, you are sorely mistaken.

[RJ87]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

If it wasn't for tanking we wouldn't have a title in 2008. All of you anti tankers that want to keep the Celtics as a treadmill squad are lacking vision. You cannot win in the NBA without a superstar, cannot be done. That's why Indiana has no shot and the Heat win every year. OKC is always close to the top because of Durant and Westbrook (both high picks). If you want the Celtics to be stuck in 35-40 win land year after year in a terrible conference then that's your deal. Ask fans in Milwaukee how that's worked for the last decade. That's a hopeless future especially for Boston which will never be a free agent destination. You need to trade Rondo ASAP for anything. He's going to leave, that's a given. He's going to be 30 soon, that's a given. He's also going to be paid by some desperate franchise a max contract. Don't turn the Celtics into a joke like the Knicks. I don't care if they have a 30 million dollar payroll the next few years. Blow this up! Trade everyone but Sully KO and Pressey and start over.

The goal of 06-07 was to get a Oden or Durant and despite our best tanking efforts we still ended up with the #5 pick. We were fortunate that Ray & KG were available or that would've been a disaster. And do you think KG agrees to be traded here if Paul isn't here already? Not a chance. So there's merit to keeping Rondo in place, no one is going to want a trade here or to sign here to play with with KO and Phil Pressey (if you think those 2 are building blocks, you have no credibility). The draft, even with one of the worst records in the league, is not a guarantee. Luckily Ainge knows that, and I'm sure he has other contingency plans in place.

[cb8883]

It's quite clear that some people were rooting for Rondo to come back and fail, and now that he's starting to round into shape we're going to get all of these "why did Rondo come back?" / "oh, there goes our draft position" whining. The funny thing is, if he was at full-strength but mailing it in, the same exact people would be ripping him apart. It's pathetic.

Players and coaches aren't supposed to tank - they're supposed to go out and compete. Front offices tank by moving productive pieces that they don't consider important to the team's future. The minute your players start giving up is when you become this year's Cleveland Cavaliers. Excuse me if I don't want to be the laughing stock of professional basketball for the foreseeable future.

Part of the rehabilitation process is to play in live games. We can't hide him out in the d-league because other NBA owners would have a fit. So he's here, he's playing, and he's giving effort. If you have an issue with that, that sounds like you have a personal problem.

No one wants Rondo to fail. I just want people to accept the truth that without KG PP etc the guy is a glorified role player. He plays hard most of the time but he can't create his own shot. He really isn't that good! I want him to be healthy and succeed just not in Boston. Send him to a place where he will be surrounded by good players that can create shots and could benefit from a PG like Rondo.

[cb8883]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

If it wasn't for tanking we wouldn't have a title in 2008. All of you anti tankers that want to keep the Celtics as a treadmill squad are lacking vision. You cannot win in the NBA without a superstar, cannot be done. That's why Indiana has no shot and the Heat win every year. OKC is always close to the top because of Durant and Westbrook (both high picks). If you want the Celtics to be stuck in 35-40 win land year after year in a terrible conference then that's your deal. Ask fans in Milwaukee how that's worked for the last decade. That's a hopeless future especially for Boston which will never be a free agent destination. You need to trade Rondo ASAP for anything. He's going to leave, that's a given. He's going to be 30 soon, that's a given. He's also going to be paid by some desperate franchise a max contract. Don't turn the Celtics into a joke like the Knicks. I don't care if they have a 30 million dollar payroll the next few years. Blow this up! Trade everyone but Sully KO and Pressey and start over.

If you think Indiana has no shot this year, you are sorely mistaken.

They don't. Paul George can't do it by himself. I think they need to add someone (Ironically a Rondo type PG) to open it up for George and Hibbert. Heat are too strong

[cb8883]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

If it wasn't for tanking we wouldn't have a title in 2008. All of you anti tankers that want to keep the Celtics as a treadmill squad are lacking vision. You cannot win in the NBA without a superstar, cannot be done. That's why Indiana has no shot and the Heat win every year. OKC is always close to the top because of Durant and Westbrook (both high picks). If you want the Celtics to be stuck in 35-40 win land year after year in a terrible conference then that's your deal. Ask fans in Milwaukee how that's worked for the last decade. That's a hopeless future especially for Boston which will never be a free agent destination. You need to trade Rondo ASAP for anything. He's going to leave, that's a given. He's going to be 30 soon, that's a given. He's also going to be paid by some desperate franchise a max contract. Don't turn the Celtics into a joke like the Knicks. I don't care if they have a 30 million dollar payroll the next few years. Blow this up! Trade everyone but Sully KO and Pressey and start over.

