Rondo & Jeff starting to figure out how to play together?

[RJ87]

Let me preface this by saying I don't have a bunch of advanced to back this up and data may show otherwise, but I it seems as if Jeff and Rondo are clicking A LOT more lately. I've seen written in a number of posts that those two can't seem to play well together because they both need the ball in their hands - but they seem to be thriving over the past few games playing with one another.

Based on my eye test, Rondo really tries to get Jeff going early and that gets him in an aggressive mindset for the rest of the game. I've also seen Jeff channeling the spirit of vintage-Avery Bradley and moving more off the ball & cutting to the rim. They've even linked up for a few eye-contact-leading-to-alley-oops plays - which used to be a Rondo/KG staple.

Trying not to get ahead of myself as we've seen spurts of great play from Jeff in the past just for him to revert. But if these two are really building a solid chemistry, how does that change the outlook of the team for the future?

[Kane3387]

I think it means we have two out of the four core players to be a contender. Sully might be able to be that third guy. None are in my opinion that number one guy but they can be your 2-4. This assumes sully continues to improve.

It also means Ainge might be more willing to push all his Chips forward on the table to acquire a number one if he becomes available.

[kozlodoev]

I think it means we have two out of the four core players to be a contender.

There's no such thing as "four core players". Contending teams typically have (up to) 2 core players -- an offensive and a defensive playmaker. Occasionally, the two are rolled into one. The rest is usually complementary (i.e. replaceable) pieces of various quality.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we have either of the core players we need.

[LarBrd33]

There was a long stretch where those two guys never played well at the same time.  That's changed.  They've had a handful of games where they have both played pretty well.

[ManUp]

Hopefully it makes Green more trade-able in the future. I'm convinced Jeff Green is a sixth man disguised as a starter. Simply put, your not winning anything with Jeff Green as a "core" player. His only real skill is scoring and he doesn't do that consistently enough.

[BballTim]

I think it means we have two out of the four core players to be a contender.

There's no such thing as "four core players". Contending teams typically have (up to) 2 core players -- an offensive and a defensive playmaker. Occasionally, the two are rolled into one. The rest is usually complementary (i.e. replaceable) pieces of various quality.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we have either of the core players we need.

  I don't think that team makeup is very typical for contenders unless you're starting with the idea of how contending teams are built and trying to fit the players into the model. Not to mention deciding what level of player is a core player is arbitrary.

[BballTim]

There was a long stretch where those two guys never played well at the same time.  That's changed.  They've had a handful of games where they have both played pretty well.

  Rondo's only had a dozen or so games when he's been playing relatively well. There hasn't been time for long stretches of anything.

[Kane3387]

I think it means we have two out of the four core players to be a contender.

There's no such thing as "four core players". Contending teams typically have (up to) 2 core players -- an offensive and a defensive playmaker. Occasionally, the two are rolled into one. The rest is usually complementary (i.e. replaceable) pieces of various quality.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we have either of the core players we need.

I see your point to an extent. You basically describe the Kobe shaq lakers.

My point was that I feel if Jeff green or sullinger are on your team then they have to be your third and fourth guys at most. If either is your second best player then you probably won't win a title. Of course it depends then on how talented your top guys are. They can't be deng and Noah. But I think they could be rondo as your second and a player on a superior level then rondo as your first.

[LarBrd33]

There was a long stretch where those two guys never played well at the same time.  That's changed.  They've had a handful of games where they have both played pretty well.

  Rondo's only had a dozen or so games when he's been playing relatively well. There hasn't been time for long stretches of anything.

Jeff Green was on the Celtics last year too.  Remember that?  They played close to 40 games together.

[BballTim]

There was a long stretch where those two guys never played well at the same time.  That's changed.  They've had a handful of games where they have both played pretty well.

  Rondo's only had a dozen or so games when he's been playing relatively well. There hasn't been time for long stretches of anything.

Jeff Green was on the Celtics last year too.  Remember that?  They played close to 40 games together.

  I remember that, do you? Green was coming back from a year off and heart surgery. He started off playing poorly and his play improved as the year progressed. The improvement started well before Rondo's injury.

[timobusa]

I think it means we have two out of the four core players to be a contender.

There's no such thing as "four core players". Contending teams typically have (up to) 2 core players -- an offensive and a defensive playmaker. Occasionally, the two are rolled into one. The rest is usually complementary (i.e. replaceable) pieces of various quality.

Unfortunately, I don't believe we have either of the core players we need.

Timmy Tony and Manu would disagree.
Maybe not 4, but 3 is the magic number.
But I think OP was saying that "core 4" meaning like the Udonis Haslem of the heat, or the Rajon Rondo in 2007/08 big 3 or the Robert Horry of the Shaq Kobe Fisher era.

The x factor, as some people will put it.

I think you're just disagreeing just to disagree.
But oh well. That's your style.

[D.o.s.]

What constitutes a worthwhile sample size?

[SHAQATTACK]

I m thinking it is a Rondo thing , more than a Green and Rondo deal

Rondo is starting really to learn his teammates under a NEW coach ,  with more flexibility .  It wasn't the same under Doc.....Greens role was different ..it all was different with PP and KG and Doc.

Rondo is figuring it out.....who does what , when , where and how the best .

Rondo puts the ball into Greens hands at the right times now .  Break the defense down and a just the right moment  make a play or put someone like Green in his best position to attack.

Romdo,is,like a fighter pilot at the controls using his weapons as he breaks the opponent down.

Beautiful thing really

[Tr1boy]

Three core players is the norm these days to win a ring imo.  One preferably has to be a c or pf and the other a sg or pg.

When you have three core guys, all three can start, then substitute out at different times of the game so that at least one and ideally two are always on the court at the same time. This way you are constantly pressing on the gas peddle

 We are a core center or pf away to get to the next level. A player that can especially block shots/rebound and also get you 18 pts a game.

[clover]

I think it's more just a matter of Green not having the Big Three or, more recently, Bradley soaking up so many shots.

Green's not really been particularly efficient through this stretch.