Rondo's Comments After the GS Game

[bobbyv]

Definitely blown out of proportion. Rondo may have just meant to say he doesn't think it's good enough after the blowout loss.

[Lucky17]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

If media relations = professionalism, then Gregg Popovich is a hack.

[Mr October]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

http://mediacentral.nba.com

The big ones:
 Practices must be open to reporters, either at the beginning or end, for 15 minutes, down from 30.

• Locker rooms will be open before games for 30 minutes, down from 45. However, both coaches will speak before that window begins. Most coaches previously spoke during the 45-minute window.

• Players must be available within 45 minutes after a game ends.


Being difficult about it is lame (there are exceptions to that, though. 'Both teams played hard' is gold). The people covering the game are there doing a job. The people playing in the game are mandated to make themselves available to the media, otherwise they get fined. It can be as painless as you make it - although the routine questions definitely wear on all parties involved. Sack up and answer the questions or take the fine, but the holier-than-thou bit is super annoying.

He still answers the questions though. I don't see the big deal.

Other teams have real controversial, unprofessional stuff going on in the past. Not much to see here, especially in a tank year where everyone is embarrassed and frustrated.

[BleedGreen1989]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

If media relations = professionalism, then Gregg Popovich is a hack.

Add Bill Belichek and Marshaun Lynch to that list as well.

This thread is just trying to stir the pot in an otherwise dreadful season. Much ado about nothing IMO.

[D.o.s.]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

http://mediacentral.nba.com

The big ones:
 Practices must be open to reporters, either at the beginning or end, for 15 minutes, down from 30.

• Locker rooms will be open before games for 30 minutes, down from 45. However, both coaches will speak before that window begins. Most coaches previously spoke during the 45-minute window.

• Players must be available within 45 minutes after a game ends.


Being difficult about it is lame (there are exceptions to that, though. 'Both teams played hard' is gold). The people covering the game are there doing a job. The people playing in the game are mandated to make themselves available to the media, otherwise they get fined. It can be as painless as you make it - although the routine questions definitely wear on all parties involved. Sack up and answer the questions or take the fine, but the holier-than-thou bit is super annoying.

He still answers the questions though. I don't see the big deal.

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

If media relations = professionalism, then Gregg Popovich is a hack.

Add Bill Belichek and Marshaun Lynch to that list as well.

This thread is just trying to stir the pot in an otherwise dreadful season. Much ado about nothing IMO.

Unlike Birthday-Gate, this actually makes people's lives, and jobs, more difficult. It's actively aggravating the people who you are required, per your profession, to engage with. That's almost the definition of unprofessional behavior:

per dictionary.com:
'at variance with or contrary to professional standards or ethics; not befitting members of a profession, as language, behavior, or conduct.'

That goes for Rondo, it goes for Pop, it goes for Marshawn, too. And I enjoy those guys as personalities, players, and presences, but it's the reality of the situation.

[D.o.s.]

and, again, I don't think his GS comments were worth a thread; and I don't think him skipping on Sacramento was a big deal; and I don't think we should trade him for nickels on the dollar; and I don't think he's the best Celtic since sliced bread.

Did I miss anything?

[Roy H.]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

Yeah, I basically agree. 

I do wonder, though, if Rondo was the right guy to name captain.  One of a captain's responsibilities is being the face of the franchise, and handling the media.

Rondo is easily the best player on the team, but between the media stuff, the clashes with coaches and teammates in the past, etc., I think the team should have kept the captaincy vacant.

[Enzzo]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

Yeah, I basically agree. 

I do wonder, though, if Rondo was the right guy to name captain.  One of a captain's responsibilities is being the face of the franchise, and handling the media.

Rondo is easily the best player on the team, but between the media stuff, the clashes with coaches and teammates in the past, etc., I think the team should have kept the captaincy vacant.

But, with the celtics rebuilding around Rondo don't you think it would irk him if they were to name a new player as captain. When not only has he been there since '07, but he was the main building block for the team?

I actually agree with you, but I think they did it for that reason. They want to keep him happy.

[crimson_stallion]

a captain should not contradict his coach in the press about anything related to the team, no matter how he feels. this just sends the wrong message, no matter the intent. and given Rondo's smarts, it was probably intentional.

Yes, because you you need to sell your soul to earn a captain badge and one you have it you lose all privileges to speak, look, walk or think without first asking your coach for approval.

Basically being a captain says nothing about your ability as a leader - it just means you are officially a human puppet.     

Now, back to reality...

[mmmmm]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

You could probably say the same "zero use for the media" thing about Greg Popovich. No?

And a certain football coach over in Foxboro comes to mind ...

[mmmmm]

I think it was Ryan Hadfield who wrote that Rondo has zero use for the media.

I wouldn't exactly disagree with that comment.

