That's all I wanted to say. He's a lot of fun to watch and easily the backbone of the Celtics. While everyone continues to talk about "The Big Three," Rajon Rondo is by far the most important player for Boston. I'm sure some will pass him off as flashy, but he gets the job done and looks really good doing it.
I was thinking today about why he's never in the discussion of top PGs in the league. He's certainly been better under pressure than Derron Williams this post-season.
...just my $.02.
LeBron James is really good at killing fast breaks. He can time his jump and block almost any layup. He had done it several times to the Celtics prior to today's game. But they have learned their lesson and are learning to work around it, drive to the basket and then dish to a trailer. Rondo did it best. The look on James is great:
I'm going to be rooting for whoever wins this series to go all the way.
(I think. The Suns in the Finals might be a tough call.)
...just my $.02.
How beautiful was that?Originally Posted by Jeremy D. Scott
This thread brings up another thought that I have had about the Celts. Is it now time to rebuild the team around Rondo. I thinking that at least Garnett and Allen need to be traded (or in the case of Allen who is probably not tradable anymore invited to retire) and possibly some of the other bigger names such as (hold your breath now) Paul Pierce and Sheed. I would just hate to see the Celts repeat what they did in the 90's with the big five and try and hang on way past their prime. If they don't get it done this year (which while I love them I don't think they will) then they are not going to get any younger next year. So I think it is time to blow it up and start over around Rondo.
John
I think this is exactly what Ainge is headed for. He's already indicated it with the extension Rondo was given at the beginning of the year. And then, Allen has indicated he realizes he may be elsewhere next year (he will be a free agent). This NBA off-season has been much-anticipated for three or four years now. The names going into free agency are incredible (besides James, there's Joe Johnson, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwayne Wade, David Lee, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, and Carlos Boozer). I'm not sure there's ever been anything like it. Perhaps lots of money gets thrown around (with the Celtics getting a big power guy like Bosh or Stoudamire or even Lee) leaving less interest in a guy like Allen (I still think he has it...he has shown some bursts of speed and power yet again during these play-offs, and I think he might take less to stay - they mentioned that he's already registered his kids for school for next year). Or if Allen does indeed go...I think that Joe Johnson is extremely underrated and would be a great pick-up.
But don't blow it up yet!!! There's still a chance at a nineteenth trophy this year.
Or they can wait until next year when there's another big class of players coming into free agency (Carmelo anyone?).
Ainge is the luckiest guy in the world that Rondo signed that extension - he would have been much more expensive had they waited.
...just my $.02.
More impressive is the 3 full steps Rondo gets to take prior to the pass.
Welcome to the NBA, David.
They changed the rule this year; that's basically allowed now.
...just my $.02.
Which is why the NBA is a total joke, especially in comparison to college basketball.
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 LaughingJeremy D. Scott - "thanks" for this post
I don't disagree.
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Yeah I suppose there might be but I just don't see them getting past the Magic, but stranger things have happened. Who knows.
John
True. But give Derron Williams players the caliber of Garnett, Pierce, and Allen and I think it would be a different story.
This year's playoff version of the Jazz was Derron Williams and no one else. The fact that the Jazz was able to beat Denver without Kirilenko and Okur was quite the accomplishment.
That, plus the fact that Derron Williams has a much better overall game gives him the edge over Rondo.
All of that being said, Cleveland has no one who can guard Rondo. But they also had no one who could guard Rafer Alston last year in the playoffs. Basically, they have no point guard.
That was true two years ago. It's not anymore.
How do you come to this? Let's leave out assists for now since your assumption is that Rondo gets more because of the players around him. Rondo is better than Williams in each of these "all-around" categories: steals (by a long shot), turnovers, rebounds, and FG%.
For sure, Williams is a better scorer and is much stronger than Rondo (I think I remember him saying as much), but I'm not sure how we could say that he's better all-around.
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I'm not saying Allen, Pierce, and Garnett are world beaters but they are considerably better than what Utah fields at the same positions. You're underestimating just how bad Utah's supporting cast is. They have NO 2 guard. None.
And Utah played Denver and LA without Kirilenko (and Okur).Code:Player Points Per Game Allen 16.3 CJ Miles 9.9 Pierce 18.3 Kirilenko 11.9 Garnett 14.3 Boozer 19.9
Here's how:How do you come to this? Let's leave out assists for now since your assumption is that Rondo gets more because of the players around him. Rondo is better than Williams in each of these "all-around" categories: steals (by a long shot), turnovers, rebounds, and FG%.
For sure, Williams is a better scorer and is much stronger than Rondo (I think I remember him saying as much), but I'm not sure how we could say that he's better all-around.
- Derron Williams gets more assists per game than Rondo: 10.5 to 9.8. That stat actually strengthens my argument.
- Williams is a much better scorer. He is the cornerstone of Utah's offense. Rondo isn't.
- He actually has a game beyond the 3 point line.
- As good as Rondo has played this postseason, Williams played better.
Rondo is a very good player. I just don't think he is near Derron Williams' level - who is arguably the best PG in the NBA.
My claim was only for the playoffs. Clearly Williams has better numbers during the regular season. So far in these playoffs, he's not raised his game the way Rondo has.
...just my $.02.Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
Code:Player Reg. Season PPG Postseason PPG Rondo 13.7 17.9 Williams 18.7 24.3
Rondo FG/ Rbs/Ast/PPG
(Reg. Season) .508 4.4 9.8 13.7
(Playoffs) .468 7.1 11.4 17.9
Williams
(Reg. Season) .469 4.0 10.5 18.7
(Playoffs) .450 2.7 10.2 24.3
It would actually seem that Deron Williams has neglected his "all around game" for scoring in the playoffs, leading to a jump of 5.6 points per game.
Rondo, on the other hand, has "raised his [all-around] game" in the playoffs, bettering Williams in rebounds and assists per game while shooting more often than usual (as evidenced by his lower FG%) and adding 4.2 points per game to his average.
Williams has only raised his scoring average by one point more per game than Rondo. I doubt the Jazz are feeling the effect of that 1 point. However, Rondo's entire game has elevated along with the elevation in scoring.
I think Ryan is correct here.
- Ben
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death! And to those in the tombs, bestowing life!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας! καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος!Post Thanks / Like - 1 Thanks, 0 Laughing
Rondo's stats for this second round are in rare company. His overall playoff stats thus far put him among the elite players all time in one post-season. He's single handedly won two games in this series already. He also makes less money and is signed long term.
...just my $.02.
In the second round, he's averaging 21 points and 13 assists. Those are really good stats. But they are not historically 'elite.'
Derron Williams averaged 24 points and 10 in 2 series. Are those stats 'all time elite?'
Again, I think Rondo is very good. But not nearly as good as the hype he is receiving.
Why neglect the over 7 rebounds per game?
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You seem to have left out his 8.3 rebounds per game in the second round (compared to Williams' 2.4 over those two rounds).
21.8 pts, 13 assists, and 8.3 rebounds is almost a triple-double per game. That's pretty "elite" IMHO, especially from a 6'1'' 170lb scrawny kid.
- Ben
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death! And to those in the tombs, bestowing life!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας! καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος!
Oops on overlooking the rebounding #'s. I wasn't even paying attention.
I'm rooting for him. I'm no fan of the Cavs.
While his series stats are great and all, I'm sure that Derron Williams would have averaged a quadruple double against the Cavs' pathetic backcourt
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