Bill Simmons on Rondo

[LarBrd33]

Here’s the problem with trading Rondo — he’s never re-signing in Sacramento, Detroit, Milwaukee, Cleveland or wherever. None of those teams are overpaying to rent Rondo for a year. Boston’s best chance on decent value: If Houston flames out in Round 1, maybe send Rondo there for Jeremy Lin’s expiring deal, Chandler Parsons and Houston’s first-rounder. I can’t see them doing better, especially with how Rondo has looked lately — he’s been their best tanking asset down the stretch, hands down. Nobody else comes close. s*&*y attitude, sloppy ballhandling, horrific defense, inexplicable decision-making, ugly shooting … he’s doing it all. Down the stretch, it’s like he studied tape of the game Tony threw in Blue Chips, then said, “I’m gonna throw in Brandon Jennings’s shot selection for good measure.” If we get the no. 1 pick, they should retire Rondo’s number next October.

http://grantland.com/features/nba-mailbag-this-is-the-end/

[Moranis]

I still think the Lakers might be interested in trading their first for Rondo (obviously if they don't end up in the top 3).  Rondo + Kobe + cap space for one more player and the Lakers would be in pretty good shape.  Plus, given how much they paid Kobe, I can't see them rebuilding one more year. 

[hpantazo]

Simmons is right, and this is why Rondo is staying here next year and likely beyond that.

[LarBrd33]

I know there are a few fans who think Boston has been showcasing Rondo for a draft day deal.  I don't see that happening.  I think he's here at least one more season.

But i do understand why people think that.  Stevens is all about a ball-sharing offense.  Rondo was supposed to adapt to the style... but instead, he's leading the entire league in how often he holds the ball.  It's great for getting lots of stats, but also great for helping us bottom out.  Maybe it's just a temporary thing and maybe they'll ask him to adapt next season when we are actually trying to win.   Or maybe they are just letting Rondo do whatever he wants in order to keep his stats inflated for a draft day deal. 

[Tr1boy]

Tommy first and now simmons. Great

[chambers]

I know there are a few fans who think Boston has been showcasing Rondo for a draft day deal.  I don't see that happening.  I think he's here at least one more season.

But i do understand why people think that.  Stevens is all about a ball-sharing offense.  Rondo was supposed to adapt to the style... but instead, he's leading the entire league in how often he holds the ball.  It's great for getting lots of stats, but also great for helping us bottom out.  Maybe it's just a temporary thing and maybe they'll ask him to adapt next season when we are actually trying to win.   Or maybe they are just letting Rondo do whatever he wants in order to keep his stats inflated for a draft day deal.

You change your stance on Rondo like your underwear seriously lol..
But has anyone engaged the thought that Rondo might be steering the tank at this point? If he wants to be a Celtic forever then he may understand the importance of draft position.
He could be figuring that himself, Sully, draft pick and another All star is the best path to a successful Celtics team by 2017/18.
Who knows but it makes sense...

[colincb]

I know there are a few fans who think Boston has been showcasing Rondo for a draft day deal.  I don't see that happening.  I think he's here at least one more season.

But i do understand why people think that.  Stevens is all about a ball-sharing offense.  Rondo was supposed to adapt to the style... but instead, he's leading the entire league in how often he holds the ball.  It's great for getting lots of stats, but also great for helping us bottom out.  Maybe it's just a temporary thing and maybe they'll ask him to adapt next season when we are actually trying to win.   Or maybe they are just letting Rondo do whatever he wants in order to keep his stats inflated for a draft day deal.

You change your stance on Rondo like your underwear seriously lol..
But has anyone engaged the thought that Rondo might be steering the tank at this point? If he wants to be a Celtic forever then he may understand the importance of draft position.
He could be figuring that himself, Sully, draft pick and another All star is the best path to a successful Celtics team by 2017/18.
Who knows but it makes sense...

Rondo's not steering the tank. Rondo is THE Tank Commander.

Any commentary to the contrary by Stevens, Ainge, and Tommy is pure BS.  Everyone's on the same page as Rondo and if there has to be some Kabuki theatre to the proceedings so be it.  The last game was the tell. When ORL wrapped up the win, the balls starting sailing all over the place as if on cue.

