Baxter Holmes feature article on Rajon Rondo

[manl_lui]

As ever, Rondo remains a Rorschach test for Celtics fans.

I know I read the article and remembered to buy a #9 jersey from the NBA store while they're on clearance. Now I've got one for each of the big four (I think I can survive without a Perk jersey).

Me too, I got the St. Patty's day for Ray Allen, Championship patch for KG, Regular away game Pierce, and Christmas Jersey (All Green) for Rondo

I got the Rondo one in the game vs the Kings a couple weeks ago when it was on sale for $50 

Loved the article, mostly because it blew up the narrative that Rondo was a cancer whose teammates and coaches hated.

If anything, it reinforced that narrative. I don't think I even imagined it was THAT bad in the locker room. Doc is a better personnel manager than I gave him credit for.

If it was as bad as fans make it out to be, some teammate would have left the team and just dumped all over him. But even Ray, who there was supposed to have this major rift with Rondo that caused him to leave, came out and said the reason he left was that Danny kept trying to trade him. Every other teammate he's had has said how much they love the guy.

in fairness, every team has their fair share of nutcases, and it's up to the coaches to keep them under control. Like Kozlodoev said, Doc deserves some credit as a personnel manager. I think the article enforces that Rondo is a competitor, very smart but ends up butting heads with coaches. He is difficult to coach but you cannot deny that he competes and steps up when it matters most. I guess we will find out if Rondo will be the same Rondo this post season for Dallas.

[D.o.s.]

As ever, Rondo remains a Rorschach test for Celtics fans.

I know I read the article and remembered to buy a #9 jersey from the NBA store while they're on clearance. Now I've got one for each of the big four (I think I can survive without a Perk jersey).

Me too, I got the St. Patty's day for Ray Allen, Championship patch for KG, Regular away game Pierce, and Christmas Jersey (All Green) for Rondo

I got the Rondo one in the game vs the Kings a couple weeks ago when it was on sale for $50 

Oh, nice. I wish I'd thought of doing something like that -- I just have the regular away jerseys (although the KG one has the black edging).

Anyone got any advice for framing, actually? I'd like to get all four into one, but I could probably do two or even four separate.

[gift]

Loved the article, mostly because it blew up the narrative that Rondo was a cancer whose teammates and coaches hated.

If anything, it reinforced that narrative. I don't think I even imagined it was THAT bad in the locker room. Doc is a better personnel manager than I gave him credit for.

If it was as bad as fans make it out to be, some teammate would have left the team and just dumped all over him. But even Ray, who there was supposed to have this major rift with Rondo that caused him to leave, came out and said the reason he left was that Danny kept trying to trade him. Every other teammate he's had has said how much they love the guy.

He mostly bickered with the coach, not with his teammates. It worked to his benefit that Doc has no ego when it comes to coaching, otherwise there's no saying how this may have gone.

I actually think it worked to his benefit that Doc had a big enough ego to not be threatened by Rondo.

[Tr1boy]

Loved the article, mostly because it blew up the narrative that Rondo was a cancer whose teammates and coaches hated.

If anything, it reinforced that narrative. I don't think I even imagined it was THAT bad in the locker room. Doc is a better personnel manager than I gave him credit for.

If it was as bad as fans make it out to be, some teammate would have left the team and just dumped all over him. But even Ray, who there was supposed to have this major rift with Rondo that caused him to leave, came out and said the reason he left was that Danny kept trying to trade him. Every other teammate he's had has said how much they love the guy.

He mostly bickered with the coach, not with his teammates. It worked to his benefit that Doc has no ego when it comes to coaching, otherwise there's no saying how this may have gone.

I actually think it worked to his benefit that Doc had a big enough ego to not be threatened by Rondo.

Doc raised Rondo.  Rondo knew his place

[colincb]

Doc had plenty of ego as did Rondo, Ray, Pierce and KG. That the Big three were able to submerge their egos and work to a common goal resulted in by far the biggest turn-around in NBA history with a very young PG. They won the crown in their first year, which is pretty amazing in itself and started the following season with the greatest start in NBA history until their MVP went down.