The goal of 06-07 was to get a Oden or Durant and despite our best tanking efforts we still ended up with the #5 pick. We were fortunate that Ray & KG were available or that would've been a disaster. And do you think KG agrees to be traded here if Paul isn't here already? Not a chance. So there's merit to keeping Rondo in place, no one is going to want a trade here or to sign here to play with with KO and Phil Pressey (if you think those 2 are building blocks, you have no credibility). The draft, even with one of the worst records in the league, is not a guarantee. Luckily Ainge knows that, and I'm sure he has other contingency plans in place.

KO and Pressey are certainly not building blocks. They're cheap backups though that can come in and give you 20 minutes. Paul should have been traded from the go and Boston should have tanked for Rose the following year. That way you have Big Al, G-Money, Paul Pierce Assets, Rose, Perk and Rondo. Not bad at all.

Tanking is the only solution.

[Donoghus]

why are we battling to beat Philly in Philly. There is no reason to go all out in these games and risk Rondo re-injuring his knee.

How does winning this year help the Celtics? I challenge anyone that is against tanking to explain how winning this year helps the Celtics in the long run?

Boston has not attracted level 1 free agents so we are compelled to build through the draft and trades. Winning meaningless games will set this franchise back years.

Suck it up and get on the tank train.

Seriously...Have you ever bought a ticket to an NBA game?  They're freaking expensive.  Would you pay to watch a team embarrass themselves on purpose as Rivers allowed in 06-07?  Do you understand why players play? 

You don't hire a coach on a 6 year contract to promote a losing culture.  Geez, ogaju...If you want to get on the "tank train"...Go to Charlotte.  It's worked out great for them year after year.

If it wasn't for tanking we wouldn't have a title in 2008. All of you anti tankers that want to keep the Celtics as a treadmill squad are lacking vision. You cannot win in the NBA without a superstar, cannot be done. That's why Indiana has no shot and the Heat win every year. OKC is always close to the top because of Durant and Westbrook (both high picks). If you want the Celtics to be stuck in 35-40 win land year after year in a terrible conference then that's your deal. Ask fans in Milwaukee how that's worked for the last decade. That's a hopeless future especially for Boston which will never be a free agent destination. You need to trade Rondo ASAP for anything. He's going to leave, that's a given. He's going to be 30 soon, that's a given. He's also going to be paid by some desperate franchise a max contract. Don't turn the Celtics into a joke like the Knicks. I don't care if they have a 30 million dollar payroll the next few years. Blow this up! Trade everyone but Sully KO and Pressey and start over.

The goal of 06-07 was to get a Oden or Durant and despite our best tanking efforts we still ended up with the #5 pick. We were fortunate that Ray & KG were available or that would've been a disaster. And do you think KG agrees to be traded here if Paul isn't here already? Not a chance. So there's merit to keeping Rondo in place, no one is going to want a trade here or to sign here to play with with KO and Phil Pressey (if you think those 2 are building blocks, you have no credibility). The draft, even with one of the worst records in the league, is not a guarantee. Luckily Ainge knows that, and I'm sure he has other contingency plans in place.

KO and Pressey are certainly not building blocks. They're cheap backups though that can come in and give you 20 minutes. Paul should have been traded from the go and Boston should have tanked for Rose the following year. That way you have Big Al, G-Money, Paul Pierce Assets, Rose, Perk and Rondo. Not bad at all.

Tanking is the only solution.

And then you don't have a title in '08 and you're probably still chasing your first since '86.   What the heck are Rose & Rondo going to do together?

[Fafnir]

The idea that Rondo isn't a shot creator is a really strange one. That's the biggest part of his game!

He's not a scorer by nature.