Of course tijme may prove me wrong, but there was a rank odor attached to the way the last game went at the end that had all the earmarks of a tank.

[LarBrd33]

I know there are a few fans who think Boston has been showcasing Rondo for a draft day deal.  I don't see that happening.  I think he's here at least one more season.

But i do understand why people think that.  Stevens is all about a ball-sharing offense.  Rondo was supposed to adapt to the style... but instead, he's leading the entire league in how often he holds the ball.  It's great for getting lots of stats, but also great for helping us bottom out.  Maybe it's just a temporary thing and maybe they'll ask him to adapt next season when we are actually trying to win.   Or maybe they are just letting Rondo do whatever he wants in order to keep his stats inflated for a draft day deal.

You change your stance on Rondo like your underwear seriously lol..
But has anyone engaged the thought that Rondo might be steering the tank at this point? If he wants to be a Celtic forever then he may understand the importance of draft position.
He could be figuring that himself, Sully, draft pick and another All star is the best path to a successful Celtics team by 2017/18.
Who knows but it makes sense...

Sure.  Losing now definitely helps Rondo.  First of all, letting him run the show helps him inflate his stats and attract teams for his next contract... also lets him get back to 100% without the restrictions of having to "fit in", "adapt" and "win basketball games".   Alternatively, it provides him the best shot at having quality teammates here in Boston next season if Ainge decides to keep him.  Either way, allowing Rondo to have complete control, inflate those numbers and rack up the losses in the process seems like a win/win for Rondo.

It will be very interesting to see how Rondo plays next season either here or elsewhere assuming he'll be sharing the court with some ball-dominating scorer or two.

[satch]

Unfortunately Bill is correct.

[perks-a-beast]

Not on board with Bills Lin and Parsons for Rondo idea. Now, Rondo for Asik and Jones..i'd be all for that (as long as we draft a point guard, hopefully Marcus Smart.)

[footey]

What about Rondo for Westbrook?  Throw in a pick to even things out.  Or a three way trade in which Rondo goes to a contender (and extends his contract) and we get Kyle Irving?  I think there are multiple scenarios where we could get good value for Rondo.  The extra draft picks makes it easier.

[Vox_Populi]

but instead, he's leading the entire league in how often he holds the ball. 

Last I checked, this was John Wall. And that Simmons comment is full of his usual exaggerations. I mean, "sloppy ball handling," Rondo's usage is about the same as last year but his TOV% and TOs per game are lower than last year. Although, he's right about the defense. Rondo has been intangible.

And to the poster above, OKC would not trade Westbrook for Rondo in the past, I doubt they'd do it now.

[green147]

Simmons also, "guaranteed" that Rondo wouldn't play more than 20 games this year and that he was certain to be traded by the deadline (he's played 29 games). I love Grantland and like his writing generally, but when it comes to the Celtics he seems like he's just regurgitating whatever Jalen and all the other-NBA players say to him and reciting it as new.

[LarBrd33]

but instead, he's leading the entire league in how often he holds the ball. 

Last I checked, this was John Wall. And that Simmons comment is full of his usual exaggerations. I mean, "sloppy ball handling," Rondo's usage is about the same as last year but his TOV% and TOs per game are lower than last year. Although, he's right about the defense. Rondo has been intangible.

And to the poster above, OKC would not trade Westbrook for Rondo in the past, I doubt they'd do it now.

Is it Wall?  I didn't bother checking for myself.  Here's an article from a couple days ago on CelticsBlog:

Rondo possesses the ball 7.6 minutes per game, according to Sport VU; but he is in control of the ball 22.9 percent of the time he is on the court, which leads the NBA and is the root of the problem late in games.

Rondo simply has the ball in his hands too often. During the fourth quarter, he has fallen into his old habits of walking the ball up the court and not initiating the offense earlier in the shot clock.

[BballTim]

It will be very interesting to see how Rondo plays next season either here or elsewhere assuming he'll be sharing the court with some ball-dominating scorer or two.

  I'd guess the same way it looked for years when he shared the court with PP. He's been in the league for 8 years yet a surprising number of Celtics fans have no idea what he'll be like from year to year.