I don't think the locker room was bad at all.  It was a strong locker room with a strong coach and a strong GM too.  If Rondo, the Big 3, Doc and Danny had small egos, they wouldn't have amounted to much.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

You don't control players like Russel Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Kobe Bryant, or Allen Iverson-you unleash them.

We will have no idea if the Rondo experiment in Dallas works until the games matter. It would be completely like Rondo to go toe-to-toe with Chris Paul in a playoff series and lead his team to victory, but we won't see that Rondo until it matters.

If it still falls apart in Dallas, the Lakers better get some peace-makers in their lockerroom.

[Celtics18]

TP for posting that article.  I really enjoyed it.

As always, we'll read what we want to read about our mercurial ex-point guard.  Personally, I was just reminded about how much I loved him as our floor leader and how much I miss him.

I wish him success in Dallas (a team that I definitely think has the capability of upsetting someone in the playoffs).

Thanks, Rondo:  A great Celtic in my book. 

[TheFlex]

As ever, Rondo remains a Rorschach test for Celtics fans.

I know I read the article and remembered to buy a #9 jersey from the NBA store while they're on clearance. Now I've got one for each of the big four (I think I can survive without a Perk jersey).

Me too, I got the St. Patty's day for Ray Allen, Championship patch for KG, Regular away game Pierce, and Christmas Jersey (All Green) for Rondo

I got the Rondo one in the game vs the Kings a couple weeks ago when it was on sale for $50 

Oh, nice. I wish I'd thought of doing something like that -- I just have the regular away jerseys (although the KG one has the black edging).

Anyone got any advice for framing, actually? I'd like to get all four into one, but I could probably do two or even four separate.

I have a black with gold and green lettering Ray Allen jersey, away P2 jersey, home KG jersey and black & white Rondo jersey.

[GetLucky]

As ever, Rondo remains a Rorschach test for Celtics fans.

This is so true. People will see what they want to see with Rondo. This also reminded me of my favorite short story, Flowers for Algernon, so kudos for that. TP.

[Vox_Populi]

As ever, Rondo remains a Rorschach test for Celtics fans.

This is so true. People will see what they want to see with Rondo. This also reminded me of my favorite short story, Flowers for Algernon, so kudos for that. TP.

Love that story and the book.

Anyway, I really enjoyed the article. I'm one of the ones who really enjoyed his time as a Celtic and wish him the best. He'll go down as a divisive player, but I think for sure as one of more memorable ones too.

[timobusa]

TP for posting that article.  I really enjoyed it.

As always, we'll read what we want to read about our mercurial ex-point guard.  Personally, I was just reminded about how much I loved him as our floor leader and how much I miss him.

I wish him success in Dallas (a team that I definitely think has the capability of upsetting someone in the playoffs).

Thanks, Rondo:  A great Celtic in my book.

SAME! TP!

[GC003332]

In the world of what have you done lately, the Celtics with Rondo in the line up the last 3 seasons he played, 18-20 , 6-24 , 8-14.
Mavs with him in line up this year 24-19 (6-10 against other current Western conference playoff teams) without him 23-12
.357 current free throw percentage this season

I would say good at math is a tad overstating things

Gavin

[D.o.s.]

In the world of what have you done lately, the Celtics with Rondo in the line up the last 3 seasons he played, 18-20 , 6-24 , 8-14.
Mavs with him in line up this year 24-19 (6-10 against other current Western conference playoff teams) without him 23-12
.357 current free throw percentage this season

I would say good at math is a tad overstating things

Gavin

The entire Celtics mystique would seem to run against a "what have you done for me lately" approach to sports fandom. Unless you think we're all here because of Evan Turner's style and grace?

[Moranis]

Should have traded him after the 2011 season no later than after 2012 season.

EDIT:  The article reminded of this thread I made during the 2012 playoffs.

[acieEarl]

I was and still am a fan of Rondo. That being said, it's a huge advantage to have a PG who can shoot, take it to the hole to get to the line, and make free throws especially at the end of games as Thomas does.

I think we Ainge did pretty well in the Rondo trade.