Deadly Manuevers, pt. 2

Rondo Revisited


Salary and free agent "positioning" considerations aside, why would a team would even consider attempting to replace a performing fixture in your starting lineup? Why roll the dice and gamble on chemistry or even leave anything up to chance in the bumper car race to the free agent class of 2011? A better question might be, what's wrong with simply riding Rondo? Homoerotics aside.

As mentioned previously, Rondo's numbers have improved with each passing year that he has been in the league, in both the regular and post seasons. We can take a closer look here:

Season MP - - FG% -- FT% - ORB - DRB - TRB - AST - STL - TOV - PTS
06-07 - 1831 - .418 -- .647 --- 74 --- 218 -- 292 -- 297 -- 128 -- 137 -- 501
07-08 - 2306 - .492 - .611 ---- 78 --- 244 -- 322 -- 393 -- 129 -- 147 -- 814
08-09 - 2642 - .505 - .642 --- 100 -- 316 -- 416 -- 659 -- 149 -- 209 - 953

Of course, 2007 was a watershed for Rondo considering the arrival of two superstars to the mix. However, if you notice, the big boost in production did not come until the 08-09 season. Nearly 100 more rebounds, over 250 more assists, and 100 more points between this season and the last. These improvements are HUGE and there's no reason to believe that they are going to recede, or even level out, at least in the near future. Rondo is a freakish specimen, considering characteristics such as his outlandish wingspan (Bilas!) along with his speed and leaping ability, and as his confidence continues to grow, so too will his aggressiveness, and when Rondo is aggressive, he is at his best. At least based on what we saw in the Chicago series versus what we saw in the Orlando series.

And of course, Rondo has his drawbacks. Dude can't shoot worth a damn. But, as his numbers suggest, his shooting percentage is actually on the rise. Of course, this has more to do with his ability to get to the hole rather than to hit a 12-foot jumper. Plus, as we've seen, Rondo generally has very little trouble taking the ball to the basket, especially in transition. Many would argue that the only reason he has these opportunities is due to his teammates ability to occupy the defense, but isn't this always the case for any driving guard? And since when does a point guard need to be able to consistently knock down mid-range jumpers? If you recall, Jason Kidd has never been a great shooter nor a scorer, yet has been an institution in this league for nearly 15 years, twice leading his (below average) team to the NBA Finals. Kidd made his team better by being a decent defender, a solid rebounder, and a great passer. Rondo already has two of these capabilities, and is well on his way to achieving the third.

Perhaps the greatest concern for Rondo is his attitude. There have always been signals; a sour face here, a flip of the hand there, but nothing ever seemed like it was too much of a cause for concern. However, recent reports have surfaced with respect to Rondo's coachability and whether or not this could even become a bigger problem as Rondo approaches his contract season in 2010.

Whether or not Rondo's seemingly curious decision-making on the floor is a direct result of this "problem" or not, is difficult to say. However, this developing spat certainly complicates the contract issue at the end of next season. The Celtics could indeed end up losing their starting (premier) point guard, and receive nothing in return, and all as a result of some trade proposals gone bad and a loose-lipped executive. And that wouldn't be good for anyone. Well, maybe except Rondo.

Perhaps what is most bothersome about this situation is the lack of loyalty exemplified by certain parties. Now, this might come off as naive or idealistic, or even naively idealistic, but I am speaking more in terms of fanbase. Many Celtics fans seemed to jump at the chance of potentially removing Rondo from the roster. Sure, some had lofty notions of landing a big acquisition at the end of next season, and removing the "Rondo contract question" from the equation would certainly boost that possibility. Primarily, however, the cat calls have been focusing on Rondo's inability to perform (If I want to see missed layups, I'll go watch my son's youth games). Clever.

We have already looked at the numbers, so there is no reason to indulge these nonsensical accusations, but is there not something to be said for cultivating and maintaining homegrown talent? Boston fans used to hate the Yankees. Primarily, because they would always beat the Sox, but also because of the Yankees propensity for buying their talent. The Yanks would always seems to have an endless supply of talent due to their supreme wealth, so that they could always replenish diminishing resources. However, in recent years (and since the Sox have sort of turned the tables), Boston fans don't seem to mind bringing in outside talent to get the job done, even if their homegrown talent is the real reason for their success.

But, in this case, it just seems unnecessary.

As demonstrated, Rondo is a rising star. Is he going to be Chris Paul? No. Is he going to be Steve Nash? No. But he is going to be a prime-time point guard for years to come (and one who will play better defense then either of those two just mentioned). Plus, he has been making all-star guards such as Nash, Billups, and Iverson look foolish for the last two years, and did get the better of D. Rose in this year's playoff (No offense intended to anyone there. Just the fact is all). And when has his attitude been an issue up until this point? Prior to the advent of the "Big Three", Paul Pierce was not a popular cat in Boston. His attitude truly was a problem, but when he got what he needed, things changed. Pierce's attitude, however, was actually affecting the team. When and where has Rondo's attitude truly impacted the Celtics performance? Was it during their championship run?

What the Celtics should do is address that which is for certain; Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and even Kevin Garnett are approaching the end of their respective terms both with the Celtics and in the NBA, meaning that talent replenishment is going to be necessary. Also, considering last night's draft, if even a third of those first 9 point guards taken pan out, then there is going to be a serious need to match up at the point for years to come. This is compounded by the pre-existing rising talent level across the NBA at the position. Therefore, why not let Rondo know that he belongs right where he is? Make him happy, give him a long-term home. This will ensure not only that not all of the Celtics current talent is out the door by 2012, but also that they can match up with just about anyone in the back court. For the league is getting smaller and smaller, so why not hold onto one of the "biggest" point guards in the league? Or, the Celtics can risk being tormented by him for the next 8-10 years when he suits up for another team. The choice is theirs.

Instead of rolling the dice, the Celtics should consider Rondo to be their future. Look how frustrated Rondo gets in transition. The Celtics are currently a slow and/or old team. Rondo is fast and young. Too often is he alone in the break, leading to him simply pull the ball back and setting up the offense or, in the worst case scenario, putting up a difficult shot in the face of an odd-man defense. Why not support this style? Adding a free agent such as Shawn Marion, getting younger, and pushing the ball could really open up Rondo's potential even more. They don't have to be the Phoenix Suns circa 2005, but the Celtics could flourish in the Rondo era if they play to this strengths. Rondo is a beast in the open court, it's when things slow down that he has difficulty. If the dinosaurs are on their way out anyway, and Rondo is here to stay, then why not roll with it?

Why not just roll with Rondo...?