I have major questions about his playmaking ability, his ball-handling, and his basketball IQ. Still. When you play with three perennial All Stars, you don't have to do as much. Yeah, he plays the most important position on the floor, but when you have the luxury of playing with three guys who can create their own shot whenever they need to, the point guard position becomes less critical. Rondo still makes questionable decisions, even at his best. And he's a liability in the half court offense because he doesn't have a consistent jumpshot.
That said, he just turned 23 years old. His experience of playing on this team is the best experience he could have ever hoped for as a young point guard, but I'm not sold on Rondo as a good point guard.
Totally disagree. Rondo has the playmaking ability--the guy averages 8.5 assists this year on an average paced team--and this was already known out of college. He came in billed as a pure point guard, perhaps by necessity because he wasn't the greatest scorer, but his court vision had always appealed to me as he is really a master at the drive and kick and knows how to get the ball to the right people. Kentucky really repressed him--a lot--and his disappointment caused him to declare for the draft in his sophomore year. Even out of the draft day he was perceived as a very athletic guard with length, with very great stealing ability and defensive potential, as well as great rebounding ability (6.1 rpg as a sophomore) and passing ability. His athletic markers were through the roof, and what was more impressive was that unlike many, he made use of them BOTH offensively and defensively in college. And in terms of skills, he could already pass really well, and he can really finish around the basket and what's more, has the athletic ability, ballhandling skills and the speed to get there in the first place. He's fought half the battle and then some--he's not really the liability offensively many are making him out to be when he can slash and pass, and his defense has few if any holes. In fact, looking over this thread I really agree with what hrdboild said about Rondo. The only thing that was missing was
shooting--but that's the easiest to learn, and if not it's cheap to get a backup PG who can shoot anyway. So he was young, and there was already loads of intrigue. I really, really wanted him.
Rondo actually exemplifies the player I would like to draft--draft players who possess combinations of skills/physical tools that few playing his position possess in the NBA. It's a really rare case to find that sort of player, but Rondo had that athleticism/defense/passing combination that was already hard to find coming out of the draft. In fact, I saw
something similar in Russell Westbrook just in this year's draft, and had we gotten a higher pick I would be all for getting him. The fact is, Rondo fit the point guard mold already with his superior passing ability anyway. Scoring is commonplace, you can fill that out with other players. When those players come around, you pounce on them. Of course, the other player I would like to draft is far more common--drafting players with athleticism, potential, and excel in two or more skills that can translate well to the NBA.
As for any other team--would Rondo thrive there? I think he would. He can definitely orchestrate a team, and despite opponents sagging off him daring him to shoot all the time, it helps when you have the physical tools, quickness and decision making to even get to the basket in that scenario. Sure he gets turnovers, but nonetheless he posts a very good assist per turnover ratio. That defense was already there even before the Celts started winning, and he was amassing steals at a high rate with his long wingspan and knack for anticipation. So even while he can't score, his ability to keep the offense running and play smart D would've endeared him to many coaches. Even Mike D'Antoni might like him as a run and gun type who can actually D up on the other end, despite his inability to shoot. And he's fairly disciplined and doesn't get overly out of control as well; seems like he has a level head.
In fact, I think he's the x-factor for the Celtics team; if he gets injured somehow, they're really done. Not only does he involve himself in every assist and bring in the smothering D, there's no legitimate backup for him on that team.
...This thread is really about Quincy Douby and Geoff's drafting strategies, and we've talked about it many times; seems like every time Quincy has been brought up, I've
floated Rondo's name over and over again.
