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

[BballTim]

I think, Blakely, is premature in his conclusion.  How did this guy become the insider?  He simply is not that good.

  For most of these guys, any inside access they have with the team is the only reason they're worth reading. I don't think it would be too hard to find people who post here that know more about basketball (or the Celts) than he does.

[clover]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/will-controversy-erupt-over-stevens-smart-rondo-switch

The real issue is: What happens now?

As good as Smart was (23 points, 5 assists without a turnover, 4 rebounds and 2 steals), you have to believe that this kid has a few more gears he'll be able to shift into going forward . . . which means Stevens will be in the same spot probably sooner rather than later.

Does he play the hot hand of the rookie, or revert back to the proven All-Star?

By all accounts, Rondo had no problem on Monday being on the bench for both overtimes, all of the fourth quarter and the final 5:21 of the third.

But what if the Celtics find themselves in a similar position on Wednesday at Charlotte, or another game down the road?

Or what if Smart goes on a run of four, five, six games similar to what we saw on Monday, and those performances result in wins?

Would Stevens bench Rondo for Smart?

Can't see Rondo coming off the bench , even if last nights situation happened 3 or 4 times in the next 6 or 7 games.  Ainge will prob trade Rondo before BS has the green light to start Smart over Rondo. Though if Smart does outplay Rondo, starting or not, Rondo's value may start to plummet.

The only way I see Stevens starting Smart over Rondo is if Danny decides he can't get anything worthwhile for Rondo and they're just going to let him walk at the end of his contract. If it got that point, however, I think they'd be looking to trade Rondo for anything that was a net positive for their roster situation, rather than have Rondo hanging around.

But, I can see Smart getting more minutes and closing out more games than Rondo over the next six weeks if he really comes on strong here.

[Celtics18]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/will-controversy-erupt-over-stevens-smart-rondo-switch

The real issue is: What happens now?

As good as Smart was (23 points, 5 assists without a turnover, 4 rebounds and 2 steals), you have to believe that this kid has a few more gears he'll be able to shift into going forward . . . which means Stevens will be in the same spot probably sooner rather than later.

Does he play the hot hand of the rookie, or revert back to the proven All-Star?

By all accounts, Rondo had no problem on Monday being on the bench for both overtimes, all of the fourth quarter and the final 5:21 of the third.

But what if the Celtics find themselves in a similar position on Wednesday at Charlotte, or another game down the road?

Or what if Smart goes on a run of four, five, six games similar to what we saw on Monday, and those performances result in wins?

Would Stevens bench Rondo for Smart?

Can't see Rondo coming off the bench , even if last nights situation happened 3 or 4 times in the next 6 or 7 games.  Ainge will prob trade Rondo before BS has the green light to start Smart over Rondo. Though if Smart does outplay Rondo, starting or not, Rondo's value may start to plummet.

The only way I see Stevens starting Smart over Rondo is if Danny decides he can't get anything worthwhile for Rondo and they're just going to let him walk at the end of his contract. If it got that point, however, I think they'd be looking to trade Rondo for anything that was a net positive for their roster situation, rather than have Rondo hanging around.

But, I can see Smart getting more minutes and closing out more games than Rondo over the next six weeks if he really comes on strong here.

If Smart continues to play well, I think we are much more likely to see him finish games with Rondo as opposed to instead of Rondo.

[Celtics4ever]

For most of these guys, any inside access they have with the team is the only reason they're worth reading. I don't think it would be too hard to find people who post here that know more about basketball (or the Celts) than he does.

Spot on TP

[clover]

http://www.csnne.com/boston-celtics/will-controversy-erupt-over-stevens-smart-rondo-switch

The real issue is: What happens now?

As good as Smart was (23 points, 5 assists without a turnover, 4 rebounds and 2 steals), you have to believe that this kid has a few more gears he'll be able to shift into going forward . . . which means Stevens will be in the same spot probably sooner rather than later.

Does he play the hot hand of the rookie, or revert back to the proven All-Star?

By all accounts, Rondo had no problem on Monday being on the bench for both overtimes, all of the fourth quarter and the final 5:21 of the third.

But what if the Celtics find themselves in a similar position on Wednesday at Charlotte, or another game down the road?

Or what if Smart goes on a run of four, five, six games similar to what we saw on Monday, and those performances result in wins?

Would Stevens bench Rondo for Smart?

Can't see Rondo coming off the bench , even if last nights situation happened 3 or 4 times in the next 6 or 7 games.  Ainge will prob trade Rondo before BS has the green light to start Smart over Rondo. Though if Smart does outplay Rondo, starting or not, Rondo's value may start to plummet.

The only way I see Stevens starting Smart over Rondo is if Danny decides he can't get anything worthwhile for Rondo and they're just going to let him walk at the end of his contract. If it got that point, however, I think they'd be looking to trade Rondo for anything that was a net positive for their roster situation, rather than have Rondo hanging around.

But, I can see Smart getting more minutes and closing out more games than Rondo over the next six weeks if he really comes on strong here.

If Smart continues to play well, I think we are much more likely to see him finish games with Rondo as opposed to instead of Rondo.

Let's hope he continues to play well--so we can see!