I think that's a much bigger knock on his professionalism than skipping the Sacramento game, actually.

I don't think its necessarily a knock on Rondo's professionalism at all.  It's just that Rondo doesn't care for the media and its pretty evident.  He speaks in front of them because he has to, not that he necessarily wants to.  (Although, I'm not exactly clear on what the rules are governing player/media relations in the NBA, so I could actually be wrong there).

There's been plenty of professional athletes that just don't give a [dang] about the media or simply despise them.

I don't think that's a knock on their professionalism.  Just a part of their character.

Yeah, I basically agree. 

I do wonder, though, if Rondo was the right guy to name captain.  One of a captain's responsibilities is being the face of the franchise, and handling the media.

Rondo is easily the best player on the team, but between the media stuff, the clashes with coaches and teammates in the past, etc., I think the team should have kept the captaincy vacant.

Except ... doesn't that pretty much describe Paul's situation way back when as well?

Ultimately, being a team captain is about how the _team_ sees you, not the fans or media.   And a young team can definitely benefit from internal leadership.   There seems to be pretty strong indication that the players follow Rondo's lead naturally.

Interestingly, I believe both Wallace and Green were captains at their prior teams.

[kozlodoev]

Except ... doesn't that pretty much describe Paul's situation way back when as well?

While Pierce had his moments, he was considerably less antagonizing with the media, and less abrasive in general.

Ultimately, being a team captain is about how the _team_ sees you, not the fans or media.   And a young team can definitely benefit from internal leadership.   There seems to be pretty strong indication that the players follow Rondo's lead naturally.

No, ultimately it's about whose model of behavior you like your young team to follow.

For example, even if the team wanted to follow Josh Beckett's lead and all, I wouldn't exactly want that... especially after his statement that baseball just isn't that important for him anymore, and his general demeanor and performance on the mound.

[Neurotic Guy]

We have no idea -- NONE -- about Rondo's relationship Danny, Brad, or his teammates.  We pick up tidbits of information and some (actually not many) like to assert that comments or reported misbehaviors tell us the story of the personalities and relationships.  Most relationships are complex -- Bird-McHale's relationship was very complex.  All close relationships deal with ups and downs and emotion and conflict.  We should EXPECT that occasionally all teams have bad moments. We also should know that co-workerd don't have to be great friends to be functional as a team. 
Rondo's leadership is a work in progress, and most leaders aren't perfect leaders.  Bird wasn't.  Pierce wasn't.  It is possible that Rondo's teammates (and Danny/Brad) have high regard and respect for Rajon even though sometimes they might be exasperated by him.  The bottom line is -- we know less than 1/100th of 1% of what goes on between and among these people.  Not worth it to speculate based such a dearth of data.

[mmmmm]

Except ... doesn't that pretty much describe Paul's situation way back when as well?

While Pierce had his moments, he was considerably less antagonizing with the media, and less abrasive in general.

Ultimately, being a team captain is about how the _team_ sees you, not the fans or media.   And a young team can definitely benefit from internal leadership.   There seems to be pretty strong indication that the players follow Rondo's lead naturally.

No, ultimately it's about whose model of behavior you like your young team to follow.

Let me clarify, my use of the word _team_ here would include the coach & staff, not just the players.

And no, you can't just pick someone and expect players to follow just because you picked them.  A leader isn't so just because he is a perfect model of what you might want.

Certainly an organization would not want to pick the pied piper who will lead his players over the cliff.   But I doubt the Celtics see Rondo as that at all.

I think the organization probably knows Rondo pretty darn well.  A hell of a lot better than fans & media know him.

For example, even if Josh Beckett was seen as a nice locker room guy and all, I wouldn't exactly want the team to mimic him... especially after he pretty much flat out stated that baseball just isn't that important for him anymore.

I don't remember the Red Sox ever ripping that "C" off Jason Varitek's chest and stitching it onto Beckett's uniform.   So I'm not really sure how that's really relevant other than for shock value ("Oooh!  I remember that nasty ol' beer-drinkin', chicken-eating Beckett!").

Are you saying that you think that Rondo & Beckett are comparable personalities?  How well do you know these fellows?

[D.o.s.]

Except ... doesn't that pretty much describe Paul's situation way back when as well?

While Pierce had his moments, he was considerably less antagonizing with the media, and less abrasive in general.

Ultimately, being a team captain is about how the _team_ sees you, not the fans or media.   And a young team can definitely benefit from internal leadership.   There seems to be pretty strong indication that the players follow Rondo's lead naturally.

No, ultimately it's about whose model of behavior you like your young team to follow.

For example, even if the team wanted to follow Josh Beckett's lead and all, I wouldn't exactly want that... especially after his statement that baseball just isn't that important for him anymore, and his general demeanor and performance on the mound.

Whether a player cares about a sport is significantly less important to me as a fan than their ability to play it.