Rondo: "I haven't played defense in a couple of years..."

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Now ask yourself how would you play if your boss said publically he was seeking to get rid of you for all these years...and it was probably just off hand talk.. overall he played as good D as a too-high % of the rest of the team..!!! Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

[jpotter33]

In Boston, on the other hand, that responsibility was given to Avery Bradley, making his own job an easier one.

The last time when Bradley guarded the primary ball-handlers while Rondo was on the floor must have been 2011 or 2012.

I'm guessing Avery Bradley's response will be: "Wait, that's not true, I mean, I haven't played defense the last two years either"

Incidentally, neither 2011 nor 2012 were part of the last two years

  Since we're talking about the last two years, has anyone in the thread figured out that the last two years for Rondo has been nothing more than his recovery from knee surgery?

He was recovered for us this year. Last year he was working his way back, but this year it can't be used as an excuse. I mean he didn't even use that as an excuse for why he wasn't playing his best D, so why try and provide extra excuses for him?

[jpotter33]

Now ask yourself how would you play if your boss said publically he was seeking to get rid of you for all these years...and it was probably just off hand talk.. overall he played as good D as a too-high % of the rest of the team..!!! Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

That's such a BS excuse. He's a grown man being paid 12 M a year; maybe he should grow a pair and deal with it. These athletes are extremely lucky people to be being paid to do what they do. Why do people feel the need to not hold them to the same standard as regular working people? If you acted like this to your boss, what do you think they would do? They'd tell you to suck it up or you're fired! Let's stop making excuses for privileged millionaires...

[kozlodoev]

Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

Because when you can't be bothered to stay with your man, you're free to waltz in and get all the rebounds you want. Why is he not the leading rebounder in Dallas?

[RJ87]

Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

Because when you can't be bothered to stay with your man, you're free to waltz in and get all the rebounds you want. Why is he not the leading rebounder in Dallas?

Because they have this thing called a center. If you discount the 1 rebound aberration that was his last game, Rondo's been the 2nd leading rebounder behind Tyson.

[BballTim]

In Boston, on the other hand, that responsibility was given to Avery Bradley, making his own job an easier one.

The last time when Bradley guarded the primary ball-handlers while Rondo was on the floor must have been 2011 or 2012.

I'm guessing Avery Bradley's response will be: "Wait, that's not true, I mean, I haven't played defense the last two years either"

Incidentally, neither 2011 nor 2012 were part of the last two years

  Since we're talking about the last two years, has anyone in the thread figured out that the last two years for Rondo has been nothing more than his recovery from knee surgery?

He was recovered for us this year. Last year he was working his way back, but this year it can't be used as an excuse. I mean he didn't even use that as an excuse for why he wasn't playing his best D, so why try and provide extra excuses for him?

  His defense last year was bad, his defense early this year was bad, his defense after the first 8-10 games was much better. It's worth pointing out that he's only talking about those two seasons though.

[kozlodoev]

Now ask yourself how would you play if your boss said publically he was seeking to get rid of you for all these years...and it was probably just off hand talk.. overall he played as good D as a too-high % of the rest of the team..!!! Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

Oh, and also, this is false.

[Redz]

He also hasn't practiced free throws or flossed

[SHAQATTACK]

I don't think Rondo is  joking or lying .  I think is DEAD serious and being truthful and seems to feel guilty a bit about coasting on defense.

This reply is EXAcTLY what I ve been say n since he come back.    He is not play n 100 % effort every game on both ends of the court ....like he did with KG and Pierce.   

Because the team isn't going anywhere or gain anything from him killing himself to try and win games.   He wasn't going to injury. Himself  for nothing.    He was saving himself for another run at a title with another team.   He was not going to knock himself out for next five years for nothing.

I also posted I was anxious to see how Rondo does in a new pressure situation.. having to play 100'% defense every night now or be called out by team mates.

The pressure is back on .....he is play n for a title again.

It took a big person to step up and admit he was looking out for himself first and not giving all he had.

Makes me feel like I wasn't going crazy watching him and not understanding WHY he played like he did after returning.

I think ....this is what James wants to do....use the young players as crutch ....but it isn't going to work like that .....he needs to be super LeBron or no more titles ...at least in the situation at Cleveland.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Now ask yourself how would you play if your boss said publically he was seeking to get rid of you for all these years...and it was probably just off hand talk.. overall he played as good D as a too-high % of the rest of the team..!!! Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

That's such a BS excuse. He's a grown man being paid 12 M a year; maybe he should grow a pair and deal with it. These athletes are extremely lucky people to be being paid to do what they do. Why do people feel the need to not hold them to the same standard as regular working people? If you acted like this to your boss, what do you think they would do? They'd tell you to suck it up or you're fired! Let's stop making excuses for privileged millionaires...

