Blakely: Will controversy erupt over Stevens' Smart-for-Rondo switch?

[timobusa]

You know what's funny? Sunday, Rondo posted a triple double against Washington in a win = Ho hum.

Monday night, Marcus Smart posts an impressive stat line in a loss against the same team = OMGah! Smart is the future. Rondo sucks. Trade everyone!

Can't we pump the brakes a little? Did Marcus play terrific? Yes, he did. Has he earned the keys to the car already? Considering going into last night's game, he was shooting 29% from the field, I'm gonna say not just yet. Why not allow the kid the opportunity to develop his game further. See if his shooting really sticks. And in the meantime, see if he can play alongside Rondo.

Nailed it. TP

[fairweatherfan]

TONIGHT!  Do mysteries exist?  Some say maybe.  Others aren't so sure...

[Tr1boy]

First, I think it's unrealistic to think that Smart will consistently outplay Rondo for several games.

Second, I'm still a believer in loyalty.  You don't bench a guy like Rondo just to play the "hot hand".

Third, there's no way Rondo comes back to Boston if he's benched.  Stevens would be essentially showing him the door, while tanking his trade value at the same time.

It's not happening.  Blakely just needed something to write about.

Ditto.  Will controversy erupt over Stevens' Smart-for-Rondo switch? - it will as soon as I publish this article .  You know, Bradley didn't play much, either, and if Stevens is going to bench anyone or make changes to the starting lineup, I want to see Rondo and Smart play together.  Who knows, maybe this has the potential to be like what happened in Detroit when they drafted Dumars.  Later on that season, Daly put John Long on the bench and inserted Joe into the starting lineup, and the rest was history.  I'm not comparing any of our guys to Isiah or Joe, I'm just comparing the circumstances, as well as the changes in playing time and the starting lineup.

Smart and Rondo combo has not worked and imo it has little chance to work in general. Rondo is better suited to play beside a pure shooter like Ray Allen and while AB is not considered a deadly shooter, he runs around and is able to free himself like one.  When he is on, he is good.

MS from what i've seen , shoots better after having the ball in his hands. He is not much of a  catch and shooter, not right now anyways (or may never be)

In addition if Smart and Rondo pair up and Smart has to do the dirty work and guard the opposing teams pg ,  like he did with Wall last night, who is Rondo going to guard?  A 6'7 Klay Thompson?  6'4 Bradley Beal? 6'5 etc.

[Beat LA]

TONIGHT!  Do mysteries exist?  Some say maybe.  Others aren't so sure...

Are you the narrator on the curse of oak island (sarcasm), lol?

[Tr1boy]

The bottom line is, I can only see Smart gaining more confidence, getting better and better.  Unfortunately for Rondo its also thanks to him, bc he is teaching him how to view the game.

We really don't know what is Danny's plan A, B, C when he got smart. I'm sure there is a secret flowchart somewhere.  But i can't see him have both Smart and Rondo as the teams starting pg for the next 2-3 years.  IF smart looked completely lost, couldn't even defend, the decision would be easier (try to keep Rondo). But Smart has made a bigger impact than most ppl have expected.   Like someone else has said already, when he is dialed in, the other guys are also able to raise their games also.  It's like the KG effect

[RJ87]

First, I think it's unrealistic to think that Smart will consistently outplay Rondo for several games.

Second, I'm still a believer in loyalty.  You don't bench a guy like Rondo just to play the "hot hand".

Third, there's no way Rondo comes back to Boston if he's benched.  Stevens would be essentially showing him the door, while tanking his trade value at the same time.

It's not happening.  Blakely just needed something to write about.

Ditto.  Will controversy erupt over Stevens' Smart-for-Rondo switch? - it will as soon as I publish this article .  You know, Bradley didn't play much, either, and if Stevens is going to bench anyone or make changes to the starting lineup, I want to see Rondo and Smart play together.  Who knows, maybe this has the potential to be like what happened in Detroit when they drafted Dumars.  Later on that season, Daly put John Long on the bench and inserted Joe into the starting lineup, and the rest was history.  I'm not comparing any of our guys to Isiah or Joe, I'm just comparing the circumstances, as well as the changes in playing time and the starting lineup.

Smart and Rondo combo has not worked and imo it has little chance to work in general. Rondo is better suited to play beside a pure shooter like Ray Allen and while AB is not considered a deadly shooter, he runs around and is able to free himself like one.  When he is on, he is good.

