Should we start Smart over Rondo?

[Celtics4ever]

Smart is NOT a PG...he is struggling to be a good 2 as it is.

He played it college.   He is a combo guard, who is a jack of all trades and a master of none, save defense.

[Donoghus]

Just saw an interesting stat from ESPN: Rondo's 20 triple-doubles are now tied with Lebron for most triple doubles since '08-09.

So, yeah, he's clearly a guy you shouldn't start.   I know the Celtics are 1-3 but Rondo is not the problem.  It's lack of talent and a supporting cast.  He's a floor leader without the horses. 

[fairweatherfan]

Just saw an interesting stat from ESPN: Rondo's 20 triple-doubles are now tied with Lebron for most triple doubles since '08-09.

Wow, and despite missing basically a full season.  Pretty impressive. 

[Cammycakes]

https://twitter.com/FantasyAlarm/status/530381719640100864  Through four games Rondo has 50 assists and 36 rebounds.

[IlCapitano]

And +10 more TD's in playoffs.

[D.o.s.]

Holy crap, Rondo's passed for 10 touchdowns in the NBA playoffs?!

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Smart is NOT a PG..

And what is that assertion based on?

WATCHING him as a player.....he isn't 1/2 as good as Rondo, pressey is also a better pg....do you understand the JOB of PG...? It isn't getting the ball and shooting or layups. Rondo is the pure PG....Smart has shown no command of the floor, doesn't set up people, or make the defense move how he wants as rondo does. Even versus Houston, they would pull out to where Rondo was......too bad only zeller cut to the hole, some Bradley also...THIS is what a powerful PG does. Maybe smart could develop into that....but he is more like Bradley, who also cannot be a pg......

I hate to say this to you, but have you ever played in a league, or anywhere.....if you did, you can see the PG skills and intuition right off...the mentality..Allen Iverson, Westbrook....they are NOT PG's...Iverson could have been.....had some of it....but he chose to not be.....

[D.o.s.]

That sort of adherence to positional description seems silly, especially in a game that changes as frequently as basketball. Smart might not be a point guard, but he's certainly a ball handler. The difference between the two is pretty arbitrary when it comes to the actual outcome of the game.

[kozlodoev]

Smart is NOT a PG..

And what is that assertion based on?

WATCHING him as a player.....he isn't 1/2 as good as Rondo, pressey is also a better pg....do you understand the JOB of PG...? It isn't getting the ball and shooting or layups. Rondo is the pure PG....Smart has shown no command of the floor, doesn't set up people, or make the defense move how he wants as rondo does. Even versus Houston, they would pull out to where Rondo was......too bad only zeller cut to the hole, some Bradley also...THIS is what a powerful PG does. Maybe smart could develop into that....but he is more like Bradley, who also cannot be a pg......

I hate to say this to you, but have you ever played in a league, or anywhere.....if you did, you can see the PG skills and intuition right off...the mentality..Allen Iverson, Westbrook....they are NOT PG's...Iverson could have been.....had some of it....but he chose to not be.....

Perhaps that would be because the Celtics have 3 other players who they have actually designated as their PGs, and Smart has played exactly 0 minutes without any of those on the floor?

Sorry, can't elaborate more, I'm running late for my league game.

[crimson_stallion]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2014/11/rajon_rondo_is_having_a_historic_start_to_the_2014-15_season.html

ESPN tweet in the article linked above:

Rajon Rondo is the 1st player since Magic Johnson in 1983 w/ at least 35 assists & 25 rebounds in his team's 1st 3 games of a season. #Elias

Typical rondo talk. Rondo getting his stats. Yet we get blown out vs the rockets and almost a 2nd one.

Yeah totally man, Rondo is garbage, useless.

Just like those other guys Lebron, Love and Irving.  They get their numbers but the Cavs have the same record we have. Clearly garbage players and should definately all be coming of the bench

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Smart is NOT a PG..

And what is that assertion based on?

WATCHING him as a player.....he isn't 1/2 as good as Rondo, pressey is also a better pg....do you understand the JOB of PG...? It isn't getting the ball and shooting or layups. Rondo is the pure PG....Smart has shown no command of the floor, doesn't set up people, or make the defense move how he wants as rondo does. Even versus Houston, they would pull out to where Rondo was......too bad only zeller cut to the hole, some Bradley also...THIS is what a powerful PG does. Maybe smart could develop into that....but he is more like Bradley, who also cannot be a pg......

I hate to say this to you, but have you ever played in a league, or anywhere.....if you did, you can see the PG skills and intuition right off...the mentality..Allen Iverson, Westbrook....they are NOT PG's...Iverson could have been.....had some of it....but he chose to not be.....

Perhaps that would be because the Celtics have 3 other players who they have actually designated as their PGs, and Smart has played exactly 0 minutes without any of those on the floor?

Sorry, can't elaborate more, I'm running late for my league game.

''

Well, MAYBE the CELTICS and the coach know a little more than you do about players skill sets then...LOL. I'm not the coach....YET.!

[slamtheking]

Just saw an interesting stat from ESPN: Rondo's 20 triple-doubles are now tied with Lebron for most triple doubles since '08-09.

Wow, and despite missing basically a full season.  Pretty impressive. 

very much so.  Lebron has more size for a rebounding advantage, more minutes per game as the primary ball handler for more scoring and passing opportunities.

just amazing how little appreciation there is for him around here

[Celtics18]

C'mon, guys.  We should all know by now that rebounds and assists are empty stats only accrued by selfish ballhogs.

Give me the kind of team player who takes twenty shots a game and doesn't do anything else on the floor. 

Because, outside shooting is really all that matters in the game of basketball.  They should do away with all this 5 on 5 team nonsense and just turn the NBA into a league of H.O.R.S.E.

[Celtics4ever]

If the whole team can pass it is not as big as an issue.   I do not think he is a pure PG and he is not a shooter presently.   He is an effort guy and what he brings is very special just not ideal but in certain situations it pays to have some hard nosed athletes out there.   Guy could he the Ray Lewis on the NBA.  Pretty obvious that he has high basketball IQ at least on defense and some on offense as well.

[TheFlex]

If you traded LeBron James off the Bench for Rondo off the Bench, which Bench would win more games?

If Dirk was traded for Rondo and named coach and Doc Rivers was traded for Stevens and named PG, would Dirk put Doc on the bench? Would Doc play better vs. non-starters?