The aggressive Rondo

[DERRENMATTS]

In yesterday's game vs. the Magic, Rondo was being aggressive with his drives to the basket, and all I can say is this is what we need from him. I don't think KG, Pierce, or Ray will complain if Rondo starts being more selfish with the ball and attacks the basket. Its only going to make things easier for them (which in itself is a disturbing comment because things should already be easy for the Big 3, but as we can clearly see, shots aren't coming easy for them).

Someone's got to pound it into Rondo's head that he's got to look to penetrate whenever he sees an opening. Yes, pass the ball to the Big 3 when they have good positioning--but because Rondo is good at penetrating, and now that he is finishing at the rim and hitting his running floaters, if there's any daylight to the basket, he should be fined if he passes it up.

By doing this, Rondo should be able to rack up 15 pts per game. And not only that, but Ray WILL have more open looks, Perkins will have more opportunities for wide open dunks, and we will have more passes that leads to scores.

[birdie]

true true

[sexyscottish]

Hopefully next time he gets punched in the face he gets a call. Stupid refs. I say Perk takes Jameer Nelsons head off next time we play them.

[FLCeltsFan]

A Big welcome to Celtics Green SexyScottish!!! Good to have you here.

I am still speechless over that no call. Perk stared at someone and got a technical and Howard takes a swing at Rondo and they ignore it. If it wasn't for Rondo's quick reactions he would have been lying on the floor. Howard was swinging hard. The Celtics really, really need to take this one to the league office.

[runrondo]

I think Rondo was only really aggressive because we didn't have the Big 3 out there..He's a little insecure about holding the ball the most when there's three all-stars on the floor but with KG out we needed someone to create after Pierce's hotness went out..I wanna see Rondo be aggressive no matter what..He can't be afraid to hog the ball, he's the point guard and he has more ability than he can imagine..

[DERRENMATTS]

Welcome Sexy Scottish.

RunRondo, exactly, I think Rondo feels obligated to give the ball to the Big 3 at all times and only take shots for himself when the ball makes its round around the court and lands back in his hands.

But he needs to realize that just like our Big 3, he is also an offensive weapon--he's got the ability to drive and finish. He absolutely needs to wake up and realize how dagerous he can be, and how beneficial he can be to the team the moment he becomes a scoring weapoin.

[DERRENMATTS]

Attack, Rondo, attack!!! We are much more dangerous when he's being aggressive. I think he's beginning to realize that he can be an offensive weapon on this team, even with our Big 3. 15 pts from him a game, and there will be no stopping us.

[runrondo]

I like that number you keep throwing out, 15..It's very realistic for Rondo to average if he becomes more consistent and like tonight(14pts) he really helps the offense have more open looks and run smoother if he's seen as a threat during the game..Nobody can keep him in check with his freakish athleticism and speed...


last 5 games he has averaged

14pts 6.4reb 4.0ast

[cfoo]

Rondo has been playing sweet the past several games. He needs to do a better job finishing around the rim but he is playing great and becoming a beast. I love that behind the back fake he's really started to get down. He's creating a lot of uncontested layups for himself. He's always been able to get where he wants to, but now he's doing it.

[DERRENMATTS]

And notice when Rondo is at his best--its when he's making things up as he goes. He's got tremendous instincts that really comes to the foreground when he uses his creativity. That rebound and putback against Nowitzki tonight was so quick and spontaneous, and that's when Rondo is at his best.

What I liked about Telfair (his moxie) is now starting to come into play in Rondo's game. He's getting some swagger and confidence in his ability. In a way, its been a blessing to have Garnett out--its allowed Rondo (and Powe and Tony) to step up his role, and his game, to a higher level.

[moreese]

Yes Rondo has been deferring all season. This has taken away from his best skill, attacking the rim. Playing with 3 hall of famers is not easy, but the rest from guys like KG and Allen will pay dividends for this team down the road. You can see the confidence growing in Rondo as he is showing himself, and more importantly the world that he can straight up ball. When the season started, this team was not assuming roles, they were almost playing pick up basketball, getting the ball to whoever was open and trusting him to make shots. We need to get back to that, this is not a team where people needed designated touches and shots, everyone we put in is more than capable, and I trust. This of course is with one exception, Brian Scalabrine, who I love as a person, but my god he needs to stop wasting Powe and Baby's minutes. Anytime Doc is just scared to play a young guy, he always talks about matchups. He was quoted as saying "I thought Dirk was too smart for Big Baby, so I didn't play him." Ok first of all, who says that about a player. He's basically calling Baby dumb? Secondly, Davis is one of our smartest players, so clearly Doc is just using yet another excuse to not play the better player. Scalabrine reminds me of the heady senior who has started all 4 years because his high school team was horrible. Then they get in 3 blue chip freshman who are headed to Division 1 Schools, but the coach starts the heady senior because he does the "little things." Meanwhile the 3 freshman are doing 360s in layup lines and the heady senior is tripping over the half court line. The bottom line is, the "intangibles" of the game are important, but just because you do those things doesn't mean you should be getting the minutes.