Chris Forsberg on Rondo's defense

[Eddie20]

The pro-Rondo and anti-Rondo camps usually find common ground on his passing, shooting, and incapability of being a go to scorer. However, defense has been a constant debate. Some see his penchant for allowing dribble penetration and trying to poke for steals as his man goes by. Others, cite his all defense nominations as proof that he's a great defender.

Chris Forsberg had interesting article that spoke about all things Rondo, but I was especially interested in this:

Boston's continued lack of a true rim protector has only highlighted Rondo's struggles on the perimeter. Back when Kevin Garnett was patrolling the back line, it gave Rondo the sort of flexibility that led to him (twice!) landing on the league's all-defense teams.

The Celtics have helped mask Rondo's struggles to keep guards in front of him by putting Avery Bradley on opposing ball handlers but, especially as Marcus Smart rehabs from an ankle injury, Rondo has had to defend the ball at times, particularly in sub lineups. Rondo has struggled at times to get over screens, and Boston simply doesn't have the backline personnel to compensate when guards get into the paint.

Rondo can be a real pest when he's allowed to float a bit, but he's struggled as a 1-on-1 defender. The league's player-tracking data shows that opponents are shooting 53.3 percent against Rondo this season, 7.6 percent higher than those players' season average. What's more, his opponents are shooting 74.2 percent inside of 6 feet, or 10.7 percent above their overall average.

Boston's defensive woes are not limited to Rondo, and the Celtics must develop better continuity as a team, particularly because there's such an obvious correlation between the team's ability to generate offensive opportunities after stops as opposed to the stagnation it experiences when teams score.

Recognizing the inexperience behind him, Rondo must elevate his game as part of the first line of defense.

Full read:

http://espn.go.com/boston/nba/story/_/id/11965266/rajon-rondo-season-up-start

[D.o.s.]

Asking people to read Forsberg articles is a war crime in certain countries.

[Greenback]

Its obvious and widely acknowledged, Rondo is a "Matador" defender - he moves his cape when the opponent goes by him.

[PickNRoll]

I guess I'd say his defense is average these days.  Has all the tools to be great but seems to be more interested in triple doubles than wins.

[chambers]

He has a good point.
Rondo's always had the luxury of gambling on defense with KG and/or Perkins/Shaq etc awaiting any guards that come into the paint. He needs a rim protector behind him.

Good for Forsberg for bringing this up.
That being said, we are the WORST team in the NBA at defending the paint, so you could argue that opponents only being 7% better than average against Rondo is a complement.
We are disgusting at defending the pick and roll which teams will continue to exploit with our poor inside D and will only make Rondo's defensive numbers look worse.

I wonder what his numbers were when KG was off the floor from 2009-2012?

[D.o.s.]

http://stats.nba.com/league/lineups/#!/?Season=2009-10&VsConference=East&CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*BOS

There you go.

edit: you need to add *E*BOS to the end of that url for it to work. Also, I didn't do any real legwork, just gave you the tools.

double edit: and this:
http://stats.nba.com/league/lineups/#!/opponent/?CF=TEAM_ABBREVIATION*E*BOS&Season=2009-10

[inverselock]

For comparison the tracking defence data for other point gaurds.  Not sure how much this data is affected by being on a bad team.    Included D Williams and T Lawson,  couple of decent pg's on average teams.

Smart's data is off the charts.  Small sample size,  ha.

Chris Paul
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/101108/tracking/defense/

Steph Curry
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/201939/tracking/defense/

Rondo
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/200765/tracking/defense/

John Wall
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202322/tracking/defense/

Lowry
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/200768/tracking/defense/

D Williams
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/101114/tracking/defense/

T Parker
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/2225/tracking/defense/

T Lawson
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/201951/tracking/defense/

M Smart
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/203935/tracking/defense/

[GratefulCs]

Maybe this is a cop out, but in his first full year back from injury, and in a contract year, he shouldn't push it. Maybe if this was a playoff caliber team he would put in more effort on D

We all know he turns it up when it matters

I know, I know.... All the games matter

But if I was in his shoes,I wouldn't push it either.  Too much money on the line

[PickNRoll]

For comparison the tracking defence data for other point gaurds.  Not sure how much this data is affected by being on a bad team.    Included D Williams and T Lawson,  couple of decent pg's on average teams.

Smart's data is off the charts.  Small sample size,  ha.

Chris Paul
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/101108/tracking/defense/

Steph Curry
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/201939/tracking/defense/

Rondo
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/200765/tracking/defense/

John Wall
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/202322/tracking/defense/

Lowry
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/200768/tracking/defense/

D Williams
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/101114/tracking/defense/

T Parker
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/2225/tracking/defense/

T Lawson
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/201951/tracking/defense/

M Smart
http://stats.nba.com/player/#!/203935/tracking/defense/

You can get used to that with Smart.  Best defender I've seen coming out of college for as far back as I can remember.  Man I hope he stays healthy.  He's so quick and strong, I hope he doesn't put too much strain on those knees and ankles.  I better stop now before I jinx something.

[Eddie20]

I have a problem investing heavy money on a soon to be 29 year-old. If he's allowing dribble penetration now, what will he look at on a 5 year deal between the ages of 29-34?

[GratefulCs]

I have a problem investing heavy money on a soon to be 29 year-old. If he's allowing dribble penetration now, what will he look at on a 5 year deal between the ages of 29-34?

TP

I love rondo, but toward the end of his next contract, how good will he still be? 

Maybe like a better prime Andre Miller (whom I love)

[Chief]

I got an idea, put a shot blocker behind him.

[LarBrd33]

I have a problem investing heavy money on a soon to be 29 year-old. If he's allowing dribble penetration now, what will he look at on a 5 year deal between the ages of 29-34?

I really think the most likely scenario at this point is he leaves in free agency and we get nothing in return other than cap space.

[LooseCannon]

Rondo does better in a system where he is allowed to gamble (and I think he is a smart gambler rather than a lazy gambler).  In the short term, that is a problem, but it is only a definite long-term problem if the plan is to keep Rondo but not upgrade the rim/paint protection behind him.

[KGs Knee]

I have a problem investing heavy money on a soon to be 29 year-old. If he's allowing dribble penetration now, what will he look at on a 5 year deal between the ages of 29-34?

I really think the most likely scenario at this point is he leaves in free agency and we get nothing in return other than cap space.

And when he re-signs with the Celtics the next most likely scenario will be that he is traded for pennies on the dollar, right?