Well when you talk about STANDARDS...then WHO else do you hold to this standard.....KO...not hardly, he played 3 games, and only when his father was there......and no one else on the whole team...for all those years....esp after KG was gone.....no effort by hardly anyone....so tell me where your STANDARDS begin, and who you hold to them..? Rondo came to play every night...went in hard for layups, got thrown to the floor....no call.....I do not recall seeing anyone else do that.....he led the team in rebounds more than not. He did more all around than anyone else after the big 3 were gone.

[Casperian]

Here's the full quote:

What has it meant to Rondo to have such a defensive impact on Mavericks? Defensive numbers have been fantastic with him.

I haven’t played defense in a couple of years. I’ve been able to hide it a lot with Avery Bradley on the ball. He’s helped me out, the young guy. But here they expect me to play defense. And in the West, if you don’t play defense you’ll get embarrassed every night at the point guard position. I took it as a challenge (for) myself. It’s not just me. It’s my teammates. Our communication is getting a lot better and our coverages are getting better. So it’s the whole team concept, it’s not just me. Obviously people are going to look at the stats and say, ‘Since Rondo’s came there, they’re down seven or eight points or whatever defensively.’ But we still have a lot of room to improve and I believe we’ll still get better defensively.

To the surprise of nearly everyone involved, once you get the context the quote isn't nearly as agitational as the tweet would make it seem.

Shocking stuff.

Strange, the context doesn't change anything for me.

I don't know what's worse. Rondo finally admitting he didn't give a fart and throwing his former teamates and coach under the bus, or the apologists defending him. Nah, I think it's the latter.

What a little ****head.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Now ask yourself how would you play if your boss said publically he was seeking to get rid of you for all these years...and it was probably just off hand talk.. overall he played as good D as a too-high % of the rest of the team..!!! Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

Oh, and also, this is false.

sorry, but you are WRONG..as usual.....I know, facts baffle you....

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

Because when you can't be bothered to stay with your man, you're free to waltz in and get all the rebounds you want. Why is he not the leading rebounder in Dallas?

Because they have this thing called a center. If you discount the 1 rebound aberration that was his last game, Rondo's been the 2nd leading rebounder behind Tyson.

non-players never understand the game, so they go to stats, in hopes it covers their lack of knowledge....REBOUNDS are the WORK of the GAME....those who hustle and know the game, have a strong desire to GET the ball rebound.....it is where all the physicality comes in....but they would know that if they played....ever....and office nerf doesn't count...!

[Shamrocker]

Here's the full quote:

What has it meant to Rondo to have such a defensive impact on Mavericks? Defensive numbers have been fantastic with him.

I haven’t played defense in a couple of years. I’ve been able to hide it a lot with Avery Bradley on the ball. He’s helped me out, the young guy. But here they expect me to play defense. And in the West, if you don’t play defense you’ll get embarrassed every night at the point guard position. I took it as a challenge (for) myself. It’s not just me. It’s my teammates. Our communication is getting a lot better and our coverages are getting better. So it’s the whole team concept, it’s not just me. Obviously people are going to look at the stats and say, ‘Since Rondo’s came there, they’re down seven or eight points or whatever defensively.’ But we still have a lot of room to improve and I believe we’ll still get better defensively.

To the surprise of nearly everyone involved, once you get the context the quote isn't nearly as agitational as the tweet would make it seem.

Shocking stuff.

Strange, the context doesn't change anything for me.

I don't know what's worse. Rondo finally admitting he didn't give a fart and throwing his former teamates and coach under the bus, or the apologists defending him. Nah, I think it's the latter.

What a little ****head.

Agreed on both fronts---the full quote doesn't alter anything for me, either. And, moreover, I don't quite see the appeal in defending a man who clearly didn't respect his teammates, his coaches, the fans, or our tradition.

[kozlodoev]

Now ask yourself how would you play if your boss said publically he was seeking to get rid of you for all these years...and it was probably just off hand talk.. overall he played as good D as a too-high % of the rest of the team..!!! Why was he the leading rebounder you ask..?

Oh, and also, this is false.

sorry, but you are WRONG..as usual.....I know, facts baffle you....

Until you demonstrate when and how exactly this has happened, you remain all talk.