MS from what i've seen , shoots better after having the ball in his hands. He is not much of a  catch and shooter, not right now anyways (or may never be)

In addition if Smart and Rondo pair up and Smart has to do the dirty work and guard the opposing teams pg ,  like he did with Wall last night, who is Rondo going to guard?  A 6'7 Klay Thompson?  6'4 Bradley Beal? 6'5 etc.

1.) Rondo and Smart haven't played together enough to say it can't happen.  They looked pretty good together in that Dallas game.

2.) The Rondo/Bradley duo is at it's best when AB is cutting to the basket. Its not all about sharpshooting. You've proclaimed you prefer the Smart/ET backcourt - neither of those guys are known 3-pt shooters.

3.) Rondo guards the SG's mostly when he's playing with AB. Why can't he do that with Smart?

[wahz]

Hopefully Smart learns how important shooting free throws is from someone other than Rajon.

I have watched the NBA for 45 years and can't think of anyone who would have improved themselves more than Rajon, if he could only shoot ft's.

A solid ft shooting Rajon is the best player in the league: imagine him driving the lane time after time and getting the calls while sometimes dishing passes out as needed.

Vs the reality of not wanting to take it aggressively to the hoop knowing your best option is not at the line and all that comes with that.

Let me put it this way: A Rondo who is a 90% ft shooter wins the mvp right now, as he drives relentlessly and gets ft's or dishes passes for threes. He is CP3 with far better passing and rebounding instincts.

[Kuberski33]

1.) Rondo and Smart haven't played together enough to say it can't happen.  They looked pretty good together in that Dallas game.

2.) The Rondo/Bradley duo is at it's best when AB is cutting to the basket. Its not all about sharpshooting. You've proclaimed you prefer the Smart/ET backcourt - neither of those guys are known 3-pt shooters.

3.) Rondo guards the SG's mostly when he's playing with AB. Why can't he do that with Smart?

I wouldn't necessarily conclude that a Rondo/Smart backcourt couldn't work - but I don't think it works with Rondo making anything approaching a max contract - which is apparently what he's going to be looking for.

[BballTim]

First, I think it's unrealistic to think that Smart will consistently outplay Rondo for several games.

Second, I'm still a believer in loyalty.  You don't bench a guy like Rondo just to play the "hot hand".

Third, there's no way Rondo comes back to Boston if he's benched.  Stevens would be essentially showing him the door, while tanking his trade value at the same time.

It's not happening.  Blakely just needed something to write about.

Ditto.  Will controversy erupt over Stevens' Smart-for-Rondo switch? - it will as soon as I publish this article .  You know, Bradley didn't play much, either, and if Stevens is going to bench anyone or make changes to the starting lineup, I want to see Rondo and Smart play together.  Who knows, maybe this has the potential to be like what happened in Detroit when they drafted Dumars.  Later on that season, Daly put John Long on the bench and inserted Joe into the starting lineup, and the rest was history.  I'm not comparing any of our guys to Isiah or Joe, I'm just comparing the circumstances, as well as the changes in playing time and the starting lineup.

Smart and Rondo combo has not worked and imo it has little chance to work in general. Rondo is better suited to play beside a pure shooter like Ray Allen and while AB is not considered a deadly shooter, he runs around and is able to free himself like one.  When he is on, he is good.

MS from what i've seen , shoots better after having the ball in his hands. He is not much of a  catch and shooter, not right now anyways (or may never be)

In addition if Smart and Rondo pair up and Smart has to do the dirty work and guard the opposing teams pg ,  like he did with Wall last night, who is Rondo going to guard?  A 6'7 Klay Thompson?  6'4 Bradley Beal? 6'5 etc.

  Unsurprisingly. Smart's taken more catch and shoot shots than pullups, and he's hit the catch and shoots at a better clip. I sometimes wonder whether you're actually describing what you see or if you're just saying whatever you think makes a better reason to get rid of Rondo.

  Also, Rondo's been guarding the SGs when he's been paired with Bradley for the last 4 years or so, and we generally play better defense with them in the game together.

[SHAQATTACK]

Hogwash

[Chris22]

TONIGHT!  Do mysteries exist?  Some say maybe.  Others aren't so sure...

Ancient astronaut theorists say yes.

[Beat LA]

TONIGHT!  Do mysteries exist?  Some say maybe.  Others aren't so sure...

Ancient astronaut theorists say yes.

What about the illuminati?

[Beat LA]

First, I think it's unrealistic to think that Smart will consistently outplay Rondo for several games.

