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

[TwinTower14]

Just want to thank Rondo for confirming everything I ever thought about the guy. He is a complete dink and doubt he ever wins anything again....

[Celtics18]

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.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/01/rajon_rondo_discusses_return_t.html

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

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.

Apparently, though, most responders seem to be completely ignoring the full context.

Again, shocking stuff. 

[Kuberski33]

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

Regarding Stevens ability to hold players accountable, maybe it's because I like him as a coach, but I wouldn't hold Rondo's comments against him.  RR's always had problems with his coaches and I think the Celtics have 'come to play' at an above average rate compared to the typical NBA team.  But Rondo didn't this year - to many, it was obvious.  I just think moving him was the best thing for all involved.

But regarding this team not hustling, expect to see more of that as its now obvious that this is going to be a long term rebuild and the team figures to stink for a lot longer than anyone hoped.  No coach with a long term perspective can get much more out this team than CBS has.

I discount the Scott Skiles approach where you come in, crack the whip for a while and get decent results, then the whole team ends up hating your guts and under performing....That won't work for this team at this point in its development.

[hwangjini_1]

nm

[Rondo9]

Didn't Rondo say that he had Bradley taking on the tough assignments. Yeah he loafs at times, but like the people above me said context.

[puskas54_10]

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.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/01/rajon_rondo_discusses_return_t.html

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

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.

The point is the same. He did not give effort on D.
And please never ever compare Rondo to Lebron James, the face of the NBA, the best player in the the last 6-7 years. Lebron could "chilling" the rest of his career and even then he gave many many more to his teams and the NBA then Rondo ever could.

[jpotter33]

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.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/01/rajon_rondo_discusses_return_t.html

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

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.

Apparently, though, most responders seem to be completely ignoring the full context.

Again, shocking stuff.

Sure, it's not as bad with the context added, but it's still pretty ridiculous. He's basically saying he didn't put effort into that side of the ball because Bradley was there to cover for him.

In the real working world, that's like you saying you're not going to work hard due to a hard-working colleague doing the brunt of the work. That's an absolutely inexcusable excuse for any type of worker (especially Laborers) in the real working world, so why is it less [dang]ing for Rondo? Without context it's an abomination; with context it's only slightly less bad.

[Rondo9]

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.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/01/rajon_rondo_discusses_return_t.html

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

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.

The point is the same. He did not give effort on D.
And please never ever compare Rondo to Lebron James, the face of the NBA, the best player in the the last 6-7 years. Lebron could "chilling" the rest of his career and even then he gave many many more to his teams and the NBA then Rondo ever could.

Noone is comparing Lebron to Rondo.

[Roy H.]

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.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/01/rajon_rondo_discusses_return_t.html

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

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.

Apparently, though, most responders seem to be completely ignoring the full context.

Again, shocking stuff.

Sure, it's not as bad with the context added, but it's still pretty ridiculous. He's basically saying he didn't put effort into that side of the ball because Bradley was there to cover for him.

Yeah, I actually think the context makes it worse.  When the context was unclear, you could think of reasons why not playing D could be acceptable.  For instance, he could have been coached that way, similar to how Avery was coached to tone down his D a bit.

But, that's not what the quote says.  Rather, it says that Rondo just wasn't playing D, because he could hide behind Avery.  That's not good.

[Fafnir]

I don't think the full quote makes it worse, just highlights that the C's were hiding him on the weaker offensive threat at guard usually off the ball.

[Tr1boy]

Was this a joke? If not this changes my perception of him quite a lot...

absolute garbage.   

And he was captain of the team.

This is why i was relieved he was traded. 

[Tr1boy]

I don't think the full quote makes it worse, just highlights that the C's were hiding him on the weaker offensive threat at guard usually off the ball.

give it a rest Fafnir. The words came out his own mouth

[jpotter33]

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.

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/01/rajon_rondo_discusses_return_t.html

That doesn't say a lot about Rondo's professionalism, or Stevens' ability to hold his players accountable.  Obviously, Rondo isn't the only one loafing, but if people kill Lebron for saying that he's in "chill mode", then Rondo deserves the same scorn.

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.

Apparently, though, most responders seem to be completely ignoring the full context.

Again, shocking stuff.

Sure, it's not as bad with the context added, but it's still pretty ridiculous. He's basically saying he didn't put effort into that side of the ball because Bradley was there to cover for him.

Yeah, I actually think the context makes it worse.  When the context was unclear, you could think of reasons why not playing D could be acceptable.  For instance, he could have been coached that way, similar to how Avery was coached to tone down his D a bit.

But, that's not what the quote says.  Rather, it says that Rondo just wasn't playing D, because he could hide behind Avery.  That's not good.

Yep, I don't understand how people want to give him a pass on this when it wouldn't fly in any other circumstance.  Basically, he was saying he didn't play defense because he didn't have to, which just shows laziness, lack of leadership, and a lack of motivation.

[jpotter33]

I don't think the full quote makes it worse, just highlights that the C's were hiding him on the weaker offensive threat at guard usually off the ball.

So you don't have to play defense at all on the second best guard of the other team?

[ssspence]

Don't follow the rationalizations about context. The full quote is every bit as annoying as the tweet. Why defend something as childish as this?

I get that Rondo may have had tongue-in-cheek -- whether he did or he didn't, it's still annoying.