Second, I'm still a believer in loyalty.  You don't bench a guy like Rondo just to play the "hot hand".

Third, there's no way Rondo comes back to Boston if he's benched.  Stevens would be essentially showing him the door, while tanking his trade value at the same time.

It's not happening.  Blakely just needed something to write about.

Ditto.  Will controversy erupt over Stevens' Smart-for-Rondo switch? - it will as soon as I publish this article .  You know, Bradley didn't play much, either, and if Stevens is going to bench anyone or make changes to the starting lineup, I want to see Rondo and Smart play together.  Who knows, maybe this has the potential to be like what happened in Detroit when they drafted Dumars.  Later on that season, Daly put John Long on the bench and inserted Joe into the starting lineup, and the rest was history.  I'm not comparing any of our guys to Isiah or Joe, I'm just comparing the circumstances, as well as the changes in playing time and the starting lineup.

Smart and Rondo combo has not worked and imo it has little chance to work in general. Rondo is better suited to play beside a pure shooter like Ray Allen and while AB is not considered a deadly shooter, he runs around and is able to free himself like one.  When he is on, he is good.

MS from what i've seen , shoots better after having the ball in his hands. He is not much of a  catch and shooter, not right now anyways (or may never be)

In addition if Smart and Rondo pair up and Smart has to do the dirty work and guard the opposing teams pg ,  like he did with Wall last night, who is Rondo going to guard?  A 6'7 Klay Thompson?  6'4 Bradley Beal? 6'5 etc.

When has that ever been the case?  They've never started a single game together, iirc, so how can you say that definitively?

[blink]

You know what's funny? Sunday, Rondo posted a triple double against Washington in a win = Ho hum.

Monday night, Marcus Smart posts an impressive stat line in a loss against the same team = OMGah! Smart is the future. Rondo sucks. Trade everyone!

Can't we pump the brakes a little? Did Marcus play terrific? Yes, he did. Has he earned the keys to the car already? Considering going into last night's game, he was shooting 29% from the field, I'm gonna say not just yet. Why not allow the kid the opportunity to develop his game further. See if his shooting really sticks. And in the meantime, see if he can play alongside Rondo.

This 100%.  TP. 

Triboy is worse than Blakely himself.

[Beat LA]

First, I think it's unrealistic to think that Smart will consistently outplay Rondo for several games.

Second, I'm still a believer in loyalty.  You don't bench a guy like Rondo just to play the "hot hand".

Third, there's no way Rondo comes back to Boston if he's benched.  Stevens would be essentially showing him the door, while tanking his trade value at the same time.

It's not happening.  Blakely just needed something to write about.

Ditto.  Will controversy erupt over Stevens' Smart-for-Rondo switch? - it will as soon as I publish this article .  You know, Bradley didn't play much, either, and if Stevens is going to bench anyone or make changes to the starting lineup, I want to see Rondo and Smart play together.  Who knows, maybe this has the potential to be like what happened in Detroit when they drafted Dumars.  Later on that season, Daly put John Long on the bench and inserted Joe into the starting lineup, and the rest was history.  I'm not comparing any of our guys to Isiah or Joe, I'm just comparing the circumstances, as well as the changes in playing time and the starting lineup.

Smart and Rondo combo has not worked and imo it has little chance to work in general. Rondo is better suited to play beside a pure shooter like Ray Allen and while AB is not considered a deadly shooter, he runs around and is able to free himself like one.  When he is on, he is good.

MS from what i've seen , shoots better after having the ball in his hands. He is not much of a  catch and shooter, not right now anyways (or may never be)

In addition if Smart and Rondo pair up and Smart has to do the dirty work and guard the opposing teams pg ,  like he did with Wall last night, who is Rondo going to guard?  A 6'7 Klay Thompson?  6'4 Bradley Beal? 6'5 etc.

  Unsurprisingly. Smart's taken more catch and shoot shots than pullups, and he's hit the catch and shoots at a better clip. I sometimes wonder whether you're actually describing what you see or if you're just saying whatever you think makes a better reason to get rid of Rondo.

  Also, Rondo's been guarding the SGs when he's been paired with Bradley for the last 4 years or so, and we generally play better defense with them in the game together.

It hasn't even been close to 4 years.  I'll give you so far this season and the games that Rondo played last year, but prior to that, Bradley had always been guarding the opposition's sg.  He didn't come over from the week side when he stuffed Dwyane Wade in that nationally-televised matchup with Miami at the Garden in 2012.